SHOPPING

With the holiday shopping season gearing up, Florida Chief Financial Officer is warning people to watch out for potential scams surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Black Friday is two weeks away but if you want to get a head start on your holiday shopping, Anne Roy shares some unique items.

Thrifting clothing and school supplies are friendly to your wallet!

It’s time to go back to school, or at least time to start thinking about it. To make it a little easier, a new laptop might help. With almost everything costing more the days, Consumer Reports found some great picks for every budget.

Families are gearing up for hundreds of dollars in costs for back-to-school shopping as inflation continues to rise.

If you shopped for groceries for your fourth of July holiday parties then you probably noticed that you were spending more money compared to last year.

Do you have an easy-to-shop-for mom? Or is your mother a bit trickier, when it comes to buying her that perfect present? Either way, we have just the quiz for you.

Whether it’s relaxing, getting in a much-needed workout or being productive, as women, it’s nice to take that break for ourselves when we’re able -- even if we have to make the time.

These items “honor the sacrifice of Black leaders of the past while amplifying and celebrating the voices of the Black community today.”

Consumer Reports says you can find mattresses made without as many potentially harmful chemicals -- you just need to know what to look for.

Many stores are open during regular or limited hours on New Year’s Eve, but some stores doors are closed to start off the new year.

Last-minute shoppers packed the stores Friday for the final day of shopping before Christmas.

Experts warn that people need to shop safely this holiday weekend while the Omicron variant continues spreading across the nation.

The FBI reports that since the start of the coronavirus, cyberattacks have increased by 300%.

Alice Thompson was awarded £185,000 after being told she could not work shorter hours to pick up her child.

We somehow made it to August, which means it’s back-to-school time for students and teachers everywhere.

Y'all, the next best thing to Christmas is quickly approaching: Amazon Prime Day 2021.

Is your dad more sporty, more outdoorsy, more artistic or something else entirely?

Father’s Day is almost here, but if it’s been a tight year, money-wise, just know that you’re probably not alone in feeling like you’d rather save the more expensive festivities for another time.

Consumer Reports has some great gift ideas for the tech lovers in your life for $50 or less that should make their holiday merry and bright. First up is the Amazon Fire 7 Tablet with 16GB for $50 ($70 in Canada). Next up, CR says to check out the brand-new Amazon Echo Dot 4 Generation for $50 ($70 in Canada). And if you’re shopping for someone who loves taking pictures, check out the Kodak Printomatic Instant Camera for $50 ($70 in Canada). CR says remember to get your online shopping done soon.There are so many people shopping online this year that shipping delays are expected.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With even more Black Friday sales online this year, cybersecurity experts say scammers are also more prepared than ever to log in and take your hard-earned money. Here are some easy things to do to help you shop safely. More and more people are having their personal information stolen this way, according to Tech TimesUse your credit card instead of your debit card to shop online. When it comes to getting duped over a really good deal, experts say there’s one rule of thumb that never fails to save you money. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Amazon Prime Days are here, and as the author of this story, I have to tell you: I did a LOT more online purchasing than I planned on, just while sitting around my house in quarantine last year.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shoppers in Jacksonville didn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic keep them from scoring a good deal on Black Friday. In addition to traditional tips, like wear running shoes, masks will be must-wear items at virtually every store. Health experts remind you, the mask is not just to protect yourself, but to protect those working the holiday weekend. Shoppers said the lines were long because stores aren’t letting everyone inside together. Saturday, known as Small Business Saturday, is another shopping holiday aimed at showing support for local and small businesses.

Jacksonville, FL – What everyone is asking (& wishing) for this holiday gifting season with Momsanity’s Dawn Yanek!

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is a growing list of major retailers closing stores on Thanksgiving Day in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Many popular stores, such as Walmart and Target, announced their stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. RELATED: Santa Claus won’t be coming to Macy’s this yearHere’s a full list of stores confirmed so far that will be closed on Thanksgiving:ALDIAcademy Sports and OutdoorsAT&TBarnes & NobleBath & Body WorksBed Bath & BeyondBest BuyBealls -- Bealls OutletBJ’sBoscov’sBurlingtonCostcoDick’s Sporting GoodsFoot LockerGameStopThe Home DepotH&M StoresHobby LobbyJCPenneyKohl’sLamps PlusLowe’sOld NavyMacy’sMarshall’sNordstrom (Rack)Office Depot/OfficeMaxPetcoPetsmartPier 1REISearsSimon Property GroupStaplesStein MartTargetT.J MaxxTractor Supply StoresUltaUnder ArmourThe Outlet Resource GroupWalmartWilliams-SonomaClick here for more information. Let us know!

You can get them all on Amazon, and since it’s Prime Day, why not treat yourself to something special for your kitchen? Instant Pots are insanely popular, so if you already have one, you know just how versatile this kitchen appliance can be. It’s really great for steaming veggies, too. Really nice Dutch ovens can get really expensive, but this one on Amazon is a reasonable price, and it’s a great quality. Having both of these items in your kitchen will be great additions.

Y’all, the next best thing to Christmas is quickly approaching: Amazon Prime Day 2020. You can already start “watching” items you’d like to get an alert on, whenever they go on sale on Amazon Prime Day. In the app or on the website, when you look up an item, check for the Prime Day badge, which means it’s a Prime Day Deal. Amazon Prime Day 2020 notification directions. Now you, my friend, are full of knowledge and power to take on Amazon Prime Day 2020.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. TJX Cos., the parent company of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Homegoods, hopes to have all of its stores back open by the end of June, the company reported to the SEC on Thursday, according to NBC Boston. TJX closed stores in nine countries along with all of its online shopping sites, distribution centers and offices in mid-March as the coronavirus pandemic was starting to make waves in the U.S. Since May 2, TJX opened approximately 36% of its 4,500 stores worldwide, equating to 1,600 locations reopening as well as four e-commerce sites. The company now hopes to have everything back open by the end of June as it has fully or partially reopened in 25 states, NBC Boston reported.

Pier 1 operates five stores in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area and one in Brunswick. Its lenders have agreed to let Pier 1 overdraw its lending facility by $40 million to help it fund the liquidation process. Once a mall staple, Pier 1 sales have slumped in recent years because of growing online competition and shifting consumer habits. It announced in February that it was closing around 450 stores, including all its locations in Canada. The company currently has more than 500 stores down from 1,000 last year.

An online shop is looking out for the safety of Golden Girls fans amid the coronavirus outbreak. For those looking for a mask, patterns and designs are becoming a considerable factor for online shoppers. Beautiful Peace Shop offers eight Golden Girls themed design options. The reusable dust masks have adjustable straps and include three layers of protective PM2.5 filter. Masks can be purchased online.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In its latest move in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Publix is now setting aside time for first responders and frontline health care workers to do their grocery shopping. Starting on Thursday, Publix stores and pharmacies will be open to those workers from 8 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and 7 to 8 a.m. on Fridays. These special shopping hours will continue until further notice. The Florida-based grocery store chain has already designated 7 to 8 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesdays as senior shopping hours so customers ages 65 and older can get their shopping done. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals over the age of 65 are at increased risk of complications from the coronavirus.

We get that there are much bigger problems in the world, but we couldn’t help but laugh at some of these hilarious posts people are making about how much they’re missing Target. If you’re a Target lover, we feel confident you will enjoy these posts just as much as we do. — Rory (@rcdaly95) March 31, 2020I had a dream that I went to target & woke up thinking my dream was real. Now I'm upset #imisstarget — KCB (@kaseytheginge) October 31, 2014I miss the days of wandering aimlessly through the aisles of Target. #TARGET pic.twitter.com/KuPF3EAblD — jess (@jess_arabie) April 3, 2020Getting dressed up to go to #Target cause that’s one of the only places I’m allowed to go in this free world.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Publix is designating Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, 7 – 8 a.m., as senior shopping hours for customers age 65 and over, the company announced on Thursday. The change in hours will begin Tuesday, March 24, and continue until further notice. Publix Pharmacy will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to serve our senior population. RELATED | The Fresh Market: 1st hour of business dedicated to senior, most at risk customersAccording to the CDC, individuals over the age of 65 are at increased risk of complications from the coronavirus. Publix is offering these expanded hours to better support our elder community.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Fresh Market announced the first hour of business, Monday through Friday, will be designated for the shopping needs of senior customers, and those who are most at risk to COVID-19. The company released a statement on Tuesday that the stores will remain stocked and clean. RELATED | Dollar General: 1st hour of business to be dedicated to senior customers“Despite the uncertainty of this unfolding situation related to coronavirus containment efforts, The Fresh Market is committed to remaining open and well-stocked, while maintaining the highest standards of store cleanliness and safety for our guests and team members.”For more information, click here.

One of our favorite TV deals yet ... also from Target. You might even be able to get deals up to 70% off on select items (plus free shipping). At Levi’s, the company is offering 40% off full-priced items and an extra 50% off on sale items, plus free shipping when you enter CYBER. Forbes put out a handy list of the best Cyber Monday deals, which included this great find. We could round up TV deals all day.

After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is here to encourage the holiday spirit of giving. Michelle Miller has more.