Black Friday 2011: More Sales Begin This Weekend
Retailers like Walmart, Toys R Us, Amazon.com and Best Buy kicked off their holiday sales this weekend – and the deals will continue through Black Friday.
Walmart held “Super Saturday” this weekend, hoping to appeal to shoppers who eschew seasonal shopping chaos in favor of smaller crowds and similar savings. Walmart says in-store items will remain on sale until the stock is wholly bought up, while online savings will continue throughout the shopping season.
Toys R Us is also offering early sales. An inaugural sales event that started Friday will continue through today. The store is offering up to 50 percent off on select items.
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Target is offering weekly sales online and in-store. Products bought online are eligible for both free shipping and a five percent discount.
Online retailer Amazon.com is announcing deals throughout the day, every day through Black Friday weekend. Already offered is 44 percent off a 32” Haier HDTV, 50 percent off Webkinz toys, 37 percent off camping equipment and loads of deals on books and magazines.
Sears is running their own Cyber Monday today, with free shipping on select products (including lawnmowers and tractors) and five to 15 percent off hundreds of items from grills to luggage.
Macy’s is currently running an additional 20 percent off select items through tomorrow.
Some consumers are choosing to save money this season by shopping from third-party sites like FatWallet.com and Ebates.com. Retailers use these sites as a portal to offer unique sales and diversify the angle from which they attack the consumer market.
Experts say these retailers are using early sales to put their names in the front of consumers’ minds. Come Black Friday, consumers will be more likely to visit a store that has been advertising savings throughout the month
Most retailers will enact aggressive price-matching programs in order to keep consumers in their stores. Walmart will offer the difference of any item sold for less elsewhere with a store gift card.
Holiday retail sales are expected to rise three percent, and experts say early sales have contributed to the optimism.
