Black Friday shoppers in full swing in Salinas

Many shoppers could not wait till Black Friday to get Black Friday deals as crowds came out in full force to retailers across the Central Coast.

“Yeah, I’ve been here since two. We’re just waiting for doors to open at 5, hopefully we get the deals. I just don’t want anything to run out, you know?” said Vanessa Soria, a Salinas resident.

“I’m here to buy my cousins’ gifts for Christmas because it’s usually expensive to get them at the Apple Store and right now they’re offering the discounts,” said Jairo Alejo, a Salinas resident.

Those discounts can be pretty good. TVs were a big ticket item for many who came out Thursday night.

One man says he was eyeing a 55-inch 4K television set at a bargain price of $200.

According to CBS News, major retailers are hoping the more than 160 million people shopping over the weekend will boost revenues.

“Right now I’m looking for the iPads and the Apple Watch,” said Alejo.

“Well, I’m here to buy an Apple Watch today, hopefully I can get them,” said Soria.

Traditional big box stores like JC Penney and Sears are hoping sales this weekend could help their struggling business, which have been hit by the popularity of online buying.

Brick-and-mortar stores are still anticipated to take up most of the retail sales, which could top over $1 trillion this year. But online sale could also rise as much as 22 percent to $134 billion.

“Personally I like to see the items. I do do some shopping online, but I do want to see things,” said Valerie Herrera, a Greenfield resident. “If I’m here, I’ll probably purchase things I don’t necessarily need, which I budgeted for.”

CBS News reports the average family will probably spend about $1,500 this holiday season. Most people say they will actually look at the product online first, but go to the store to buy it.