Five years ago, it was unheard of to shop on Thanksgiving Day. ADVERTISING Five years ago, it was unheard of to shop on Thanksgiving Day. That changed in 2011, when several large chains announced they would begin their holiday sales
Five years ago, it was unheard of to shop on Thanksgiving Day.
Five years ago, it was unheard of to shop on Thanksgiving Day.
That changed in 2011, when several large chains announced they would begin their holiday sales at midnight, the stroke of Black Friday.
Since then, more retailers jumped on board, with store openings moved still earlier to Thanksgiving itself.
That’s the case this year in Hilo, with several “big box” stores open for business starting this evening.
As Macy’s, Office Max, Sears, Sports Authority, Target, Walgreens and Wal-Mart all begin their holiday sales at 6 p.m. today, some people might not even be finished with their turkey.
But on Friday and Saturday, after the doorbuster frenzy subsides, the spotlight lands on the Big Island’s mom-and-pop stores. Small Business Saturday, a 6-year-old effort kick-started by American Express, keeps the focus local.
“The money that is spent in small businesses, and particularly locally owned small businesses, regenerates and recirculates in our community much more than at the big stores,” said Judi Mellon, director of the Hawaii Small Business Development Network, which provides consulting for island businesses.
Mellon cited a 2014 study by Localism By the Numbers that found 48 percent of the money spent at independent retailers recirculates into the local economy, as compared to 14 percent spent at national chains.
“Our money circulates, we create local jobs, we help our environment more, it nurtures our community,” Mellon said.
Shopping closer to home has been on the rise in Hawaii. A recent Yelp and Harris Poll survey named Honolulu the No. 2 city in the nation for shopping local.
“I have to say that we’re really excited about that because it just shows how much pride and loyalty our community has in the retailers here,” said Sheri Sakamoto, executive director of Retail Merchants of Hawaii.
“Last year, we did notice people saying they want to support more of their local businesses,” said Tammy Bennett, owner of Fabric Impressions in downtown Hilo. She mentioned a cruise ship customer who recently came in to buy a quilt calendar instead of purchasing it onboard the ship.
“With our products, a lot of people appreciate our ready-made things because we make them here,” Bennett said.
By Tuesday, Bennett already posted a Small Business Saturday poster on the front door. American Express provided other trappings, such as a welcome mat and tote bags; Bennett planned to give the bags to some of the first customers on Black Friday.
“In my opinion, it’s really great for our economy,” Sakamoto said of the unofficial holiday. She and Mellon said the economy in general is improving, if slowly.
“Overall, people are feeling pretty optimistic about the economy,” Mellon said. “There are hiring signs in Hilo. That’s exciting.”
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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Holiday shopping hours for large retailers
• Sears: 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day until 2 a.m. Friday
• Target: 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day until 11 p.m. Friday
• Macy’s: 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; midnight until 10 p.m. Friday
• Walgreens: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday
• Office Max/Office Depot: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
• Kmart (Kailua-Kona): 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m Thanksgiving Day; midnight to 11:00 p.m. Friday
• Sports Authority: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thanksgiving Day; 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday
• Wal-Mart: 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; 5 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday
• Ben Franklin Crafts: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
• Home Depot: Closed Thanksgiving Day; opens 6 a.m. Friday
