Both customers and store owners in Georgetown reported smaller than expected crowds this Black Friday.
The Georgetown Business District and other D.C. District groups do not keep records of Black Friday sales, and the Washington D.C. Economic Partnership did not return calls for comment.
But continuing economic trouble has caused many stores to hold Black Friday specials for the first time. However, promotions did little to attract shoppers, according to anecdotal reports.
The Urban Outfitters on M Street opened at 6 a.m., and offered a 50 percent discount on sale items.
Bebe opened at the regular time last Friday, but had promotional items like “in store holiday scratchers” for Black Friday customers.
Neither store was willing to comment on sales or customer turnout this year.
Despite the larger number of promotional sales, Manuel Michalowski, of Georgetown Wine and Spirits, said that the Black Friday crowds never materialized this year. Friday’s turnout was “softer than anticipated,” he said. Although his store’s clientele is “well-to-do,” Michalowski has noticed a decrease in sales compared to last year.
A sales associate at Truffles Belgian Chocolate, located in the Shops at Georgetown, said a chocolatier never expects to get as much traffic as an electronics store on Black Friday, but “sales are a little down.” Generally chocolate stores do not have discounts, she said, but if sales continue to falter, the store will consider adding more promotions. She echoed Michalowski’s assessment that Georgetown was relatively quiet on Black Friday.
