Chains Tout Sub-$500 TVs For Super Bowl

And Throw In No-Interest Financing

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 2/1/2010

Bentonville, Ark. - In a flashback to Black Friday, big-box chains are mounting aggressive TV price and financing promotions in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLIV.


Both discounters are going toe-to-toe on a 55-inch 1080P Vizio, which Walmart is selling for one dollar less at $1,298.

Also in Target's Super Bowl assortment is a 47-inch Philips 1080p 120Hz LCD TV for $848, while Walmart is filling that size tier with a 1080p Vizio for $898.

The two chains are also promoting their new home-installation and setup services, which both start at $99. Walmart is outsourcing its program to NEW Customer Service Companies, while Target recently tagged Zip Express Installation to handle its customers' in-home chores.

In addition, Target is offering zero-percent financing through next September on TVs 32 inches and larger that are purchased with the company's private-label credit card.

"We're making value and convenience our top priority for our guests," said Mark Schindele, Target's senior merchandising VP. "With this new financing offer, guests can save big on great name-brand TVs."

By contrast, Best Buy, the sole national CE specialty big-box chain, extended its no-interest offer out to three years on HDTV, home-theater and home-installation purchases of $999 or higher. The retailer has also partnered with Samsung on an LED promotion that bundles eight models with a free BD-P1600 Blu-ray Disc player. TVs include the 46-inch, 120Hz UN46B6000VF for $1,600, which was also available for a limited time with a Samsung sound bar and Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc player, plus Best Buy HDMI cable and installation, for $2,000 in total.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis-based hhgregg, whose home-town Colts will contend for Super Bowl supremacy with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, is marking the event by extending its "Employee Family Discount" program to virtually all product categories.

In TV, sales include a 32-inch Sharp Aquos LCD for $348 and a 50-inch LG plasma for $698, along with the 120Hz Samsung LED TV that is bundled with a BD player for $1,600. The chain is also offering 12 months of interest-free financing on all TVs $397 and more, and extends the promotion to 24 months on sets $999 and higher.