McALLEN — Black Friday has been an American tradition for decades, but as time passes, it seems as though the tradition is slowly evolving in response to the digital age and a post-COVID world.
Traditionally, Black Friday is the Friday that follows Thanksgiving Day. It’s a specific time of year when retailers cut prices and offer customers special deals on products. But in recent years, retailers have been dishing out those deals sooner — at the beginning of the week rather than the Friday after the national holiday.
As such, the traditional Black Friday label has been rendered somewhat obsolete, but Academy Sports + Outdoors is one retailer making the argument to keep the phrase around.
“We have hot deals that started from Sunday and they’re going to end until Sunday as well, but we have some doorbusters today,” 48-year-old Rolando Flores, the logistics manager for the Academy located off of Expressway 83, said about deals that are too good to pass up.
“What makes it more exciting is we have some firearms and some ride-ons and some trampolines, swing sets that are good deals.”
Flores, who’s been working at Academy for three years, said trampolines, swing sets and other products that cater to children are what sell the most, and they’re usually bought as presents for Christmas.
Veronica Sanchez, a 32-year-old customer from Mexico, said it was her first time shopping on Black Friday. She was looking to buy outdoor apparel for her family’s golf outings.
Though she was enjoying her time shopping, she said she believes more people are buying goods online. However, she opted to buy in-person because the merchandise can’t be shipped to Mexico.
McAllen resident David Gomez, 66, was also Christmas shopping for his wife and son, but he wasn’t particularly fond of the retailers’ holiday.
“Well, look, I don’t like it at all,” Gomez said about Black Friday. “I like for people to wake up early and all, but it’s not a priority for me.”
Gomez said he was watching TV early Friday morning when he decided to visit his favorite store to see what he could find for Christmas gifts.
He also echoed the same sentiments as Sanchez regarding online shopping.
Mike Valdez, a 47-year-old Mission resident, was shopping for a treadmill with his wife, who was adamant it was not going to be considered her Christmas gift. The couple said they buy Thursday’s issue of The Monitor to find the best deals for Black Friday.
Valdez recalled Black Fridays of years past and the chaotic nature of the tradition.
“Compared to years before, it used to get hectic,” Valdez said. “I remember one time at HEB, there was a line and it was people just wanting to rush in.
“There’s nothing like that anymore.”
Valdez added that he enjoys the extended week-long sales rather than just being a one-day thing because it’s less frenzied.
Flores, the manager, said he’s also noticed the difference compared to years past.
“As far as people lining up and things like that, it has trickled down,” Flores said. “We see it inside the store, but right now we have our online service.”
Flores said the store had 400 online orders ready to go once they opened early Friday morning.
“Some of them choose to do it online and some of them choose to come in-store,” Flores said. “It’s half and half, but still, it’s a little more on the online side.”
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