Black Friday, a retail sales tradition that has its roots in the post Thanksgiving sales United States from around 100 years ago.
Amazon really got behind Black Friday. Today in the US, you’d see almost every retailer engaged in one way or another.
Here in Australia, engagement with Black Friday has grown, slowly at first, faster in recent years.
This year, walk around any mall or along any high street shopping setting ad you will see retailers engaged.
Black Friday is an opportunity to quit slower lines and to sell items sourced specifically. It’s also an opportunity to make space before the run home to Christmas.
There are no rules around what to discount or the level of discounts. But because the season is now sir widely adopted, you are in a crowded marketplace and need to yell to be seen and heard.
In my experience, engaging with Black Friday is worth it. We play in-store and well as online. We go out 2 or 3 days before Friday and run through to midnight Monday. Our discounts range from 40% to 50%. We have a good mix of products purchased at a discount so as to maintain GP%.
It’s not too late to engage this year is you move fast today. The display does not need to be special. The key is placement in the best position on the shop floor, simple signage and a pitch on social media.