Hamilton County Shoppers Gear Up for Black Friday

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The excitement of one of the busiest shopping days of the year is palpable as shoppers flood the stores this Black Friday morning, eagerly seeking out incredible deals.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), a record number of shoppers are expected to hit both online and physical stores from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, with an estimated 183.4 million people participating in this retail extravaganza.

This anticipated figure surpasses last year's record of 182 million and reflects a significant increase of 18.1 million shoppers compared to five years ago in 2019.

At Cabela’s in Noblesville, store managers reported that eager customers began lining up at midnight for the doors to open at 5 a.m. Nearly 300 people were waiting by the time they opened their gates.

Meanwhile, JCPenney at the Hamilton Town Center was equally bustling as shoppers filled the aisles right after opening.

“Being a military family we travel a lot, so we were able to do Black Friday shopping in Texas, Georgia, or other places," one shopper shared. "Here has been very welcoming where it hasn’t been a lot of crowds.”

The NRF highlights that many consumers are drawn to shop during these five days primarily due to unbeatable deals and the tradition of holiday shopping over Thanksgiving weekend.

“It was my kid’s first time Black Friday shopping,” another shopper recounted. “It was fun for them to have their first experience; he wanted more than just shoes—he wanted clothes too!”

As we look ahead, holiday spending is projected to reach unprecedented levels this November and December, with growth estimates between 2.5% and 3.5%, totaling between $979.5 billion and $989 billion.