HOUSTON – Shoppers hit Houston retailers early Black Friday looking for deals.
A long line of shoppers snaked around the Victoria's Secret store in Pearland Town Center about 6:30 a.m. Black Friday. It was the only store with a crowd waiting for the doors to open in the shopping center. Once inside, the throng of people picked up anything they could grab.
"Yeah, I'm just grabbing everything," explained one shopper, her arms full of leggings and lounge wear. "And then I'm gonna do process of elimination, you know."
Shoppers at JCPenny were more strategic.
"We have a system," said one mom, waving her kids' wish lists.
Other shoppers who braved the crowds said it is just as much about the memories as it is the markdowns.
"Over the years, it's kind of just become our tradition," said Tallie Hodges, who was at JCPenny shopping with her five friends. "We just love coming out and having fun with each other."
The group of six says they've braved Black Friday crowds together for the last 7 consecutive years. They started shopping at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving and planned to stay out until noon Friday.
Most stores are open Black Friday until 9 or 10 p.m.