Merchants gear up for Black Friday customers

Holiday sales are beginning early this year as retailers attempt to get an edge over the competition due to a shorter holiday shopping season.

“We strongly encourage residents to shop locally in Fallon before they move onto Reno or Carson City,” said Natalie Parrish, executive director of the Fallon Chamber of Commerce. “We have created incentives for individuals who participate in the Live Local Fallon and shop here.”

Rick Gray, executive director of Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority, said residents are able to go to any of the 150 businesses that participate in Live Local Fallon, make a purchase and start their passport that day.

“Resident are able to pick up a passport now and start it,” Gray said. “In June there will be a drawing for residents who have turned in their completed months for a chance to win a car.”

Gray said Live Local Fallon really encourages residents to support Fallon’s economy and it’s small business owners.

Parrish said examples of the incentives for residents to shop locally are as follows; if residents spend $15 three stamps are awarded in the respective category and if residents spend $30 six stamps are awarded in the respective category. Receiving stamps helps complete the months for residents with passports.

More retailers will open on Thanksgiving night. As with any Black Friday, retailers say it’s best to be an early bird; however, be aware that motivated shoppers will seize the best deals Thursday night.

According to Walmart’s website their Black Friday specials start Thanksgiving at 6 p.m. and will have a second wave of specials at 8 p.m. From 6-7 p.m. Walmart will be having a one-hour “in-stock guarantee” on selected items.

If any of the items sell out in the first hour, shoppers will be able to purchase a guarantee card to ensure the item will ship to the store before Christmas. All guarantee cards are limited to one per customer and per item; specials start at 8 a.m. on Black Friday.

Shoppers can also check out Walmart’s website for their Black Friday week specials that are happening now.

The Fallon Sears store has its deals Thursday through Sunday. The store will be open Thanksgiving evening from 7 p.m.–midnight, Black Friday 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. All appliances will be up to 40 percent off, and everything else in the store will be up to 20 percent off.

“Last year we sold $42,000 in items in two days,” said Fallon Sears store manager Bob Clay. “We’re hopeful we will be able to do just as well, if not better this year.”

Several stores are keeping tradition alive, however, and sticking with Black Friday as the start of their sales.

GameStop will open their doors for the restless shoppers from midnight-9 p.m. on Black Friday. Dylan Brook, senior game adviser said the new PlayStation4 (PS4) and Xbox One will be on shelves in the store while supplies last. Savings range anywhere from 10–50 percent off of certain items. Also, shopper should look for their online deals.

Big R, a ranch, farm and home supply store, will be open Friday for its normal 7 a.m.-7 p.m. business hours. The store will offer deals from 20 percent off clothing, jewelry and toys and 10 percent off on all other items in the store. Manager Loretta Haman said residents have already stopped in to write down their wish list and map out their route.

“We had a great turn out last year and expect it to be bigger this year,” Haman said.

Louie’s Home Center will be open for normal business hours 7 a.m.–7 p.m. on Black Friday. From 7 a.m.–10 a.m. regularly priced items will be 20 percent off and Saturday 50 percent off of one regularly priced item under $30.

“I believe we will have a better year this year than we did last,” said Cal Bushek, general manager.

Radio Shack is open from 8 a.m.–10 p.m. with a variety of sales on electronic items featured. A spokesman for Radio Shack said shoppers are able to shop two ways, online on Thursday or in store on Friday and Saturday with savings up to 75 percent on selected store items.