LIHUE — People were snagging Black Friday deals on Wednesday morning over at Kukui Grove Center, where retailer DejaVu was setting up its traditional Black Friday tent.
They’ll be offering deals all weekend long, and have giveaways early in the morning on Friday and Saturday for the first customers through the door.
Wednesday, though, the preview sale was on three specific things — Oakley sunglasses, Herschel luggage and Dakine flat fish bags.
And even though employees were still setting up the area outside DejaVu for Black Friday, customers were stopping by to check out the deals.
“This is going to be a gift for my oldest son,” said Skip MacWilliams, grabbing a backpack-style Dakine fish bag and eyeing a piece of camouflage luggage, on sale at 30% off.
He ended up buying that, too.
That luggage was the reason for Valarie Saiki’s visit to the mall Wednesday. Her brother heard about the sale and asked her to pick up one of those pieces of camouflage luggage.
“He just sent me over here on a little errand,” Saiki said.
Chris and Melina Ishida, from Lihue, were also on the lookout for good deals on Wednesday, checking out the scene at the mall and preparing for their Black Friday shopping.
They have three kids, so much of their list is dedicated to gifts for them — and for all the nieces and nephews in the family — but Chris had his eye on some new Oakley sunglasses and Melinda said she’d be game to get a few more new clothes if they find the right deals.
Tasha Daligcon and Albert Cadavona said their Black Friday shopping lists were geared toward much the same thing — a chance to get great deals on holiday gifts for the family.
“Not sure exactly what yet,” Daligcon said. “We’ll just see what’s out there.”
It’s expected to be a busy shopping season.
Holiday retail sales are expected to increase about 4% over 2018 to about $730 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s forecast of holiday sales. Consumers reported they will spend an average of about $1,050 this holiday season, a 4% increase from last year.
This holiday season is the shortest since 2013 because Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 28. Retailers say such a compressed season will put more pressure on them to make every day count, the Associated Press reported.
“The U.S. economy is continuing to grow and consumer spending is still the primary engine behind that growth,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in an AP report.
Aside from DejaVu’s Black Friday weekend sale — that’s ongoing at locations in Lihue, Kapaa and the new Poipu location — there are a few other deals on tap for Black Friday.
Discount Fabric Warehouse in Lihue is offering sales from Friday through Monday, with Zest sewing machines that usually retail for $199 on sale for $99. All fabric and thread is 30% off and there are other deals and in-store specials.
Punzal Vision is offering a one-day event on Black Friday at Hokulei Village shopping center, with a grand prize drawing of $500 and $100 gift certificates for the first 25 people through the door.
Check out MetalHaus Architectural Metals &Supply for Black Friday deals on vehicle and marine detailing supplies. They’re offering special holiday kits while supplies last, and their holiday sale runs through Dec. 24.
Petco, Longs Drugs, Ace Hardware and Home Depot all have deals on Black Friday, with specials only lasting one day and some going through the weekend.
Longs, for instance, is offering Insta Pots at $79.99 — usually they retail at $139.99 — and 50% off Christmas home décor, animation, lights and wiring accessories.
At Kukui Grove, the holiday season starts with Black Friday events and then transitions into Small Business Saturday sales on Friday and Saturday. Many stores will continue their sales through Sunday.
Holiday celebrations continue on Dec. 14, with a holiday fair in the old Kmart parking lot at Kukui Grove Center and an open house at Kauai Coffee 2 in the Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa. There, Kauai Coffee will be offering free shipping with $25 purchase and kama‘aina discounts. That event will be ongoing at both locations.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
