WLWT: Black Friday rush replaced by online shopping
UC economist says retailers now are offering an entire season of deals
The long lines filled with shoppers looking to score Black Friday deals are a relic of the past, WLWT reported.
Michael Jones, PhD, assistant professor of economics
Shoppers in the Cincinnati region and beyond are forgoing trips to stores the day after Thanksgiving, or on Thanksgiving itself, as was common in the past and instead shopping online.
Michael Jones, PhD, assistant professor of economics in the University of Cincinnati's Carl H. Lindner College of Business, said the one day of deals has been replaced by an entire season of sales.
“We won't see those same people lining up in front of the store like we did in the 2010s,” Jones said to WLWT. “It's no longer just a day or even just a week. It's now the Black Friday season or a month, and I think that reflects the nervousness that retailers have. They're trying to get out in front and trying to capture that consumer pocketbook early.”
Featured image at top: An online shopper. Photo/rupixen.com via Unsplash
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
The psychological weight of money
April 7, 2026
Psychology and neuroscience website PsyPost highlighted research led by Sharmeen Merchant, doctoral candidate in UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, that suggests a man’s sense of fulfillment at work is intertwined with his partner’s views on money.
'My health is priceless'
April 7, 2026
Weight loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are changing more than waistlines — they're quietly transforming how people spend money, what they prioritize and who can afford better health. As Local 12/WKRC-TV recently reported, for some patients, the medications are life-changing. For others, the cost can be overwhelming.
A day of hoops and fun supports families impacted by homelessness
April 6, 2026
CPS All-Star Showcase returned to UC’s Fifth Third Arena, Saturday, April 4, highligting the partnership between Cincinnati Public Schools and the University of Cincinnati. Local media covered the daylong sports event which showcased some Cincinnati's finest high school athletes. Proceeds from the event benefited Project Connect.