Retailers Push Early Holiday Sales
DETROIT (WWJ) - Retailers are encouraging people to get a jump-start on their holiday shopping - hoping you think Christmas long before you think Thanksgiving.
University of Detroit-Mercy Marketing professor Mike Bernacchi says despite the early start, it shouldn't affect sales on Black Friday-- those are expected to be up from last year.
"On Black Friday, everybody hops all over the place trying to get the best deal they possible can and if you can have an early Black Friday ... what we wind up with, is the ability to get the consumer to yourself right at that particular time," noted Bernacchi.
Bernacchi notes that some major stores are already having 'Super Sale Days' and stores like KMart and Sears are advertising lay-a-way incentives.
"You know - the projection is anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 percent overall for the country and that's certainly not shabby, it does convert into billions of dollars," said Bernacchi.
Another change from last year's shopping season-- Bernacchi says to expect fewer items on the shelves-- after retailers had too much left on their hands in 2010.
