Black Friday and Cyber Monday expected to draw bargain hunters
Working under the theory that good deals are even more attractive during an economic slump, retail experts are expecting big sales on Black Friday as shoppers seek out bargains.
Black Friday, the official start of the holiday shopping season, falls on the day after Thanksgiving. The day has long been popular for sales, freebies and door busters. This year, amid recession fears, retailers are counting on such tactics to bring in droves of money-conscious shoppers.
"Everyone is searching for bargains," said Peter Gill, spokesman for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. "I bet the stores will be packed on Black Friday."
The average consumer is expected to spend $832 during the 2008 holiday season, up 2.2 percent from last year, according to a survey commissioned by the National Retail Federation. Holiday spending has been increasing for many years, Gill said. Comparatively, a 2.2 percent bump is "fairly flat." A 4 percent increase has been average for the past decade. In the good years, spending increases about 8 percent, Gill said.
Wanting to stretch each dollar, consumers are going to be scouting out sales and shopping around for the best buys.
"The No. 1 thing consumers are looking for is price," Gill said. "They are trading down, being frugal and shopping discount stores."
McHenry County stores and shopping centers are preparing scores of seasonal promotions and sales designed to get people through their doors on Black Friday.
The busy weekend will start at midnight Thursday at Prime Outlets Huntley. And early-morning sale seekers are encouraged to wear PJs. The first 500 shoppers in their pajamas will get a free gift bag including Jockey sleepwear and random prizes at the Midnight Madness Pajama Jam at Prime Outlets Huntley, marketing manager Stephanie Henninger said. Fliers and more information about the promotions and associated sales are available online at www.primeoutlets.com/holiday. In addition, many individual outlet stores are offering sales throughout the weekend, with deep discounts from midnight Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday.
Algonquin Commons is giving away tote bags to the first 1,000 customers 13 or older starting at 6 a.m. Friday. The bags are randomly filled with store prizes, gift baskets, and gift cards between $5 and $500, spokeswoman Beth Hicks said. Algonquin Commons also will be giving away shopping sprees of up to $2,500 among other events and promotions, Hicks said.
Parking lots at both Algonquin Commons and Prime Outlets Huntley are expected to be filled to capacity. Henninger at Prime Outlets Huntley said the mall's parking spots went quickly last year. Police will be directing traffic Friday, and Henninger said she expects 1,500 to 2,000 people to turn out. Hicks said she also is expecting a full parking lot and lines at Algonquin Commons.
In addition to local shopping centers, retailers from national big-box stores to independents are discounting products to attract customers. Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and others are all promoting a variety of deals. Web sites such as bfads.net and spoofriday.com and dozens of similar ones give shoppers a sneak peek of Black Friday advertisements and specials.
Even some smaller stores are getting into the game.
"I'm looking forward to a crazy day," said Lisa Reiplinger, owner of Giftology at 30 Williams St., Suite J, in Crystal Lake.
Reiplinger is giving customers 20 percent off all Christmas decorations Saturday and Sunday at her store, which sells everything from mugs and candles to jewelry and funny napkins.
Other independent retailers are relying more on their regular customers than trying to entice hordes of shoppers with sales.
Pat Montemurro, owner of Wonderberry Tree at 3106 Three Oaks Road in Cary, skips the Black Friday hype. On the day after Thanksgiving, most shoppers are looking for bargains on big-ticket items and tend to overlook shops like Wonderberry Tree, she said.
"It's not a big day for us," she said.
Web merchants also are preparing for the traditional spike in online sales on Cyber Monday, the first work day after Black Friday.
Many Internet retailers are offering free shipping and other discounts to attract visitors on Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday shopping season, Gill said.
Amazon.com has deals directed at those who want to avoid long lines and the hassle of finding a parking spot at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Many sellers have taken a similar tack, touting the ease of online shopping while slashing prices, Gill said. In fact, some Internet outlets are engaged in all-out price wars this season.
"Promotions are coming earlier this year, and stores want to keep selling," Gill said.