Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - While it's a 'Black Friday' like no other, there are still hints and signs of the more traditional retail rush that occurs on this symbolic kickoff to the all-important holiday shopping season.
Parking lots WBEN visited outside many big box stores and malls were busy but not packed during the pre-dawn and early morning hours but there were some of those 'Black Friday' deals that drew lines of shoppers gathering during the overnight hours.
The PlayStation 5 is perhaps the hottest ticket nationwide and there was word a very limited supply was available at local GameStop locations across the Buffalo region. Lines formed outside many of the local GameStop outlets, including the Cheektowaga location where WBEN observed about thirty anxious shoppers waiting to get through the doors early Friday morning.
GameStop doors opened at 7am Friday and another hot ticket in store and online was the Xbox Series X. The rush on the stores is for availability, not deals as discounts on the popular gaming systems are unlikely. The lines at GameStop dissipated quickly when the doors opened and it was quickly learned the game consoles sold out quickly.
Retailers in general say Black Friday remains an important benchmark in the holiday shopping cycle. Experts say it's all about getting consumers in the buying mood.
"Black Friday is still critical," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. "No retailer wants it to be tarnished. It's still vital to get their consumers spending and get consumers into the holiday mood."
