New York – Retailers are trying to keep the Black Friday momentum
going with a host of post-Thanksgiving promotions.
Best Buy is using an assortment of exclusive bundles from Sony,
Samsung and Microsoft to keep shoppers coming back for more, including a
46-inch Sony LED IPTV and 160GB PlayStation3 for $1,300, a savings of more than
50 percent, the retailer said. The package, available through Dec. 11, is being
promoted in a humorous TV
shot specifically for the bundle.
The chain is also offering a free Microsoft LifeCam Studio webcam
(suggested retail $100) with the purchase of any Samsung QX410 laptop for $800
from Dec. 5-24.
“We know technology is topping holiday wish lists, and we want to
people to enjoy some of the best deals on the most popular tech gifts,” said
Mike Vitelli, president/Americas. “The holidays are all about connecting with and
enjoying time with friends and family, and we’re making that possible with some
great values that are only available at Best Buy.”
Best Buy will also open its stores at 8:00 a.m. beginning Dec. 6
(and at 7:00 a.m. on Dec. 24), and is introducing a series of 6-, 12-, 18- and
36-month no-interest financing offers through Jan. 8, 2011.
Meanwhile, in an effort to extend Cyber Monday’s record web-wide
sales, Walmart.com declared this week Cyber Week, which it’s marking with
special deals on 150 select products, including a 32-inch Samsung LED TV for
$498 plus free shipping.
The discounter’s online arm said its two top sellers this week
were an Apple iPod Touch 8GB bundle with accessory kit starting at $210, and a
26-inch 720p Viore LCD/DVD combo set for $249.
Post-Thanksgiving sales at Sears include a Panasonic 42-inch LED-TV
plus $50 gift card for $800, plus free shipping on thousands of CE products
priced $99 and higher with the use of the online code SANTA, while sister chain
Kmart is returning to Black Friday prices with a 22-inch Sylvania 720p LCD for $190.
Matthew Shay,
president/CEO of the National Retail Federation trade association (NRF),
encourages the efforts. “As retailers look ahead to the first few weeks of
December, it will be important for them to keep momentum going with savings and
incentives that holiday shoppers simply can’t pass up,” he said.
Indeed, a new report from StrategyOne indicates that the majority
of consumer holiday spending is still up for grabs. Eighty-seven percent of
consumers still have more gifts to purchase, and 77 percent are undecided about
exactly what gifts to buy this year, the research firm said.
