KAILUA-KONA — Stores in Kona were packed with bargain seekers Friday as holiday shopping got into full swing.
Black Friday sales began Thursday at many retailers — however, it appeared this year that some shoppers decided to forego the Thanksgiving frenzy, spend time with family and hit the stores on Friday.
“It’s crazier today than yesterday,” said Kona Target store director Mike Gustafson.
Gustafson said although the store was busy Thanksgiving night, online orders topped 1,000. Rather than standing in line to get a deal, shoppers could place their order online and pick up at the store, avoiding long lines at the register.
Gustafson said instead of the limited quantities of door-busters customers have been used to, this year the store had enough inventory to stock the two-day sale.
“Toys, electronics, Apple products, appliances and ping-pong tables are the most popular items this year,” he said.
Oriana Brown was shopping with Laukoa Fruean and Kahiau Perriera. They came to the store specifically for a dinosaur toy, but their cart was filling with other deals.
“We’re just walking around and when we see something we like that’s a good deal, we get it,” said Fruean.
Based on the crowd, they weren’t the only ones.
Gustafson said the Kona Target continues to grow and break sales records, far above the national average.
Joy Hanato was making the rounds for good deals. After shopping for $4 T-shirts at Target, she headed to Walmart with her daughters to get underwear and pajamas.
“Got to go where the deals are,” she said.
