Thanksgiving, Black Friday 2019: Tampa Bay Mall Hours

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

This year's post-turkey shopping frenzy, including the Black Friday gift grab, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, is expected to boost 2019's holiday sales by 3.8 to 4.2 percent over 2018 for a total of $727.9 to $730.7 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's annual forecast.

“The tradition of Thanksgiving weekend holiday shopping has become a five-day event with consumers spending money in stores, supporting local small businesses and online with their mobile devices and computers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Even as people are starting to purchase gifts earlier in the season, consumers still enjoy finding good Thanksgiving deals and passing time shopping with family and friends over the long holiday weekend.”

The National Retail Federation said 39.6 million consumers are considering shopping on Thanksgiving Day, 114.6 million on Black Friday, 66.6 million on Small Business Saturday and 33.3 million on Sunday. The shopping weekend will wrap up on Cyber Monday when 68.7 million are expected to take advantage of online bargains.

Most people say it's the allure of the season's best deals that leads them to tolerate long lines and battle traffic jams over the holiday weekend.

According to a NRF survey, the top reasons consumers are planning to shop include:

• The deals are too good to pass up (65 percent)
• Tradition (28 percent)
• It's when they like to start their holiday shopping (22 percent)
• It's something to do over the holiday (21 percent)
• It's a group activity with friends/family (17 percent)

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.

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. 28-29:

• 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, 6 p.m. to midnight; 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, 8 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.

If you own a small business and are offering special deals, giveaways and other offerings on Small Business Saturday, let us know. Email details to Tampa Bay editor D'Ann Lawrence White at dann.white@patch.com.