CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL – To many active shoppers, Black Friday is one of the biggest highlights of the month of November and during the Thanksgiving season. In the past, Black Friday has always been quite a big phenomenon with stores full of shoppers eager to score some deals. However, with the pandemic still at large, many businesses won’t be having what is considered a traditional Black Friday experience.

This year, companies are making some pretty major changes to their procedures to ensure the safety and security of all shoppers.

“The changes this year are in place to help prevent shoppers from gathering inside stores, potentially causing the spread of coronavirus,” according to CNET.

Most companies are aiming to avoid the sizable crowds of customers that inevitably pack major retail stores every year on this day by giving customers more options with buying, pickup, and delivery, as well as extending the period for these sales.

“The shopping spectacular is getting a pandemic-induced makeover, with many major retailers starting their sales earlier than ever and ending them later,” according to CNN Business.

As deals will be extended over a period of time, companies have strategically started Black Friday sales early as well.

“Many major retailers – Best Buy, Walmart, and Target among them – have launched their Black Friday sales early, with deals being released in waves throughout the month to boost seasonal excitement and help customers shop as safely as possible,” according to USA Today.

There will also be more online deals that will take place over a longer period of time, something consumers have seen emerge over the last few years. However, this year companies are extending their online deals to a greater extent than shoppers have experienced in the past as a way to counter the possible spread of COVID-19, which would be more likely to occur during a typical Black Friday event.

“Black Friday has definitely transitioned more into a digital affair in the past five years,” claims Neil Saunders, a retail analyst and managing director at GlobalData Retail. “The focal point is not that single day anymore. It’s an event spread out over several days.”

Companies have decided to alter normal Black Friday procedures to avoid major risks of spreading COVID-19. While the rush of unbelievable deals may be thrilling, health and safety take priority in uncertain times.