FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2023 - BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING

 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2023 - “BLACK FRIDAY”

Tis the day to go SHOPPING!!

“Black Friday " refers to the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, which has traditionally been a holiday for many employees. It is typically a day full of special shopping deals and big discounts and is considered the beginning of the holiday shopping season.”

The sales made on Black Friday are often thought of as a litmus test for the overall economic condition of the country and a way for economists to measure the confidence of the average American when it comes to discretionary spending. Those who share the assumption that spending drives economic activity view lower Black Friday sales figures as a harbinger of slower growth.” 

I probably won’t go shopping on Black Friday this year.  Almost all stores are already advertising “Black Friday Prices NOW.”  

My view of retail has changed in the past few years.  Amazon has “everything” online (I don’t think I can buy God’s agape Love, but I can buy knick-knacks that say “LOVE WINS.”  For other things (like groceries), I can buy them online and have them delivered - or go to the store and let them load them in my car. [Aside: I was talking to my friend Kathleen, who said she rarely goes into a grocery store anymore - she does the pick-up routine.]

I do like to shop (believe it or not!!!).  But my closet is full, and my kitchen shelves are full.  My living room and bedroom are full.  It is at a point where I don’t need anything.  Okay, yes, there are things that I would “like” (want) - maybe a new smartwatch - but go shopping on Black Friday?  Nah!!  (And, I found one on Amazon <grin?)

Any store that sells televisions has big sales on television sets for Black Friday.  Is there a limit on how big a television set must be to be enjoyed?  I can get an 86-inch television.  (I’d have to move some pictures around to get that to fit on my wall).  

Maybe someday, with artificial intelligence and virtual reality headsets, I can watch football games as if I’m at the stadium.  I can ask Alexa (or whatever technology assistant) to get me popcorn or a beer.  The AI / VR headsets will have the smells of the game - so I can smell my “neighbor’s” hot dog (the neighbor who seems to be sitting next to me).  Maybe I can smell the sweat of the players on the field.  I can feel the icy wind at Lambeau Field as Green Bay plays the Detroit Lions.  

I can sit at the news desk for my local news and be part of a panel discussion about my community. (That already can be done, but we’ve opted for ZOOM meetings instead - cheaper and more people can be involved).

Or, maybe I can have my own robot - let’s call him Hobart - and as I’m watching something, I can have Hobart bring me a beverage or a snack.

A hundred years ago, there were no televisions. Radio didn’t really become popular until the late 1920s.  By 1934, 60% of US households had radios. By 2050, will 60% of US households have AI television sets with virtual reality headsets?  Who knows?

I’m not going to suggest that physical stores will end, but they could.  I could virtually try on shoes and clothes at home.  Hobart could measure my feet exactly and ensure I got the best fit. 

Virtual online stores should be able to save money.  No cost for physical property.  Less human costs as robots will fill orders and bring them to our doors.

Of course, what will we have for jobs and money?  (Alas, I am not ready to discuss that - there will be jobs. It could be like George Jetson, whose job was to push a button to start or end a process.)

Back to the football analogy, maybe the football players will all be robots.  Or my shopping can be done by placing my virtual reality gear on, which will “read” my mind (or .. make up my mind?), and I don’t even have to figure it out.   

Technology is moving ever quicker.  Artificial Intelligence is already pushing into simple jobs.  

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About 30% of retailers' yearly income comes from the holiday season.  This year, Thanksgiving is on November 23rd, and Christmas is (still) on December 25th - so in one month, a sizeable chunk of sales occur.  With twelve months in a year, one month would be about 1/12th of a year (or about 8.33%) - so a month with 30% of annual income becomes worth about three months (okay - just using math!!!).

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To those that are going shopping, reflect on how it used to be - guts and glory on the “playing field” - go for the gold!!!  Now you can sit in your pajamas and click your way through - not much fun in that!!!

(And, for my friends in northern areas, getting up at 4:30, getting your coats, boots, and gloves on, and driving in a cold (freezing) car to a mall - that also gets extra points!!!)

To my shopping friends!!  Good Luck!!!

LOVE WINS!!!
LOVE TRANSFORMS
LOVE DOESN’T NEED ‘STUFF’ - LOVE IS COMPLETE WITHIN THE HEART AND HEAD

KAREN WHITE, NOVEMBER 24, 2023