Many Black Friday shoppers lined up at Toys R Us in Times Square, after the store moved its holiday doorbusters up to the earliest time ever — 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
“It’s like a religion,” said Danielle Crews, 30, who has shopped almost religious every Black Friday for the past five years. Want to know how long some would wait for? This enthusiastic client waited in line at Toys R Us starting at 6 p.m.
“I’ll squeeze in Thanksgiving, but then I probably won’t get home again until 12 noon tomorrow.”
At Toys R Us, the deals started with a surplus of more than 200 doorbusters, including a $20 store gift card and $30 iTunes card with the purchase of an Apple iPod touch.
Many electronics were on sale and many buy one get one free purchases were to be had.
Heather Singleton, 34, also lined up early to get the WiiU, not to give as a gift — but to sell on eBay.
“I heard it’s really popular this year. We’ll decide later if we want to keep it or sell it to pay for our other Christmas gifts,” she said. She did the same with the Xbox and Wii in prior years, and was able to earn $50 to $100 each by reselling the items online after they were sold out in some stores.
“Our customers love the earlier opening,” said Toys R Us CEO Jerry Storch.
Nationwide, perhaps due to the faltering economy, less shoppers are anticipated to be shopping in stores this Black Friday weekend, but sales are nevertheless expected to be strong.
Johnny Prowitt, 21, says she will spend approximately $500 on gifts for his 4-year-old daughter Angelina, including a LeapPad 2 tablet, Disney Princess dresses and a mermaid Dora the Explorer doll.
“I spoil her. She’s my princess,” he said. “I worked all day today and I missed Thanksgiving to make sure I can get gifts for her. But it’s okay. There’s a plate of leftovers waiting for me when I get home.”
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