MACON, Ga. — The holiday shopping season has officially arrived, and Macon-area retailers are gearing up for what is expected to be the biggest shopping weekend of the year. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals rolling out, stores are preparing for both in-person crowds and a major wave of online shoppers.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts a record 186.9 million to 187 million Americans will shop between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — the highest number ever recorded. Millions will visit brick-and-mortar stores, but an estimated 74 million people are expected to shop online during Cyber Monday alone.

At Rumor Boutique on Forsyth Road, owner Ashley Johnson says her shop will open two hours earlier than usual on Black Friday.

“We rely on the busy holiday season, an

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