Black Wednesday at the Liquor Store

New Years Eve at the liquor store and it was Busy!  Busier than any retail stores I visited before Christmas.   If my sources are correct, alcohol and lottery ticket sales have actually increased during 2008 while sales in durable goods decreases.   What does this mean?   You can draw your own conclusions, but I waited in line for ten minutes at this "big box" liquor store this afternoon.   There had to have been at least 150 people there buying their favorite drink(s) of choice for a New Years blow out.  Granted this liquor store is much larger than your local neighborhood liquor store, but they had 8 checkout lanes open, and they were all lined up at least 6 - 8 people deep.

I think a lot of people just want to forget about 2008 and move on to 2009.   I hope everyone has a safe and festive new year.   Time to turn off the computer and twist open a cold beer!

Happy New Year!

Savages

If you've been following the news today, you've heard about chaos and death during a Black Friday sale in New York. What is wrong with people? Complete savages have made the news again. A clerk is trampled to death in Long Island, NY after opening the doors at a Wal-Mart and the doors were ripped off the hinges, according to other reports. And there are reports a pregnant woman has miscarried due to being trampled at the same store.

The New York Daily News is showing pictures of the chaotic scene. What did you expect when you have a sign on the wall that says, "Blitz Line Starts Here". Check it out here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html

After you are well rested from shopping this morning, please share your Black Friday stories with me.

Black Friday - Are you Ready?

A lot of hype is historically generated for Black Friday and this year will be no different. It is going to be even more competitive since the retail experts have suggested we will see a downturn in retail buying activity. With a great deal of uncertainty due to current economic conditions, retailers and shopping centers are using money to get you into their stores and shopping centers.

A recent article in the San Francisco Business Times indicated the Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord will be giving away four $250 gift cards starting at 6 a.m. on Black Friday, November 28th. That should get shoppers into their shopping center, and hopefully visiting stores, too.

As a consumer, you will be in a position to take advantage of agressive disounting. As a retailer, however, you will be under a great deal of pricing pressure. Depending upon your industry you may either discount heavily, or focus on your service, product selection, and niche products.

If you are looking for help with promotional activity this year, it is not too late. Visit our website at www.miraretail.com and contact us for assistance.