Black Friday sales up 6 percent over '05

[blssed2bme]

Interesting article about BF that I thought you might like. Enjoy!

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061125/ap_on_bi_ge/black_friday_sales

[Twister234]

Good story. I can't imagine Walmart not having huge gains in sales. After all there is no telling how much money they made off the "secret items". Surely they sold billions of those " secret bath robes". I was in one of the stores yesterday around noon after the madness and there were LOTS of those "hot" items that everyone held their breath to see on Thanksgiving day still sitting in the aisles and not a lot of people were shopping. I left there and went to Target where it still looked like the doors had only been open five minutes. That was my first visit to a Super Target and I have to tell you, I was impressed. Clean, bright, well stocked, and even associates in the aisles pointing you to the register with the shortest lines. Wake up Walmart.... Stop by Target and see how it should be done. I wonder if they have marked the "secret robes" down yet..... I might start next year's shopping early.

[elena_398]

Heck my Walmart never got those in nor did they get the leather jackets. Didn't want one though.

[Novac]

Surely they sold billions of those " secret bath robes".

[sm1kla]

This is for mall-based stores, Walmart wouldn't be included in this projection. It would be interesting to see what they are considering as total sales in this story, it could include commodity items like gum and bottled soft drinks-which would show a higher consumer spend.

 

Our mall was busier much early this year. There is a shift in how retailers are marketing & consumers are spending. This year is an example of that. For decades discount department stores like Walmart & Kmart owned BF and had a considerable percent of the market share. As BF is becoming more mainstream, specialty retailers are also looking to capitalize on holiday sales.

[sherrinfred]

Could anyone tell me what this statement means:

Wal-Mart's disappointing performance in November is the latest in a string of anemic sales gains for the discount store, which is struggling to expand its appeal to higher-income shoppers.

[Illinoismom]

simple they are not intrested in lower or middle class shoppers they want the Upper middle and higher income shoppers to be their target goal. They do not care about the common joe

[sm1kla]

Could anyone tell me what this statement means:

Wal-Mart's disappointing performance in November is the latest in a string of anemic sales gains for the discount store, which is struggling to expand its appeal to higher-income shoppers.

Walmart has always been identified as the retailer for the poor, redneck, backwoods, etc. I'm sure you have heard'em all. They also have a bad reputation as a big box retailer, they move in there goes the neighborhood, say goodbye to mom & pop local stores. They aren't gaining market share like they once were when they began expanding. Every retailer needs to continue to gain loyal customers or they just cannabolize their other sales. (same shoppers buying different items, but not spending more money)

 

Ideally as a retailer you want to gain appeal to higher-income shoppers, who obviously have more money to spend, and are more likely to make more impulse purchases-Target does this very well. Although their prices are competitive with Walmart on everyday things. Their marketing strategy isn't everyday low prices, they market their innovative brands like Isaac Mizrahi. Higher-income demos do not identify well with Walmart because of the reputation.

[sherrinfred]

Well, I think us poor folks help get them where they are today. They show gratitude well.