Much has already been made about how disruptions in the global supply chain will soil the second holiday season in the pandemic.
Fears of empty shelves and late deliveries aren't unfounded, but experts say the more likely effect of the supply chain issues is higher prices for customers.
"This whole supply chain disruption is a systematic problem," says Bingtong Chen, a University of Delaware operations management professor. "It's not just a bottleneck, so it's going to last for awhile."
Here's more on what Black Friday will look like in Delaware this year.
Hours of operation
Most of Delaware's major shopping destinations will be closed on Thanksgiving, following a trend that started last year. On Black Friday, they will open closer to normal waking hours than in previous years.
Thanksgiving hours
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Christiana Mall, closed
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Concord Mall, closed
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Dover Mall, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Tanger Outlets Rehoboth Beach, closed
ACROSS THE NATION: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot are closed on Thanksgiving but CVS, Walgreens are open. See the list.
BLACK FRIDAY: Prepare for higher prices, not empty shelves as supply chain woes affect Delaware holidays
Black Friday hours
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Christiana Mall, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Concord Mall, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Dover Mall, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Tanger Outlets Rehoboth Beach, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
How will this year compare with last year?
Unlike last year, Delaware shoppers won't be under any COVID-related restrictions. Stores are free to limit capacity or require masks, but aren't obligated to.
In the past year, prices have risen significantly. For one, the price of apparel rose 4.3% in October compared to last year, according to data released earlier this month by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"It's one thing that was a little surprising," said Jon Vincent, who tracks the holiday shopping season at earlyblackfriday.com. Vincent mentioned many of the cogs of the unsettled supply chain and increased labor costs as reasons for the price hikes.
"Some of those costs are being passed to the consumer," he said.
Some items will be difficult to find because of supply chain problems. Vincent has noticed issues with appliances and gaming consoles.
"You get these random products. but it's not like everything," he said.
Has Black Friday permanently changed?
Gone are the days of barging through sliding doors in the dead of night for special deals on big-ticket items.
Delaware's top shopping destination, the Christiana Mall, won't open until 9 a.m. on Black Friday.