Blenheim retailers and shoppers gear up for Black Friday, but not everyone is sold on it

Thursday, 28 November 2019

As Black Friday hits Kiwi stores, Blenheim shoppers and retailers are on the fence over the overseas day of cut-price goods.

The post-Thanksgiving Day of sales, usually the biggest day for early Christmas shopping in the United States, last year beat Boxing Day sale figures in New Zealand.

But in Blenheim's central business district, some retailers are lacking the rabid enthusiasm that has made Black Friday notorious overseas.

Mitchell Sports Power owner Robin Mitchell said small businesses like his would struggle to meet demand.

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Greg Hall owner of #Fresh is ready to negotiate the price for his customers but has never put any item on sale since he has owned the store.

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Liann Scott is happy with the Black Friday sales, saying it gave her time to shop before the Christmas rush.

'Black Friday is fine for businesses who want to work in business that way, but we prefer to concentrate on quality service and good stock level.

'It's very hard for us to give across the board discounts, and that style of business doesn't suit us at all.'

Fresh owner Greg Hall said that he had owned the shop for seven years and had never put anything on sale, but if his customers wanted the product from his store, he was always ready to negotiate.

Macpac sales rep Nikayla Gree, left, and store manager Brendon Gee are looking forward to the busy Black Friday weekend.

'It's not about the price, it's about giving good services to the customers and trying to give them the product they really want,' he said.

Shopper Liann Scott said she thought Black Friday was very good time to shop before pre-Christmas chaos set in.

'I think it's amazing, I am really impressed … I like Black Friday because it's not as busy, Christmas is bit nutty.'

Red Cross is having a Red FRI YAY sale instead of Black Friday Sale.

A Stuff poll on Neighbourly showed 50 per cent of respondents refused to take advantage of Black Friday sales because it was a United States tradition, while 35.7 per cent still weren't sure what it actually meant, at the time of publication.

Bed, Bath & Beyond manager Christine MacDonald said she was looking forward for a 'flat out' weekend ahead, possibly busier then the Boxing Day sale.

'We love it, it gets people out and about and it's a nice happy shopping experience for us as well as our customers.'

Macpac Blenheim store manager Brendon Gee said it was a good sale and 'brings a lot of people into the town' and he was expecting a busy store.

'I wouldn't say it is going to be like Boxing Day, but it is meant to be very busy.'

Red Cross national retail manager Talei Kitcheingman said Red Cross was calling it a 'Red FRI YAY!' instead of Black Friday.

'We are just having a little bit of fun and creating some interest in our shops and making specials for our customers.'