BLACK FRIDAY…it may be just a single day in November, but as the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season, it’s a pretty big deal for retailers.
If you’re gearing up for greatness on Friday, November 29, then we’ve got tips to help you make the most of this opportunity to maximize your sales, and keep shoppers coming back for more all season long.
11 IDEAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF BLACK FRIDAY
Gift Guides. We love a curated gift guide around here—they’re an easy way to promote customer favorites before a big sales event. Consider your customer, and build a few meaningful product collections based on who they are likely to shop for: Gifts for Women, Gifts for Men, Gifts for Kids, Grandparent Gifts, Pastor Gifts, Teacher Gifts, Gifts Under $25. Promote on social media, in store (they make great displays!), and in email.
VIP Black Friday Event. Offer exclusive sales to your VIP customers either all day, or offer special shopping hours for VIP customers only, including giveaways just for VIPs.
Hourly Deals. By offering hourly deals for a limited time on Black Friday, you can boost traffic and engage customers with #FOMO—Fear of Missing Out. Consider offering special deals or extra savings during times that are typically slower for your store, to help with traffic distribution.
Gift Card Promos. Max out the potential of gift cards on Black Friday. You get the revenue today, and provide the inventory later—such as in January or February when your store may be a little slower. Consider offering a $5 bonus gift card with every $25 purchase; give bonus cards an expiration date to bring customers back into the store in the month of December. Another option would be offering $100 worth of gift cards for $75 on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday.
Buy More Save More. Tiered discounts can increase your average sale value, and customers will be prepared to spend on Black Friday. Spend $50+ Save 10%, Spend $75+ Save 15%, Spend $100+ Save 25%. To determine dollar amounts that will work for your customer base, start with the value of your average sale, and consider what the next logical spending tier would be.
Ask for Referrals. Black Friday is an ideal time to build referral business for your store. Hand customers a coupon with their receipt: $5 off $25 for You, $5 off $25 for a Friend, good in the month of December. It’s a reminder for them to come back again before Christmas, and an easy invitation for them to share with a friend or neighbor. They get to feel generous, and you gain new customers. #winning
Upsell + Bundle. Tour your store with an eye toward which products complement each other, and which brands or product types can easily be bundled as a set. As an example, purchase a Kerusso brand T-shirt, score an inspirational journal for 25% Off. Buy 2 books, choose a bookmark for half price. Buy 3 pairs of socks, choose a 4th for free. Train your staff in advance of the day so everyone is confident talking up opportunities like this across the store.
Grow Your Email List. Invite every single customer to join your email list in the weeks leading up to Black Friday. Let them know you’ll be sending special offers for email friends only for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Then—follow through. If you haven’t been taking advantage of email marketing, now is the time.
Loyalty Programs. If you’re already doing punch cards or a digital loyalty program, Black Friday is an awesome time to reward your regulars with extra points. Offer double or even triple points on Black Friday, or an extra punch “just for shopping with us today.” Repeat customers are incredibly valuable to your business, and they’ll love being rewarded for choosing you for their holiday shopping.
Launch a New Product. If you’re planning to bring in a new brand or type of product to your store, Black Friday is an exciting time to premier these fresh offerings. Tease your new release beforehand, and make sure you have adequate inventory on hand to meet customer demand. You could also make this a #LimitedEdition product drop—available on Black Friday or that weekend only.
Shop & Win Raffle. Anyone who shops during Black Friday can enter to win a grand prize—no purchase necessary to enter. For those who do make a purchase, the more they spend, the more raffle entries they get. Announce your winner on social media on Monday, allowing shoppers to enter all weekend.
