Retailers predict brisk Black Friday sales
The day after Thanksgiving, known in the U.S. retail world as “Black Friday,” marks the official start of the Christmas shopping season.
While the economy has not yet recovered, consumers are expected to take advantage of the doorbusters offered on Black Friday. However, this year — for the first time — retailers will not be able to offer special sales for early bird shoppers, since the Consumer Affairs Department established that no retailer can hold a special sale for less than eight hours.
Even so, retailers have advertised very low prices and expect a great turnout, especially considering public employees received their Christmas bonus early this year.
“This year will be different than last year because we are going to have a double blitz; one in the morning and one in the afternoon to keep consumers shopping throughout the day,” said Iván Báez, Corporate Affairs Director for Wal-Mart Puerto Rico.
While they will have morning and afternoon sales, the sales will continue until all items are sold in compliance with Daco’s regulations.
“We have ordered large amounts of merchandise so that there is enough — within reason — for those who come in the morning or afternoon,” said Báez.
Wal-Mart anticipates a double-digit sales increase, as evidenced by its “Black Wednesday” sale at their Sam’s Club stores. Instead of a Black Friday sale, all nine Sam’s Club stores opened at 5 a.m. on Wednesday with doorbusters throughout that attracted thousands of consumers, said Báez, who witnessed a heavy flow of traffic in several stores.
For Wal-Mart stores on Friday, he expects the same kind of traffic or more.
“We are betting on our attractive prices, which should fit the budgets of every family so they can purchase gifts for everyone,” said Báez.
Wal-Mart Puerto Rico operates 15 Wal-Mart stores, which open at 5 a.m. Friday.
Consumer electronic retailer Best Buy also expects a good turnout this year, Héctor Berríos, communications manager for Best Buy said.
“We expect a lot more activity, especially with the recent opening of our Plaza Carolina store,” said Berríos.
He explained that last year, two stores opened before Black Friday attracting lots of consumers. Thus, he expects the same for not only the fifth store but all the stores.
Moreover, a lot of people have been asking about television and home theaters offers, as well as other electronics, Berríos added. Best Buy is offering doorbusters on all digital television sets, home theaters, cameras and computers, especially laptops.
With regard to the new Daco regulations, while some consumers may not get up as early for the crack of dawn sales because special prices will continue throughout the day, it is still on a a first-come-first-serve basis. While Best Buy has ordered extra merchandise for the sale, consumers know these will be available while supplies last.
Best Buy also opens at 5 a.m. Friday.
Shopping centers are also anticipating quite a turnout on Black Friday and have prepared special events to keep consumers entertained throughout the day.
Developers Diversified Realty, which owns and operates 15 shopping centers throughout the island, expects more shoppers out this Black Friday.
“Overall, we are very optimistic about the 2009 holiday season,” said Martha Hermilla, senior marketing director for DDR.
The International Council of Shopping Centers reports that over the course of the last year, some retail capacity has been removed and the stores remaining open during the upcoming holiday season will be stronger. Additionally, retailers will experience their first non-recession holiday season in three years resulting in renewed hope, consumer confidence and most likely, gift buying, she explained.
Moreover, the ICSC projects holiday sales will increase by approximately 1 to 2 percent, which is an increase from 2008 and signaling better times ahead for 2010.
“More shoppers are expected to be out on Black Friday this year and Centros Isla (DDR’s properties in Puerto Rico) has a retail mix that attracts loyal consumers and offer great promotions such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy, among others,” she added.
Since many of their consumers begin forming lines close to midnight on Black Friday, with the majority arriving around 3 a.m., Centros Isla will be hosting a parranda party for those waiting in line at all 15 properties.
Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own instruments or use the ones provided by Centros Isla to create the biggest Black Friday parranda in Puerto Rico, mall owners said.
While the economy has not yet recovered, consumers are expected to take advantage of the doorbusters offered on Black Friday. However, this year — for the first time — retailers will not be able to offer special sales for early bird shoppers, since the Consumer Affairs Department established that no retailer can hold a special sale for less than eight hours.
Even so, retailers have advertised very low prices and expect a great turnout, especially considering public employees received their Christmas bonus early this year.
“This year will be different than last year because we are going to have a double blitz; one in the morning and one in the afternoon to keep consumers shopping throughout the day,” said Iván Báez, Corporate Affairs Director for Wal-Mart Puerto Rico.
While they will have morning and afternoon sales, the sales will continue until all items are sold in compliance with Daco’s regulations.
“We have ordered large amounts of merchandise so that there is enough — within reason — for those who come in the morning or afternoon,” said Báez.
Wal-Mart anticipates a double-digit sales increase, as evidenced by its “Black Wednesday” sale at their Sam’s Club stores. Instead of a Black Friday sale, all nine Sam’s Club stores opened at 5 a.m. on Wednesday with doorbusters throughout that attracted thousands of consumers, said Báez, who witnessed a heavy flow of traffic in several stores.
For Wal-Mart stores on Friday, he expects the same kind of traffic or more.
“We are betting on our attractive prices, which should fit the budgets of every family so they can purchase gifts for everyone,” said Báez.
Wal-Mart Puerto Rico operates 15 Wal-Mart stores, which open at 5 a.m. Friday.
Consumer electronic retailer Best Buy also expects a good turnout this year, Héctor Berríos, communications manager for Best Buy said.
“We expect a lot more activity, especially with the recent opening of our Plaza Carolina store,” said Berríos.
He explained that last year, two stores opened before Black Friday attracting lots of consumers. Thus, he expects the same for not only the fifth store but all the stores.
Moreover, a lot of people have been asking about television and home theaters offers, as well as other electronics, Berríos added. Best Buy is offering doorbusters on all digital television sets, home theaters, cameras and computers, especially laptops.
With regard to the new Daco regulations, while some consumers may not get up as early for the crack of dawn sales because special prices will continue throughout the day, it is still on a a first-come-first-serve basis. While Best Buy has ordered extra merchandise for the sale, consumers know these will be available while supplies last.
Best Buy also opens at 5 a.m. Friday.
Shopping centers are also anticipating quite a turnout on Black Friday and have prepared special events to keep consumers entertained throughout the day.
Developers Diversified Realty, which owns and operates 15 shopping centers throughout the island, expects more shoppers out this Black Friday.
“Overall, we are very optimistic about the 2009 holiday season,” said Martha Hermilla, senior marketing director for DDR.
The International Council of Shopping Centers reports that over the course of the last year, some retail capacity has been removed and the stores remaining open during the upcoming holiday season will be stronger. Additionally, retailers will experience their first non-recession holiday season in three years resulting in renewed hope, consumer confidence and most likely, gift buying, she explained.
Moreover, the ICSC projects holiday sales will increase by approximately 1 to 2 percent, which is an increase from 2008 and signaling better times ahead for 2010.
“More shoppers are expected to be out on Black Friday this year and Centros Isla (DDR’s properties in Puerto Rico) has a retail mix that attracts loyal consumers and offer great promotions such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy, among others,” she added.
Since many of their consumers begin forming lines close to midnight on Black Friday, with the majority arriving around 3 a.m., Centros Isla will be hosting a parranda party for those waiting in line at all 15 properties.
Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own instruments or use the ones provided by Centros Isla to create the biggest Black Friday parranda in Puerto Rico, mall owners said.