In person Black Friday shopping still a big draw for certain Savannah retailers

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Some of you may be planning your Black Friday shopping; it’s a major retailer’s long standing tradition in Savannah.

Stores across Savannah are gearing up for the crowds. Bass Pro Shops is no exception. The staff at the Savannah mall say people will be lining up well before sunrise.

Assistant General Manager Michael Clifton says, “We’ll probably have over 1000 people within that first 15 minutes.”

The first 250 customers through the doors at 5 a.m. will get a mystery promo card. This Savannah location has several of these cards, and employees say they usually go fast. According to the National Retail Federation, holiday spending this year could top one trillion dollars for the first time. They expect roughly 187 million people to shop between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Beyond the Black Friday rush, Bass Pro Shops is leaning into the family side of the season. Their Santa’s Wonderland setup is already drawing parents and kids for free photos with Santa and holiday activities, something staff say has become a tradition for many families here in Savannah.

Santa says, “Oh it’s been wonderful. I mean it’s Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in Savannah, Georgia? Who could ask for more?”

For many, Friday isn’t just about the early deals, it’s about kicking off the holidays together.