Black Friday shoppers hunt for bargains despite inflation in BrandsMart

Black Friday shoppers took advantage of the holiday bargain at BrandsMart USA in Pinecrest despite inflation that raised prices on almost everything.

The place opened its doors from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and reopened at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.

“I’m all about Black Friday shopping, I come every year to shop for myself and my family,” said Daniel Junquera, 34, a shopper from Cutler Bay. “I think this year it’s starting to pick up compared to last year because of COVID-19 but I don’t think Black Friday will ever be as crazy as it once was.”

The National Retail Federation predicted that more than 166 million people shopping nationwide between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, having 8 million more shoppers than last year.

Shoppers showed up with a game plan allowing her to make strategic purchases.

“This is the day I wait for to do all my Christmas shopping,” said Diana Mendez, 60, who purchased three iPads on sale for each of her grandchildren, saving over $100. “I came with my list, so I knew what I need to get, for who, and the sale item price. My advice is to always come prepared.”

As inflation pinches home budgets, Americans from low-income households are expected to shop less this year as they face a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

 “This is an interesting time for the economy, because we do have on one hand really fast inflation that is eroding consumer confidence, making things more difficult,” wrote Jeanna Smialek, Federal Reserve and economics reporter for The New York Times. “Things became much more difficult for people on limited income to afford presents, necessities, everything that they want to buy in their everyday lives,”

Some shoppers took advantage of BrandsMart financing sale which offers a 0% interest for up to 60 months for some purchases, giving shoppers the chance to spend now and pay later.

“I saw the sale for the LG smart TV with the 0% interest rate so it made sense to come and get it,” said Ivan Picon, 53, a salesman from Westchester.  “Like yeah, money might be a little tight with the cost of living in Miami but this is something the whole family will enjoy and it’s a really great deal.”

Lauren Wurts is a Latina Junior at FIU majoring in Journalism/ Communications. She hopes to work as a news reporter and work her way up to Producing. She is bilingual and enjoys covering entertainment, sports and activism stories.