Black Friday vs Cyber Monday

It's that time of the year again. Grab your checkbooks, sleeping bags, and running shoes! Black Friday is rapidly approaching and the anticipated sales are expected to be the same or less than last years according to the NDP group. While one of the reasons behind this may be the recession mindset, another contributing factor is Cyber Monday.

What's that? I don't need my sleeping bag or running shoes? I can just sit at my computer and shop without being pushed and shoved? Amazing.

Finally shoppers are starting to holiday shop via Cyber Monday. According to a survey from Compete research: 43% of respondents plan to shop on Cyber Monday while only 37% plan to shop on Black Friday.



Cyber Monday brought in $887 million last year, while Black Friday brought in $595 million.

Many retailers have been promoting their holiday deals through their social media campaigns. A number of huge retailers are getting in on the action via twitter and facebook.

 Last year many companies did giveaways and special deals and notified shoppers via twitter. According to Mashable these are some of the ones to watch this year:
 @NeweggHotDeals
- @SearsDeals
- @AmazonDeals
- @ToysRUs
- @KmartDealsnNews
- @WalmartSpecials
- @StaplesTweets

Other shoppers are also sharing great finds they found. If you search for hashtags like #CyberMonday, #coupon, or #savings you can find some great deals. Even searching an item you want such as #flip video or #sony tv can bring up results and potential finds.

So set your alarm clock, fire up the computer, and get that mouse ready. It's almost here!

Target embraces LBSN

Target has now joined other major retailers by adopting Shopkick, a location based shopping application and rewards program. It is currently on the Iphone and is soon to be released for the Android, and will be testing in 242 of the Target stores located in Chicago, New York, San Fransisco, Minneapolis, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Shopkick is simple for customers to use. Instead of having to checkin like you would have to on Gowalla or Foursquare, Kickbox automatically checks you in. All they have to do is have the application up on your phone and you will automatically receive "kickbucks" just for walking in. These kickbucks can then be used to redeem rewards. For example at Macy's it may result in a 15% discount off a purchase. Shopkick gives customers rewards for walking into a store, and also scanning barcodes in the store.


This is a great way for businesses to keep track of its customers and offer rewards to encourage return visits and further customers brand loyalty to the company.


Target is also taking it a step further and stepping up to be the first retailer to offer mobile coupons. Your phone will automatically receive these mobile coupons when on the kickbox application and entering a store.


Here is a short video about Kickbox:





Do you think more retailers will start taking advantage of Location Based Social Networking? It seems to be very beneficial to the businesses already using them.

Google SOARS!

It looks like this year Santa may decide to fly Virgin America, Air Tran, or Delta. Now he can get on his IPad via complimentary WiFi from Google and check off the naughty and nice kids on his "Santa's list" application. Maybe we'll all get our presents a day earlier!

Not sure what I'm talking about?
 

Google announced that for this holiday season it will be offering free Wi-Fi from Gogo on all domestic U.S. flights on Virgin America, Air Tran, and Delta. Passengers no longer have to decide whether they want to pay an additional $10 to get online.

Last year Google offered free Wi-Fi at dozens of airports across the U.S. and are now stepping up the antics. This free service will last from November 20, 2010 through January 2, 2011.


It appears to be a good incentive to these airlines. And these holiday gifts from Google will definitely help them to continue to dominate the market. Will this cause a lot of fliers to change airlines?

It isn't that expensive on some airlines. Southwest announced last week that it will offer Wi-Fi for only $5 no matter the length of the flight for the next two years in the 32 planes equipped with it. An according to MaximunPC less than 10% of passengers actually use Wi-Fi. Will this drastically increase the number of in-flight Wi-FI users? Maybe this increase will lead to new consumers entering the market after the promotion and increase demand.

But is saving $5-10 off your $200 airline ticket going to bring in the business for these airlines?

Well, we are Americans and Americans like free stuff. So I think, yea, it will! After all how many of us waited in line for 20-30 minutes to get a free piece of grilled chicken from KFC or a free milkshake from Chick-fil-a? They would both cost under $5.

Is it worth it to you??

Amazon embraces facebook

Amazon has recently decided to start allowing its users to buy gift cards online on their website and deliver them to their friend via facebook. Customers can post the gift cards to their friends wall, just like if they were sending them a gift off one of the current facebook apps using their facebook credits.



However, by giving out these Amazon gift cards, people can actually buy REAL tangible items!! Not virtual goods, but real ones! I'm sorry, I guess I'm a little cynical. It's hard for me to understand why people waste money on virtual gifts like pictures of a gifts as opposed to actually buying a gift. Regardless, Amazon's strategy is a great idea.

By going to their website you can select the delivery method of your gift card. Either: traditional mail, email, print it from your computer or the new method of a facebook post!

       

In order to encourage facebookers to adopt it, Amazon is offering $5 gift cards to the first 100 people to send 5 of the MP3 themed gift cards to their facebook friends. It currently offers 11 different gift card designs. This will be a great option for those wanting to avoid the Christmas crowds, and for those last minute shoppers who forgot what month it was.

This is a great example of how companies (even online) are taking full advantage of the social networks and opportunities that lie within them. Overall I think this will be a huge success. I am already trying to decide who I will be sending them to for the Holidays! I mean what can't you buy on Amazon? Even the pickiest of shoppers can find something.

I know one of the reasons my mom doesn't buy online is because she doesn't want to input her credit card information. This is a great way for her to buy what she wants online, and Amazon is able to reach a whole new type of customer it was unable to before. Maybe they will even convince her online shopping is safe and she will be willing to submit her credit card info and make several more purchases on Amazon. I hope so. I'm tired of those itchy Christmas sweaters she gives me every year.