WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Retailers start big promotions and discounts weeks before Black Friday

Retailers start big promotions and discounts weeks before Black Friday

By Connie Leonard - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Traditionally, the biggest sales of the holiday shopping season begin the day after Thanksgiving on Black Friday. But this year, retailers are feeling the increasing competition in the industry and are already leaking details of sales and offering early discounts to get shoppers in the door. 

The down economy has retailers pulling out all the stops with their extra early Christmas sales. It's great news for shoppers, especially those who hate having to fight the Black Friday crowds just to get a deal. 

Black Friday is the holiday shopping tradition that promises huge deals, as long as you can deal with the huge and sometimes out of control crowds. 

"Everybody kind of dreads Black Friday," said Bob Irvine of Louisville, a Target shopper. "We don't do it and we'd rather watch it on television rather than be out there with that mob." 

It's the kind of crazy more and more shoppers want to avoid. John Odenbach, manager of the St. Matthews Target, said many of their holiday shoppers echo what Irvine said; "Their goal is to be done before Black Friday," 

This year, as the Christmas trees go out, so come the deep discounts normally reserved for Black Friday. The big retailers know competition for customers will be tough this year. That is why Sears is offering Black Friday specials early mornings every Saturday in November and December. 

"Anything to get the word out there and get some buzz created, everybody is going to try whatever they can," said Robert Castle, manager of the Lowe’s Bashford Manor store, of the early sales.

Lowe's will start weekly tool demonstrations to get customers in early and over to their gift aisles. 

"The advertising that our company's doing along with everyone else, I think it's really going to drive people into the stores this year," Castle said.

Target’s Odenbach said this holiday season is going to be a very competitive and that’s why Target is sending out a toy coupon book to customers this week. Target has expanded its electronic department and has already put big sales on items like flat screen TV's, something that is a great Christmas present for shoppers like Irvine who said he was surprised at the great deal he got on a new TV.

With more products, Target also has a new price matching policy this year.

"If you bring in advertised goods of the same item for that current week, we will match that price," said Odenbach, who says Target is reacting to what their customers want. "They're out early looking for the bargins and as competition is increasing, they're making sure they're getting the best value they can."  

"This is a much more sensible way for us to shop, especially in this economy."  

Sears officials tell WAVE 3 their November and December promotion is called "Black Friday Now" and Sears will have doorbuster specials from 7 a.m. until Noon every Saturday. 

Economic analysts say with high unemployment and credit issues, there is no question that shoppers will be out early looking for those big discounts.

If you want to check out those savings, just click on the highlighted link: Black Friday Deals.

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