Article published November 26, 2009
Unknown is in store for big shopping day
Will Black Friday bring out spenders?
John Kowalski guides a pallet of merchandise through The Andersons in Toledo. The chain’s holiday strategy is value-priced items, practical gifts, and appliances.
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THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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By JON CHAVEZ
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
Tomorrow's Black Friday shopping extravaganza promises to be full of surprises: unexpected bargains for consumers, uncertain results for retailers.
"I expect big crowds. The question is: How long will they stay out there shopping?" said retail consultant Britt Beemer, president of America's Research Group. "If they walk in the door and the advertised deals aren't there any longer, they'll walk out."
The National Retail Federation is predicting per-shopper spending to average $360 between Friday and Sunday. If so, that would be down 3.4 percent from last year's Black Friday sales.
"We're still expecting a busy day with a lot of people out there," said Kathy Grannis, a federation spokesman. "Many will wake up and see the deals that are out there and go check them out. Maybe they won't spend their entire budget tomorrow, but we do believe they will put a good dent in them."
Like many retail experts, the federation is fearing the worst but hoping for the best.
The still-shaky economy has many experts and retailers perplexed as to what this weekend of shopping - which kicks off tonight at midnight at some stores - will bring.Meijer Stores Inc. is hedging its bets with its Black Friday strategy, offering a variety of specials and door busters today, tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.
"We're preparing for big crowds, but we're adding some flexibility to the whole Black Friday 'door buster' thing," said Frank Guglielmi, a Meijer spokesman. One special is a 32-inch LCD TV for $300.
At The Andersons, Rick Swank, director of merchandising, is employing a different strategy: value-priced items, practical gifts, and appliances.
"We have a mixed economy and it's sending retailers mixed messages," he said. One deal at the Maumee firm's general stores is a Nintendo Wii video console for $170. But the retailer also will offer deals on refrigerators and washers and dryers.
"We figure if you have a need for those appliances, you're going to take advantage of those great opportunities that we have out there," Mr. Swank said.
The Andersons is trying another unorthodox strategy: Rather than compete directly tomorrow morning with big toy sellers such as Toys 'R' Us and Wal-Mart, it will hold off until the evening. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., toys at The Andersons will be 35 percent off.
Special events and discounting will occur at stores throughout the Toledo area, from Levis Commons in Perrysburg to Shops at Fallen Timbers in Maumee to Spring Meadows shopping center in Holland to Westfield Franklin Park mall and other centers in Toledo. Store opening hours tomorrow typically range from 4 to 6 a.m.
Mr. Beemer, the retail consultant, said not all retailers will have big-ticket items in large quantities. He said some will have just 4 to 12 per store, which he said could be risky. "It's the big-ticket items that get people excited, and if those items are not out there, it could be a disappointing day for many retailers."
A recent survey by Consumer Reports found that 66 percent of Black Friday shoppers will buy for themselves. Kristie Grandsko of Whitehouse, who goes shopping on that day every year with her mother, said she doesn't set out to buy for herself, but sometimes the deals are too good.
"I never intend on buying for myself, but it kind of always happens," she said. "I start out buying for other people, and when I get out there, it's usually a different story."
Ms. Grandsko said she will plan her shopping strategy today and head out to the stores at midnight.
"Personally, I don't think there'll be anything better this Friday than there will be the next Friday or the Friday after that," she said. "I have been looking at the ads online and I haven't found anything that great."
However, the deals and selection this weekend probably will be the best of the season, she said. "It's all an adrenaline rush for me. It's not that there's anything great out there, but I just enjoy it."
Contact Jon Chavez at:
jchavez@theblade.com
or 419-724-6128.
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