TAMPA, Fla. — Today is Black Friday, and it could be slower than last year.
The National Retail Federation forecasts that nearly 187 million people, will shop online or in stores between Thanksgiving and Monday.
That’s fewer than the near-record number it reported in 2024.
What You Need To Know
Hundreds of people were lined up outside of Bass Pro Shops to get a mystery gift card
People lined up as early as 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving
Going to Bass Pro Shops on Black Friday has been a tradition for many families
However, right here in Tampa Bay people have been lining up outside some stores to get Black Friday deals.
Managers at the Bass Pro Shops in Tampa said it’s one of the biggest turnouts the store has had on Black Friday in the last several years.
Hundreds of people piled into the store when it opened at 5 a.m..
The line to get in was wrapped around the building to the backside. Managers have estimated there were between 200 and 400 people.
Almost everyone in line got here early this morning in hopes of getting a $500 gift card. The store gave out mystery gift cards to the first 250 people. The cards were valued between $10 and $500.
Everyone in line had high hopes that they would be the lucky grand prize winner.
People lined up as early as 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving to make sure they secured their card.
“We are out here trying to get a $10 gift card at Bass Pro … we thought he would be one of the first people, it’s wrapped around the building, so we figured it’d be popular,” said Haily Schultz, Black Friday Shopper.
Shoppers were bundled up in blankets and hoodies to try to stay warm.
When people finally got into the store, there were shouts of excitement. Shoppers opened their gift card envelopes to see how much they got.
For many shoppers, coming to Bass Pro Shops on Black Friday is a long running tradition and for others this was the start of a new one.