Here are the latest success stories from Black Friday and Beyond. Send us yours!
From Wendy:
We had the receipt auction on Sat. the 17th. It was super fun. It got very competitive,but not out of control. The ladies all seemed to really enjoy it. I was a little disappointed in the turn out and everyone had lots of parties etc. to go to as soon as we finished. But over all it was a success. I had rearranged the store so it was very comfortable for everyone to sit and bid. I have attended many auctions,so we ran it just like a real auction with everyone having to sign in and get a bid # on a card, also at this time we added up all their receipts so everyone knew their exact amount to spend. We had cookies and candy canes for everyone to enjoy as well. Thanks for the idea. Wendy
More from Wendy:
I did the wish list idea again this year. If customers filled out their wish lists by Nov. 23rd they got a coupon for the 25th for 30% off until 9 am and then it went down to 25% till noon and then 20% through Saturday. We also offered hot chocolate, donuts and muffins which my husband served. We had a spinner wheel at the cash register, they had a chance for an additional percent off or free gift. We also had free gift wrapping available for the frenzied husband or two.Another idea I got at memory trends, We saved all of our new Christmas/winter products and put them out the week before Thanksgiving covered with a couple of sheets with a sign saying will be unveiled at 6 am on Friday the 25th. Big curiosity generator!
From Cat:
I decided I had better get back to you on how this worked. It was GREAT! Customers came in all day with their bags and were filling them up. I ran a special from 4-6pm for the "Slow Pokes" and that brought in another large crowd of shoppers that wanted to hit that extra %off. They loved the time because they had hit Wal-Mart and Sears and still were able to get a good deal at my store later. The coupons on the bag were for Dec 1-15, Dec 16-31 and Jan 1-15. They have already come back to use their coupons and some have had to tape up their bags with packing tape! Hope all went well for everyone. Cat!
From Sam:
Georg & Rich, I'll tell you what, had I not done something right away in the morning, I would have been in trouble. But we did VERY well on Black Friday! Thanks for pushing us to always do more than we think we can! Sam
Note from Georganne & Rich:
Sam ran our 50% Off Coupon Event from 6:00 AM -- 9:00 AM. E-mail us for complete instructions: promos@kizerandbender.com The 50% Off Coupon Event works all year long!
From Bonnie:
I just wanted you to know that as slow as it has been, we opened our store at 6:00 AM on Black Friday. For the first time ever not too many showed up at 6:00 AM but we gathered steam by 7:00 AM. By the end of the day we did nearly $4,000.00! Unbelievable! God blessed us again, overfilled our basket and allowed me to pay bills and stay on track.We touched lots of folks, did makit & takits, and laughed a lot. 30 shoppers signed up for scrappin' this afternoon and this evening! Such a inspiration you continue to be. Bonnie, Scrapbook Village
Note from Georganne & Rich
We love how Bonnie ran her sale. She invited the shoppers into the store before it officially opened because it was so cold outside. Once inside they enjoyed hot coffee and donuts. Think the big box stores did that?! Nope.As each shopper entered the store she was handed a ticket that signified the time she arrived at the store. Bonnie's tickets were colored coded: Shoppers who came at at 6:00 AM were given red tickets or 50 percent off of their purchase. Shoppers who arrived from 8:00 -- 9:00 AM received a blue ticket and 35 percent off of their purchase. Shoppers who came later missed out on the early bird price. Once inside you could shop, play, crop, visit, etc. at your leisure. When a shopper was ready to check out -- some did not hit the check out counter until well past the early hours that they arrived -- you turned in your ticket and got the door buster discount.This event was so much fun that many customers returned on Saturday to shop again!
Go back and read the comments to each post -- you'll find great suggestions and ideas from retailers just like you!
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