Shoppers hoping to land a deal lined up at stores across the county beginning Thursday evening as retailers kicked off this year's Black Friday events.
Several department stores, such as Macy’s, J.C. Penny’s, and Wal-Mart, opened their doors for shoppers on Thanksgiving night, for the first time.
The move seemed to result in less chaos among shoppers on Friday morning.
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
“We’re looking for stuff for our baby and ourselves - just trying to get the best deal possible,” one shopper told NBC 7 San Diego at the Carlsbad Outlets. “We’re out here early because I'm sure it will be packed in a minute.”
"Everyone's always out here to get a good deal too, so there's no need try and fight people over it," said another shopper.
While those hunting for a deal may have enjoyed the earlier start time, opening on Thanksgiving didn’t sit well with some employees who preferred to spend the day with family.
Officials at Wal-Mart said there were benefits to working the holiday shifts.
Local
“The shifts for Thanksgiving and Black Friday are very competitive,” said Rachel Wall, a Wal-Mart employee. “ We offer holiday pay, we offer warm meals during every shift, and associates who work during that time get an additional 25 percent off an entire purchase.”
Following in the footsteps of last year's Black Friday, 1500 protests have been planned by Wal-Mart employees on Friday around the country.
The employees were going to protest low wages and limited benefits for the giant chain, who employ around 1.4 million people across the nation.
Last year's protests mobilized around 30,000 employees and supporters.
PHOTOS: Outrageous Black Friday Behavior
Meanwhile, a few incidents were reported.
A man was stabbed during a Black Friday event at a North County mall early Friday morning. Carlsbad police arrested and detained an 18-year-old suspect in connection with the stabbing, and were searching for another suspect.
In La Mesa, police say two people were trying to shoplift several items from a Target store in Grossmont Center. According to police the pair were caught on a security camera.
To help prevent crime, the San Diego County Sheriff's deparment kicked off a "Holiday Watch" program this week at various shopping centers throughout the county. The patrols, which will include searches for drunk drivers, will last throughout the Christmas season.
MORE BLACK FRIDAY STORIES:
• Black Friday Brawl Breaks Out at Calif. Walmart
• Man Pepper Sprayed After Argument at NJ Walmart
• Officer Dragged, Driver Shot Outside Kohl's Store in Ill.
• PHOTOS: Outrageous Black Friday Behavior
• Holiday Survival Guide: 12 Tips for Thanksgiving Travel
