Juneau’s commercial scene is hardly dominated by big chain stores, but their annual day in the sun has come. The city’s big-box stores are preparing once again to draw Juneauites out of their turkey-induced comas with Black Friday deals on everything from the latest Star Wars merchandise to socks. After all, there’s nothing like big discounts on big-ticket items to encourage people to brave what will likely be a cold, rainy Friday morning.
Fred Meyer’s
Doors open: 5 a.m. Friday
Sure, Freddy’s has sales on TVs, videogames and all of the usual Black Friday blowout items, but the socks will be the real star of the show come Friday.
“All socks are half priced,” said Melinda Merrill, a spokesperson for the Portland-based chain. “This is a major reason our shoppers come into our stores. I mean, we have TVs, the Amazon Echo, a new wireless speaker, and Hoverboards. But our sock sale is what our customers have come to know us for on Black Friday.”
Between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m., Freddy’s will sell more than 1.3 million pairs of socks, Merill wrote in an email to the Empire. The store began its sock sale decades ago, she said.
“The other big trend this year is ugly sweaters,” Merrill said. In addition to socks, the store will be selling make-your-own-ugly-sweater kits for half off.
The store’s other top items include all things Star Wars, Kuerig coffee machines and Fallout 4.
Walmart
Doors open: 6 p.m. today.
Walmart’s big offerings this year, as is usually the case, are in the electronics department.
“We bought deep on televisions, toys and more to ensure hundreds of customers in a store — not tens of customers — get the gift they want,” said Steve Bratspies, Walmart’s chief merchandising officer, in a press release.
In store, customers can buy a Samsung 55-inch curved TV for about $1,000. Walmart will also offer online sales beginning on Thanksgiving Day that TV lovers may enjoy. There, customers will find a Samsung 60-inch TV for about $900.
Star Wars toys, videogame consoles and home appliances will also be marked down.
Office Max
Doors open: 6 p.m. today.
Juneauites looking for computers or tablets can save big at Office Max. The office-supply store’s top-advertised products include Toshiba and Dell laptops for up to $250 off their regular prices.
The store will also be selling desks for as much as 70 percent off and heavily discounted office chairs to go with them.
Home Depot
Doors open: 6 a.m. Friday
If you’re having a hard time fitting all of your Thanksgiving leftovers in your fridge and happen to have a few hundred dollars in disposable income, Home Depot is where you’ll want to be come Black Friday. The store will be offering “special buy savings” on many of its refrigerators, some of which are more than $1,000 off.
The store has also discounted power tools, toolboxes, and Christmas decorations.
Petco
Doors open: 6 a.m. Friday
Petco’s corporate communications office didn’t respond to Empire inquiries about the store’s Black Friday offerings as of press time Wednesday.
