Keisha Hill, Star Writer

As the Christmas season is fast approaching many persons will be looking for bargains and sales in every nook and cranny, trying to save on gifts items for family and friends.

This year, the Village and Mall plazas and Rapid True Value in collaboration with The Gleaner Company, the National Commercial Bank (NCB), Power 106FM and Music 99 FM will be staging the fifth annual Black Friday Weekend Sale from Thursday, November 27 to Saturday, November 29.

This sale will give customers the opportunity to purchase gift and other items at significantly reduced prices. For three days, shoppers will have the opportunity to jump-start their Christmas shopping, with prices slashed by up to 80 per cent. Over 30 stores will participate in the event over the three days with extended opening hours until 8 p.m.

Shoppers can also take advantage of the early bird specials between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Additional discounts will be given between those hours.

Most stores will also offer up to 75 percent discounts, with an additional five to 10 percent off for NCB cardholders at participating stores. Shoppers will also have the opportunity to win prizes and surprises when they listen to RJR 94FM, Fame 95FM, Power 106FM and Music 99FM.

Christmas rush

According to Cherane Hamilton, accounts and administrative manager at Millsborough Developers Limited, customers use the Black Friday Weekend sale to take advantage of the massive discounts being offered by the stores. "The stores are offering discounts on new stock and our customers are able to stock up and save. They are also able to beat the stress of the Christmas rush by shopping early," Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, Nordia Craig, business development and marketing manager at the Gleaner Company Limited, said it was a pleasure to again partner with yet another consumer-discount activity. "Through our online, print and radio platforms, we are looking forward to seeing the benefits that will accrue to the consumer and retailers that will be participating in the promotion," Craig said.

This year, the event will kick off with a Christmas-tree lighting, and the Christmas lights will be turned on in the plazas on Thursday, November 27.