Despite the lure of drastically reduced prices, yesterday’s local Black Friday sales failed to draw huge crowds as was the case last year.
Some customers polled complained that advertised sale prices were even higher than before.
In 2014, throngs of shoppers flocked to PriceSmart where there was a mad rush for the best deals. Eventually, police had to be called in to control the over-excited shoppers.
However, perhaps feeling the bite of the fall in oil prices, customers did not seem so eager to grab items off the shelves this year.
Mixed among the sales of $1,000 off smart televisions and 50 per cent off shoes were $500 and $200 increases on items, tactically marked as discounted.
“This isn’t really living up to the hype,” 23-year-old Sarah Bartholomew said yesterday.
Standing with four bags from three different stores in her hands, Bartholomew said she was shopping because of the sale but added that some stores weren’t being honest.
“I bought a suitcase over there last month,” Bartholomew said while pointing to an apparel store in Price Plaza, Chaguanas.
“When I purchased it then, I paid around $500 for it. Today it has a discount of 33 per cent off and the discounted price is over $700. How is that possible? I didn’t know discounts meant prices increase.”
Bartholomew began her shopping activities at 6 am outside PriceSmart, Chaguanas.
“My mother made me go with her and only a few things were on sale. Not the food stuff. Just some electronics.”
In the US, Black Friday is the day after the Thanksgiving holiday and the official start of the holiday shopping season.
Over the years the day, noted for huge shopping discounts, have spread outside of the US to Europe, Latin America and now the Caribbean.
While the shopping day on occasion incites violence among competitive shoppers, Trinbagonians are too busy spending to fight.
At PriceSmart’s La Romaine outlet, a steady stream of customers flowed in and out, most pushing trollies laden with smart TV’s.
There was a noticeable police presence and most shoppers seemed to be going about their regular Friday shopping.
Several shoppers told the T&T Guardian that this year’s deals were not as they expected.
“I was hoping for bigger discounts, but there are hardly any good deals,” said one customer.
Another customer beamed from behind his new 42-inch smart TV and happily disagreed.
“No partner, don’t say that. You know how long I waiting for one of this?” he asked, gesturing to the boxed TV in his arms.
Deal or no deal, most customers seemed happy the local business community had caught on to the Black Friday sales trend.