ENID — Customers seeking Black Friday holiday bargains packed into Enid businesses early and often.
Larger retail stores, such as those located in Oakwood Mall, opened their doors early and saw steady business all day, with door-buster deals and special events keeping customers around, said Kelly Goodwin, Oakwood Mall general manager.
“We had customers lined up for our opening at 4 a.m. The mall has been completely full of people,” Goodwin said. “Our attendance at the mall has been a record today and I predict we have set some of the highest sales for the year.”
The deals and bargains weren’t limited to the larger retail stores, as locally owned businesses also competed for customers. Charla Miller, owner of CM Miller in downtown Enid, said business had been steady throughout the day.
“As the day gets closer and closer to Enid Lights Up the Plains, we get busier and busier,” Miller said. “We will be open until the event is over.”
Locally owned For You! also reported steady business during Black Friday. For You! offered up to half-off sales Friday, said owner Mona Ward.
“We started off slow today but business eventually picked up,” Ward said.
The National Retail Federation expected 152 million customers to visit stores and websites Black Friday weekend, up from 132 million in 2010.
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said it appeared early morning openings had been well worth it for retailers.
“It seems as though many holiday shoppers believed that deals were too good to pass up regardless of who they were shopping for — themselves or others.” Shay said.
NRF estimates holiday sales will increase 2.8 percent this year to $465 billion. NRF’s holiday sales forecast is based on an economic model using indicators like housing data, unemployment and previous monthly retail sales reports and includes retail industry sales from November and December.