Hamilton businesses were encouraged by the volume of shoppers who took advantage of Black Friday sales throughout the City.

Arielle Falcao, a store manager at Vineyard Vines, believed that many more establishments and customers were taking part in sales compared with last year.

She explained: “It’s been steady here; we’re just happy to see people shopping locally.

“As long as people are here and around buying, and not ordering via Amazon or taking that New York trip, we’re just happy to see it.”

The shop offered 20 per cent, followed by 15 per cent discounts on some items between 8am and 10am, while other merchandise was priced for clearance.

Shoppers flocked to the City early in the morning to find bargains in Black Friday sales.

About ten people were waiting in front of Brown & Co on Reid Street at 6.40am, but the line eventually stretched almost to the entrance of Walker Arcade, as the 7am opening of the department store drew closer.

Sandra Bennett took advantage of sales at Marks & Spencer, which welcomed customers at 6am, before getting in line at Brown & Co.

She said: “I came out this early just to get the sales. It’s been as busy as it usually is; I’m not looking for anything in particular.”

Nicole Warren, a general manager at Brown & Co, also said business was a lot better than on the 2024 Black Friday and thanked customers for their patronage.

She said: “We continue to make investments in retail in Bermuda, and it’s good to see so many people buying locally.”

The business offered customers 50 per cent off store-wide, excluding fragrances, from 7am to 7.30am, followed by a 25 per cent off until 5.30pm, when customers would receive 40 per cent off until 6pm.

Fragrances were discounted by 10 per cent all day.

Another shopper, Joanne DeSilva, waited for Gibbons Company to open before 6am, and said the line outside the store was not too long.

She noted that Gibbons Company offered sales all week, but was happy to arrive early today for discounts of 30 per cent.