Stores ready to get back in Black: Shoppers will deck the malls for post-Thanksgiving sales

Destin retailers preparing for Black Friday say they are optimistic about the holiday shopping season despite the lagging economy.

“We’re actually expecting a better turn-out than last year,” said Angela Triplett, public relations manager at Silver Sands Factory Outlets. “Everyone is in a hunt for a value right now, which makes the center extremely popular.”

Silver Sands will be opening at 12 a.m. on Friday for their second year of Midnight Madness. The doors will close at 9 p.m. Triplett said the center had double-digit increases in traffic last Black Friday, hosting about 60,000 shoppers throughout the day.

She said the response was so overwhelming that stores have prepared even more than in years past, with some bringing on between 50 and 70 additional employees for the season. About 30 stores in the center are still hiring holiday help.

Best Buy in Destin is also hiring more holiday help than last year. Stephen Watford, general manager of Best Buy, said he will have about 100 employees working on Black Friday.

“It’s all hands on deck,” Watford said. “I think sales are going to be a lot stronger than last year.”

Watford said some of the hot items shoppers are looking for include flat panel televisions and digital e-readers.

He also expects to see a lot of people buying laptops due to the fact that they’re priced considerably lower than they have been in the past.

Target in Destin also expects to sell a lot of electronics on Friday, according to Corey Booth, executive team leader for Target. But he said the majority of calls coming in from consumers are about the hot toys for the year, Zhu Zhu Pets and Mind Flex.

Booth said he expects sales this Friday to be about the same as last year.

Target and Best Buy will be opening their doors at 5 a.m. on Black Friday, with Target staying open until 11 p.m. and Best Buy closing at 10 p.m.

In addition to extended hours, Destin retailers are offering a variety of special deals and entertainment for shoppers braving the crowds. Some stores in Silver Sands Factory Outlets will be offering 40 to 50 percent off everything in the store, and the center will be giving out six $1,000 shopping sprees between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Tommy Hilfiger in Silver Sands will even have a DJ spinning live music outside of the store.

“We really try to make Black Friday a true shopping event,” Triplett said.

Target will also have some good deals for shoppers, offering free gift cards with purchases and good deals on trendy merchandise. Booth said this year they’re running the most diverse sales they have ever run, with items in every department in the store marked down.

Destin Commons, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday with the exception of Belk, which opens from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Bass Pro Shop, which opens from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., will be hosting Santa Claus from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Friday. In addition, the shopping center will be lit up Norman Rockwell style, with an exhibit of the artist’s work located near Panera Bread.

“Shoppers are looking for sales, specials and promotions,” said Kristina Trujillo, director of marketing for Destin Commons. “We have a very positive outlook and are confident this will be a successful holiday season.”