There was once a time when Black Friday was a disturbing, yet entertaining spectacle for shoppers seeking a discounted deal. Ridiculously long lines, crowded stores, and a cutthroat culture among Black Friday shoppers all culminated in what used to be one of the most brutal American "Holidays".

But this past Black Friday, I noticed something was different compared to past years; It's just not the same. Although parking lots were still relatively filled with shoppers looking to find a discounted deal, stores around Amarillo really did not look as packed as they once were back in the 2000s or even the 2010s.

Out With The Old, In With The New

Although it is a strange sight to some, the reasoning behind why stores were not as full this year is not really a mystery. Online shopping has become a juggernaut in the realm of retail, and for good reason. Simply going online and doing most of your discounted shopping in less than 10 minutes is a much more pleasant experience compared to the alternative.

Although it was an experience to be had, going out and having to fight tooth and nail against someone who wants that 25% deal just as badly as you do definitely was a pain in the rear. I don't know about you guys but, doing all your Black Friday shopping from home is just a much better experience.

Good Riddance?

Although we can look back on the spectacle that once was Black Friday with nostalgia, maybe it is for the better that we now have better alternatives. But the true question remains. As we begin to become more and more reliant on the internet for our shopping needs, will physical Black Friday shopping eventually be phased out into a thing of the past?

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