It's no secret that many Americans plan to designate November 23rd as their 2012 Black Friday Holiday shopping day. The day after American Thanksgiving promises to bring plenty of sales, discounts, fights and massive crowding.
According to a study conducted by CashNetUS, one out of four American citizens are worried they might not have the cash flow to purchase gifts for their family and friends this year. That's why affiliating Black Friday with Christmas gifts is a good idea; you can get more of what you want at a fraction of the price. The shopping holiday comes at an earlier time this year in hopes that more people will take advantage of all the deals.
However, with the disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy, it is predicted that with this year's 2012 Black Friday Holiday shopping, more sales will go towards home improvement and supermarkets rather than clothing and electronics.
Christmas Spending Charts
More People Will Engage In 2012 Black Friday Holiday Shopping
Trend Themes
1. Black Friday Shift - The disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy will shift 2012 Black Friday sales towards home improvement and supermarkets rather than clothing and electronics, offering an opportunity for businesses in these industries to kickstart or enhance their e-commerce strategies.
2. Budget-friendly Gifting - The percentage of American citizens worried about cash flow highlights an opportunity for retailers to re-calibrate their marketing, promotions, and pricing strategies to cater to customers looking for budget-friendly Christmas gifts.
3. Early-bird Deals - With Black Friday coming earlier this year, there's a chance for brands and retailers to get the attention of early-bird shoppers who are eager to save money on their gifting expenses.
Industry Implications
1. Home Improvement - The predicted shift in Black Friday sales towards home improvement means that online retailers and home improvement stores should leverage their ecommerce and delivery capabilities to excite the increasing number of US consumers willing to invest in home upgrades.
2. Supermarkets - The predicted shift in Black Friday sales towards supermarkets means supermarkets should leverage their ecommerce, omni-channel, and digital marketing capabilities to reach customers who plan to use curbside pickup or delivery services for their groceries and household essentials.
3. Electronics - The shift in sales away from clothing and electronics presents an opportunity for electronics retailers to re-strategize by placing more emphasis on online shopping experiences and promotions that appeal to shoppers who have shifted their priorities towards home entertainment and stay-at-home tech.