Black Friday shopping not as busy in the Valley this year [Video]

PHOENIX — Thousands of Valley residents went out on Black Friday to find the best deals on holiday gifts. 

Cassandra Montano was out shopping Friday morning in East Phoenix and said Black Friday was not as hectic as it’s traditionally depicted. 

“You’re expecting like the big crowds, you’re expecting people to rush in,” Montano explained. “I feel this year has been pretty calm.”

A recent Statista survey reveals nearly 43% of U.S. consumers now prefer online shopping. 

“We were talking at Thanksgiving about how there aren’t many newspaper ads anymore,” shopper Cory Blumstien said. “Before, we’d circle what we wanted and then go shopping.”

Jess Sherman, another shopper said retailers appeared to promote more online shopping this year. 

 “Wasn’t there a Best Buy ad for Black Friday where you can shop from your laptop?” Sherman said. “It feels like stores are actually encouraging customers to go online instead of coming to the store.”

A Gartner …