Black Friday shoppers seek deals in Louisiana

SHOTLIST:RESTRICTION SUMMARY:ASSOCIATED PRESS New Orleans, Louisiana - 25 November 20221. Various of crowds shoppingANNOTATION: Shoppers hunted for the best deals at stores as retailers offered new Black Friday discounts to entice consumers eager to start buying holiday gifts.2.SOUNBITE (English) Alisha Raymond, shopper:"Let me tell you, I'm going to Victoria Secret, I'm going to bath and body works. I just got a new grand-baby so I'm going grandbaby shopping as well."ANNOTATION: In Louisiana, customers who spent at least fifty dollars at Lakeside Shopping Center got to enjoy complimentary champagne adding to the holiday spirit.3. Champagne bottle being popped.4. Various of champagne and crowdsSOUNDBITE(ENGLISH) Abrielle Laurent, shopper: ++COVERED SOUNDBITE++"When I saw people walking around with it I thought it was something they were buying, so when the lady told us it was complimentary that was even better."5. SOUNDBITE (English) Raven Armant, shopper: ++COVERED SOUNDBITE++"And it makes sense because it's New Orleans, you know, walking around shopping with your drink; it's only right."6. Various of shopping crowdsANNOTATION: This year's trends are a contrast from a year ago when consumers were buying early amid supply-network clogs.ANNOTATION: Online discounts rates were 31% on Thanksgiving, up 7% from the previous year, according to Salesforce data.7. Various of shopping crowds and childrenANNOTATION: Major retailers stuck with their pandemic-era decision to close stores on Thanksgiving Day, moving away from doorbusters.ANNOTATION: But with more shoppers visiting stores this year, growth in online sales slowed.8. SOUNDBITE (English) Roxanne May, Pascagoula, shopper:"We do this every year. We have a good time and it's just kind of a tradition, Black Friday shopping."9 .SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH) Abrielle Laurent, New Orleans resident: ++PARTIALLY COVERED SOUNDBITE++"It's nice to be out again and doing this, because for the last few years people have been inside for the holidays but to be able to get out and shop and see people face to face in the flesh has been really nice."10. Various of Christmas tree and children++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++STORYLINE:Shoppers eager to start holiday shopping but weighed down by inflation are hunting for the best deals at stores and online this Black Friday. Retailers that had offered mostly lackluster discounts earlier in the season responded this week with new bargains. Elevated prices for food, rent, gasoline and other household costs have taken a toll on shoppers.As a result, many are reluctant to spend unless there is a big sale and are being more selective with what they will buy — in many cases, trading down to cheaper stuff and less expensive stores. Shoppers are also dipping more into their savings, turning increasingly to "buy now, pay later" services that allow users to pay for items in installments. They are also running up their credit cards.===========================================================Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.