Black Friday incentives ranged from blockbuster deals on limited items, 20% to 33% off coupons, and "Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off"' promotions on select merchandise to sweepstakes and cash cards for spending over a certain amount.
NRF's
Black Friday shopping survey showed 195 million shoppers visited stores
and websites over Black Friday weekend, up from 172 million last year although
the average spend for the three days dropped to $343.31 per person from
$372.57 a year ago.
"Shoppers proved this weekend that they were willing to open their wallets for a bargain," said Tracy Mullin, NRF President and CEO.
Here are a few of the Black Friday retail strategies:
Wal-Mart ran its early bird special from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on a number of consumer electronic items and prominently guaranteed to match any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product.
Toys "R" Us opened at midnight with doorbusters running until Friday at 1:00 p.m. Extra door busters ran from 5:00 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Macy's ran "extra 20% off" specials from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and again from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. It also offered a $10-off coupon all day Friday and Saturday with certain brands and categories excluded.
Lord & Taylor handed out a Doorbuster Card worth $20 off a $40 purchase to the first 500 shoppers on Friday to use between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.
JC Penney ran a doorbuster sale from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, it offered a coupon for $15 off any purchase totaling $75 or more and $10 off any purchase of $50 or more. Certain items and brands were exempt.
Old Navy ran Friday-only as well as Saturday-only deals and also offered a $10-off coupon any purchase of $50 or more on Thanksgiving. It also offered a chance to win a $200 shopping spree and a free Rock Band guitar with a purchase of Rock Band 2 software.
The Sports Authority opened at 5:00 a.m. with the first 80 people at each store receiving a Bonus Bucks Card worth $10 to $500. Early bird deals at each store from 5:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. included "Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off" its entire footwear and socks assortments.
Dick's Sporting Goods offered a $25 cash card with any North Face purchase of $150 or more in its early bird deal. A $20 gift card came with any purchase of $100 or more all day.
Modell's offered a coupon worth 33 percent off any one regular priced team apparel item, one regular priced footwear item, or one regular priced sporting goods item. The coupon excluded certain brands and items.
Pier 1 Imports offered a chance to win a Disney Parks Celebration vacation.
Bed Bath & Beyond offered a straight 20 percent off any purchase between 6:00 a.m. and 10 a.m. Certain brands were excluded.
Discussion Questions: What package of promotions do you think works best for Black Friday? Which promotions best maximize spending over the holiday season? Do you have any personal observations of successful Black Friday promotions in your area?