Thousands brave frigid temperatures for Black Friday at Mall of America
Thousands of shoppers braved frigid temperatures to line up in the small hours for the opening of the Mall of America on Black Friday.
As ever, a crowd of hardy shoppers began lining up many hours in advance of the 7 a.m. opening, knowing the first 200 guests would be given "mystery cards" that contained a selection of prizes – including access to the MOA's "Doorbuster Zone" that came with a reward worth $600.
The first 200 shoppers were also given $25 gift cards, while one was also the winner of a $2,500 prize from Pepsi.
Mall of America
The Mall of America says that in the first hour of opening, more than 13,000 shoppers passed through its doors. It continues a strong week for the Bloomington megamall, which said it saw a 10% increase in foot traffic the day before Thanksgiving compared to 2023.
Guests were also treated to an appearance from Santa Claus and the first choice of the Black Friday sales at the hundreds of stores in the mall.
Mall of America
"This is our team’s favorite day of the year, and we are so excited to be celebrating with all our guests," said Jill Renslow, Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at the Mall of America.
"Today, we are rolling out the red carpet with exceptional prizes, festive entertainment, and plenty of fun for those who have made a tradition of celebrating Black Friday with us. Through the years, we have learned what truly makes a difference is how you make someone feel. That is why we are dedicated to bringing joy to everyone who walks through our doors not just on this special day, but all year round."
