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While scenes looked different from last year, the pandemic's effects remained present
Vaccinations, which in the U.S. have been widely available and free since this past spring, have allowed for the return of several holiday customs this year. But the tradition of Black Friday "doorbusters" may be over.
Long before the pandemic, e-commerce had already helped to thin out the usual Thanksgiving-Black Friday crowds. This year, online shopping has waned somewhat with the ability to safely frequent stores again. But several factors, including elevated expectations around curbside pickup, or problem solving when inventory is low at stores, keep sending consumers online.
Overall, though, is the reality that the pandemic continues to affect the season. Even before the alarming reports of a new variant in recent days, supply chains were disrupted — from manufacturing to shipping — and many consumers remain wary of the disease. Still, retailers are taking advantage of classic supply-and-demand forces by reining in discounts, and their customers are finding ways to pay the higher prices. It's unclear how long that will hold, but here's what happened so far this weekend.
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