Black Friday Sales Kick Off Holiday Shopping Season at WestFarms Mall
WestFarms Mall is buzzing with excitement as shoppers dive into a new era of holiday shopping, with bright signs advertising Black Friday sales already drawing crowds. Doreen Piscitelli from Newington expressed her enthusiasm: "We usually walk the mall, but while we are here, we are getting all the good sales and starting our Christmas shopping."
Amanda Sirica, a spokesperson for WestFarms, notes that the once traditional one-day sale has evolved into an extended shopping season. “With Thanksgiving falling late in November this year, we have only four weeks to complete our holiday shopping,” she said.
Shoppers have embraced this extended time frame, appreciating the opportunity to avoid the notorious long lines of Black Friday. Piscitelli added, “It’s great because it’s before Black Friday, so we’re taking advantage of the sales now and not dealing with the crowds.” Waterbury resident Jocelyn Tolentino echoed this sentiment, expressing relief at the current shopping atmosphere, “Right now it’s not so packed… I can look for what I want without the madness.”
However, as shopping shifts online, caution is advised. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Connecticut reports a rise in online shopping scams, with 87% of those targeted losing an average of $100. BBB Director of Communication Kristen Johnson urges shoppers to be vigilant, especially online. She recommends checking the website URL for signs of security, like "HTTPS" and a lock symbol.
Scammers often use social media to entice shoppers with fake advertisements that mirror legitimate retailers. Johnson emphasized the importance of scrutiny when clicking links. The BBB offers a Scam Tracker to allow consumers to report potential scams and protect others.
As Black Friday approaches, the excitement at WestFarms Mall is palpable, but awareness of online safety is equally vital for a successful shopping season.
Source
Photo credit www.nbcconnecticut.com
