Gap and Radio Shack have started Black Friday deals earlier than other stores. (Photo : Reuters)
Clothing retailer The Gap and electronics seller Radio Shack have started Black Friday deals earlier than other stores as the traditional impact of Black Friday is seemingly about to disappear.
Instead of beginning the blockbuster deals on Black Friday, Nov. 27, several retailers have taken advantage of the early consumer interest for promos and various products.
The Gap already placed a sign on the company's stores on Nov. 20, Friday, about the 50 percent discount for Gap cardholders and the 40 percent off for those who do not have the card, according to New York Post.
The multinational clothing and accessories retailer has recently suffered from poor third quarter sales this year. Even The Gap's sister company, Banana Republic, had its sales drop by 12 percent for the third quarter.
American chain store Radio Shack, on the other hand, will start the holiday season promos on Nov. 18, Wednesday, a day before Thanksgiving.
Michael Tatelman, the company's chief marketing officer, hopes that beginning Radio Shack's deals before Black Friday would allow consumers to properly weigh decisions about buying the right products from the electronics chain store.
Radio Shack already filed for bankruptcy back in February and is in dire need of revenue.
Likewise, the move of various companies and retailers to start earlier than Black Friday seems to point to the weakening hold of Black Friday as the official start of holiday sales, according to Chicago Tribune.
During the past Black Friday celebrations, people would wake up early so they could fall in line just before the stores opened. Once the retailers allowed the customers in, chaos would ensue as each individual ran towards various products that were incredibly cheap at the time.
However, this year's Black Friday deals are not only starting earlier than the day itself, but also retailers have come to depend on online stores to sell goods properly. About 135.8 million people will shop either online or directly in stores.
Retail giants Wal-Mart and Target are both going to offer the same discounts online so people do not have to suffer in long lines anymore.
In addition, analysts predict that Cyber Monday would sell more products than Black Friday, Thanksgiving, and Small Business Saturday.
With holiday deals starting earlier than Black Friday and a shift toward online shopping, the tradition of Black Friday has altogether changed.
