Thanksgiving, Black Friday 2018: Mall Hours Around Tampa Bay

TAMPA, FL - The race is on for the biggest bargains and hottest gifts this holiday season.

This year's post-turkey shopping frenzy and Black Friday gift grab are expected to generate $5.80 billion for American retailers, up 15.31 percent from last year's $5.57 billion perennial buying spree, according to BestBlackFriday.com, a website that follows holiday shopping-related trends and statistics.

Add that to the anticipated $3.35 billion consumers are expected to spend on Thanksgiving Day.

This is good news for Tampa Bay malls, which are preparing for the onslaught of bargain hunters with expanded hours, free transportation from remote parking areas and thousands of seasonal employees.

According to the National Retail Federation, more 164 million people are expected to do some holiday shopping between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday.

“This holiday season, retailers will experience the growing purchasing power of Gen Z and millennials,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Whether they are still in college or raising children, these consumer groups embrace the tradition of prior generations and take full advantage of Thanksgiving weekend deals both online and in stores.”

While 77 percent of all consumers surveyed by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics said they would spend the same or more this year, 43 percent of young adults ages 18-24 and 38 percent of those 25-34 said they would spend more. Only 9 percent of those 65 and older are planning to spend more.

Getting great deals isn't the only motivation for hitting the malls this weekend.

According to Prosper Insights & Analytics, 35 percent of people say they shop Thanksgiving weekend because it's a family tradition. Another 23 percent say they head to the stores to take in the holiday decorations and displays.

"We're seeing a lot of consumers report tradition and the opportunity to partake in holiday cheer as reasons for shopping," Prosper principal analyst Pam Goodfellow said. "For Gen Z, the holiday shopping weekend is a can't-miss opportunity. This group overwhelmingly sees in-store shopping as a valuable way to connect with others, be it friends, family or store associates at their favorite retailers."

Nevertheless, the allure of the deal is the primary reason people tolerate standing in long lines, fighting crowds and battling traffic jams on Thanksgiving weekend, she said.

For Tampa Bay residents who are planning Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping sprees, here's a rundown of the hours the malls will be open Nov. 22-23:

• International Plaza and Bay Street, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa – Thanksgiving, closed; Black Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Westfield Citrus Park, 8021 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa – Thanksgiving, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Black Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tampa Bay Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz – Thanksgiving, 6 to 11:59 p.m.; Black Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Westfield Countryside, 27001 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater – Thanksgiving, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Black Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• University Mall, 2200 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa - Thursday, closed; Black Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Westfield Brandon, 459 Brandon Town Center, Brandon – Thanksgiving, 6 to 11:59 p.m.; Black Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• WestShore Plaza, 250 WestShore Plaza, Tampa – Thanksgiving, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Black Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel – Thanksgiving, closed (some stores may open); Black Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tyrone Square Mall, 6901 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg – Thursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Black Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 U.S. 19, Port Richey – Thursday, closed; Black Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Centro Ybor, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa – Thanksgiving, closed; Black Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Hyde Park Village, 744 S. Village Circle, Tampa – Thanksgiving, closed; Black Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo via Pixabay

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