Well it’s sorta a tradition that I drive my wife and girls (mrs doesn’t like driving at night) and along the way we pick up a free snow globe at jc penny’s. This year crowds were way down. And I don’t think it was because of early shopping. Even the stores that opened later had plenty of parking this year where in the past I might have to drop them at the door and then circle for a bit. My impression is black Friday may leave the retailers still in the red.
I suspect the retailers are hurting and that's the reason for the early hours this year. It's just a ploy to get as many customers in as they can but too many people just don't have the money these days. There's a couple little things the kids need (as opposed to want) but I'm having to wait to get past a huge car repair bill. Everyone else is getting homemade zero cost to me gifts so Wally World isn't going to get out of the red with my wallet.