ATLANTA — The rush is on as shoppers try to snag some Black Friday deals.
We captured video of a few lines outside the big stores, like Target, Walmart and Best Buy. But many people out shopping Friday morning said the crowds weren't like those they've seen in past years. This year's Black Friday was much calmer.
"I was expecting maybe 1,000 people just running over each other, you know? Just fighting for something. Instead, (there's) not that many people and little lines, nothing too big," said shopper Michael White.
Many shoppers said stores opened too early this year, with many opening before dinner time on Thanksgiving.
Channel 2’s Rachel Stockman saw a heavy stream of people flowing into the Macy’s at Lenox Square in Buckhead Thursday night. Some spirited spectators immediately turned their attention from the Macy's tree lighting to the sales.
As crowds packed the parking lot at the 67th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting, many decided an early Black Friday was the way to go.
"We planned on going shopping anyways. Now we get to sleep tonight, instead of getting up at midnight and coming out. So it's not a bad idea," said Rick Roberts.
Tracy Roberts said the concept of an early Friday is "crazy."
"I can't believe people are out. I can't believe we are out shopping," she said.
This year for the first time, many major stores, including Macy's, opened even earlier.
"It's in response to our customers," said Melissa Goff, Macy's spokeswoman. "Our customers last year shopped early at 8 and there were more than 40 million people that shopped early and said that they would like an earlier opening. So in response to what our customers ask, we opened early, we are ready for them."
A Georgia State University economist said for retailers, despite the early openings, it's really all about the online sales.
"Now it's become like how many people are going to show online versus how many are going to show up in the stores? In the last few years, it was more about opening the stores early; now it's about let's see if we can get you on the online and you can buy from me."
Meanwhile, one woman who came to the tree lighting said stores should hold off.
"I think they should wait to Friday to let the employees enjoy the time with their families," said Pat Hicks.