Survival Tips

Have a game plan. Look at the special offers being listed and make a list of stores you want to hit . And don’t miss the department stores—they don’t always have specific sales listed online (Neiman Marcus Last Call and Barney’s New York Outlet have still not listed any events) because, as an associate from Barney’s revealed, they often don’t know what the definitive discounts will be until the day before. (We were told to expect 30% and possibly 40% off the lowest ticketed price.)

And speaking of planning ahead, you can always sign up to become a Premium Outlets VIP member, and you’ll get exclusive coupons online and a voucher for a free VIP coupon book, plus the scoop on deals and events happening at your favorite stores.

When we spoke to Michele Rothstein, the Senior VP of Marketing at Premium Outlets back in 2011, she had her own valuable tips to share on how to make the most of it, including how to stay connected as last-minute sales are added, and why it might not be a bad idea to rent a room nearby.

Special Discounts

In addition to the outlet’s year-round discounts and the Black Friday extra %-offs that most stores will offer, there are a few specific deals to keep an eye out. Note that some exclusions will apply, so it’s good practice to check in with the stores your planning to go if you’re looking for something particular.

Adidas: 30% off and door busters.
Banana Republic: 50% off everything
BareMinerals: 20% off all purchases until 8am Friday. Buy a $60 Get Starter Kit and get the second Get Starter Kit for 50% off.
Calvin Klein: Additional 15% off already 20% to 60% off prices until 2AM
Converse: $15 to $25 sneakers, $5 tees and $20 watches, as well as buy one, get one at 50% off for footwear
Diesel: Extra 30% off
DKNY: Extra 10% off any purchase of four items or more
Dolce Gabbana: 30% to 70% select apparel
Escada: Extra 25% off
Gap: $12.99 sweaters
Hugo Boss Factory Store: 40% off your entire purchase until 5am on Friday.
John Varvatos: Extra 40% off from 9pm to 4am, which drops to extra 30% off after 4AM
Lacoste: Extra 40% off
Levi’s: All jeans are $29.99 when you purchase two or more
Longchamp: Extra 30% off small leather goods
Nike: Extra 20% off
Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th: Buy one pair of men’s or women’s denim, get one free until noon on Friday, November 29th. 50% off outerwear, cashmere, winter accessories, men’s shoes, watches and children’s wear, 40% off the rest of store.
Salvatore Ferragamo: 50% to 70% off original prices on women’s fall/winter shoes, handbags, small leather goods, ready-to-wear, and knitwear.
Ted Baker London: 30% off the entire store
Tod’s: Extra 30% to 60% off on handbags, as well as extra 30% to 50% off on women’s shoes and boots

Hours

The stores at Woodbury Common will begin opening at 6PM, so if you choose, you can begin your Black Friday shopping the second that last bite of pumpkin pie is gone. Below is a list of store openings, broken down by time slot: 6pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, and midnight.

6pm: 2b bebe, AIX Armani Exchange, Adidas, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BareMinerals, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Carter’s, The Children’s Place, Coach, Cole Haan, Converse, Diesel, DKNY, Ecko Unltd, Elizabeth Arden, Fossil, G.H. Bass Co., G-Star Raw, Gap, Guess, Hugo Boss, Izod, J.Crew, Jones New York, Jos. A. Bank, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade New York, Kenneth Cole, Loft, Nautica, Nine West, The North Face, PacSun, Perfumania, Perry Ellis, Puma, Reebok, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Samsonite, Skechers, Solstice Sunglass, Sony, Superdry, Sunglass Hut, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion Brand Jeans, Tumi, UGG Australia, Van Heusen, and Vera Bradley (with Longchamp at 6:30).

9pm: 7 For All Mankind, AG Adriano Goldschmied, Crabtree Evelyn, Furla, Gucci, Guess Accessories, IIori Eyewear Boutique, Jack Spade, John Varvatos, Johnston Murphy, Lacoste, L’Occitane, The Luggage Factory, MaxStudio.com, Michael Kors, Swarovski, TSE, Zales. Oh, and Starbucks.

10pm: Aldo, BCBG Max Azria, Bose, Chloe, Columbia Sportswear, Corningware Corelle More, The Cosmetic Company Store, Geox, Kipling, Levi’s, Maidenform, Movado Company Store, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sarar, Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Spyder, Theory, Thomas Pink, Timberland, Tory Burch, and Vineyard Vines.

11pm: Dooney Bourke, Sunglass Station, and TAG Heuer. At midnight, everything opens that hasn’t already.

Transportation

It’s true: the early bird does get the worm. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare even on an average Saturday, so if you’re driving, you want to be there when things open to get a spot. There will, however, be extra parking off exit 17 on the Palisades Parkway, with a frequent shuttle to take you to the outlets (directions to that are here).

If you’re taking the bus, you still want to get there as early as you can, because lines form outside of the stores: Coach, Tory Burch and Kate Spade had crazy queues (orderly and calm, but very, very long) last year. According to a rep at Woodbury, two of the bus lines that service the outlets from the city will be running at a normal or almost normal schedule on Thanksgiving into Black Friday: Gray Line/Coach USA and Shortline. Both leave from Port Authority and both are $42 round trip ($21 for kids).

Shortline is going to be leaving about every 20 minutes from Port Authority starting at 5pm on Thursday until 2am Friday morning. Coming back, they will also leave about every 20 minutes, starting at 11pm Thursday night until 6am Friday morning. After that point, the bus will return to normal schedule with less frequent times, which can be found here.

The Gray Line buses will start leaving from Port Authority at midnight Thursday night, and will leave every half hour until 10pm Friday night. Return is the same: every half hour between midnight and 10pm. Book Gray Line here.

Freezing on your shopping excursion? Tommy Hilfiger cares. Courtesy of the brand, complimentary hot beverages will be served near the bus pick-up spot in the parking lot.
· Seven Outlets You Can Easily Drive to on Black Friday [Racked NY]
· How to Survive Black Friday at Woodbury Common [Racked NY]