Black Friday: Retailers brace for big spend-up
Bargain shopping frenzy could even be bigger than the traditional Boxing Day sales
Black Friday sales could be “higher than Boxing Day” as Bay retailers prepare for an influx of shoppers. Hopes for a much-needed post lockdown boost to the industry are already under way as shoppingmalls report an early Christmas rush, which is expected to peak tomorrow.
Black Friday is an informal name for the Friday after Thanksgiving Day in the United States and is regarded as the start to the country’s Christmas shopping season.
But the American shopping holiday is gaining traction in New Zealand with Bay retailers also marking it.
NZ Retail chief executive Greg Harford said Black Friday was “huge” internationally and had become a big fixture on the Bay’s retail calendar.
“Tauranga and Rotorua consumers are already making the most of deals available online, and it’s likely that sales across the region on Friday will be higher than on Boxing Day.
“That reflects a general trend towards shopping at the end of November as consumers look for deals to kickstart their Christmas shopping.”
Harford said there would be great deals available from many retailers in the next few days, but there were some challenges with getting stock into the country as a result of Covid19.
“This means that customers might not have the same choices within product ranges that they would normally expect — but the deals will still be there.”
Palmers Bethlehem owner Shane Smith was expecting a busy Black
Friday, with the store’s Black Five Day Sale running from November 27 to December 1.
“We’ve got everything from specials on Weber barbecues, spa pools, trees and shrubs, roses — right across the garden centre we’re going to have specials running from our seedlings to in-store gifts.”
Smith said Palmers launched Black Friday sales for the first time last year but have ramped sales up this year.
“It was very successful last year . . . I think as retailers we’ve got to be part of it. It’s created a life of its own and we need to be in there.
“To some degree, it pulls some December sales forward. It is an important part of the retailers’ toolbox right now.”
The sale wascontinuing at Palmers Rotorua and owner Darryl Pierce expected business to ramp up as it was the first time Weber barbecues had a sale this year.
“There will be great deals for customers and it creates good cash flow for the businesses.
“I hope the public get out and support the local businesses who are working hard to try and survive and do their best.”
Jannine and Rod Pearce, owners of Rotorua Jewellers and Te Puke Jewellers, were also gearing up for a busy weekend.
The business was offering 30 per cent off jewellery and 20 per cent off watches on Friday and Saturday.
“It’s really just to encourage people to shop local,” Jannine said. “It has been a tough year but in saying that we have been really heartened by the local support.”
Jannine said she had noticed Black Friday sales were big in major chain stores and decided to “give it a good nudge” themselves.
“This year supply has been an issue but we’ve managed to get good amount of new product in and have been busy manufacturing some of our own too.
“We’ve all been hit pretty hard taking nearly two-and-a-half months of income out of 12 months. It’s a chance to recoup some of that [income].”
Furniture Zone marketing manager and co-ordinator Tristan Tolley said the company was hosting a Bed Bash at all its stores nationwide, including Tauranga and Rotorua.
The sales included mattresses as low as $99 or $500 off queen mattresses.
“From a marketing point of view, stores are all looking for anything to get people in the door and increase foot traffic again. Also as a westernised country, we’re going to follow in the footsteps of the culture setting country which is the United
It was very successful last year . . . I think as retailers we’ve got to be part of it. Shane Smith