A NRF survey found that the average shopper has completed slightly more than 47 percent of their holiday shopping so far. According to the NRF, this is about 10 percent less than last year. The survey also found that over 40 million shoppers have not yet started shopping. FYI: Those 40 million shoppers are mostly men.
We think consumers are waiting for sweeter and sweeter deals. Last week the department stores offered 20 percent off, this week it’s 30 percent. One thing’s for sure: you can’t leave your customers alone, because you can bet your competition won’t. Send customers e-mail blasts and phone them up. The Sports Authority called yesterday and left a nice message suggesting we stop in and pick up the 25 percent off coupon that’s waiting for us at the customer service counter.
From The Chicago Tribune:
Macy’s will keep some of its stores open 24-hours-a-day from Saturday morning, December 20 (the BIGGEST shopping day of the year) through Christmas Eve.
Macy’s began testing around-the-clock holiday shopping in 2006 when it kept its store at Queens Center in New York open for 24 hours. Last year Macy's rolled out the concept in a handful of locations. This year’s 108-hour marathon will conclude at 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Thirteen Macy’s stores in Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, Connecticut and New York will be open 24/7 for your shopping pleasure.
The 24/7 marathon will be particularly helpful for those 40 million shoppers have not yet started their holiday shopping. Seriously, this is shopper convenience to the max. It’s also a ripe environment for some pretty tired store associates.
And from the category of “You just can’t make this stuff up …”
Burger King has a new … wait for it … fragrance. What stylin’ guy wouldn’t want to enter a room and leave a trail of “Flame” in his wake? Flame, by the way, is described as the “the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat.”
This perhaps is the perfect gift for the man who traditionally waits until the very last minute to shop for his significant other. Payback is hell. Or at least flame-broiled.
