Following Thanksgiving each year, masses of eager shoppers prepare for Black Friday, a day dominated by discounts in preparation for the upcoming holidays. This year on Nov. 26, Black Friday took over the stores in San Francisco’s Union Square. Despite the reinstatement of this holiday tradition, recent robberies in Union Square and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic kept many shoppers home, leading to an average turnout.

This year’s turnout at Union Square and Westfield mall disappointed first time shopper, 10-year-old Ashlyn Murphy. She found the experience much more calm from the chaotic shoving she has seen depicted in the movies. Despite this initial disappointment, she still enjoyed the busy shopping scene.

“[I thought] that the sales could have been a lot better. I expected a different variety of clothes on sale and a lot more people, it was still cool though and I’d go again,” Ashyln said.

 Despite the seemingly average turnout, ZARA (worldwide fast fashion company) employee, Tayyaba Gorsi, was surprised that people even showed up due to the lasting presence of COVID-19. 

“I was expecting less people because of COVID-19, but this is more like the amount before COVID-19,” Gorsi said. 

Other employees, like Urban Outfitters’ Bianca, felt that the turnout was less than usual.

“[The Black Friday turnout was] kind of in the middle. Just because of COVID-19 and all of the burglaries happening lately, I wasn’t expecting it to be too busy,” Bianca said.

Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and the simplicity of online shopping, many shoppers forwent the lines and shopped online instead.

“Shopping online gets you the same deals and has more variety, it’s also just easier,” said AWHS sophomore Mary Solario.

In the aftermath of the recent smash-and-grab robbery at the Union Square Louis Vuitton, Black Friday shoppers saw an increased presence of law enforcement. Many shoppers, concerned with potential racial profiling, voiced their discomfort.

“Come on, don’t go arresting black people on Black Friday,” said a man yelling at security guards outside the Union Square Louis Vuitton store. 

Despite COVID-19 concerns and challenges of recent lootings, this year’s Black Friday had the same turn out as an average day in Union Square, however unlike other days Black Friday gave shoppers an opportunity to take advantage of sales.