Perspectives: Black Friday in a Pandemic

Each year, retail stores gear up for their busiest time of year as Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season. Customers typically gather in line outside of packed stores to get discounts on retail items. But this year, crowds at malls and stores were reportedly low as customers shift to buying gifts online. Many retail stores heightened their COVID-19 coronavirus safety protocols to reassure customers about shopping on Black Friday, while others closed their doors and moved sales completely online; some expressed concern for the economy as the surge in COVID-19 cases threatens the economy’s recovery from the plunge in the spring. Outlets from across the spectrum covered the smaller Black Friday crowds and the increase in online shopping. Some left-rated outlets highlighted the potential for large crowds to spread the virus; some right- and center-rated sources focused on retail stores that had been hurt by the pandemic counting on Black Friday to boost their sales.