Christmas Sales Strategies

Christmas is a time where "giving" and "spending" are one in the same, and if a present doesn't come with a serial number and price tag attached, it's not worth receiving.

That's why marketers hone in on this blessed holiday season and utilize any and every sales tactic they've got - even if it means stooping a little low!

Internet Marketing

In our technology-based society, it's no wonder marketers are advertising products and sales online, with artful and enticing displays telling shoppers they can save a dime by cutting travel costs and buying NOW on the internet. "All you have to do is type in a few numbers and the product's yours!" Unfortunately, convenience doesn't necessarily mean cost-efficient.

So, before falling for this skillful marketing tactic, check your savings account - and to make sure it's a credible website!

Appealing to the Sensitive Side

As we all know, Christmas is that time when everyone deserves a gift of appreciation and good cheer from you - at the expense of your bank account.

It's important to remember that as great (or not so great) of a person as you are, there are only certain things you can afford, and nobody really needs that new plasma screen T.V. A simple homemade gift can do the trick at 1/10 the cost.

Don't fall for advertiser's sensitive edge to their ads. In our struggling economic society, let us not forget that age-old expression: "It's the thought that counts!"

Recession Means Competition

Since most stores are looking to suffice their yearly budgets with this year's Christmas season profits, each store will likely be competing intensely for a few bucks out of your wallet - this means competitive prices and great deals.

Don't let local store punch lines, such as "Lowest price around" and "Get it while you still can" to entice an impulse buy; there's plenty of items to go around and low prices at almost every store. Do a little backround checking before making your final decision on any product. Every dollar adds up, and with cautionary steps toward each purchase you will have enough money left over by the time you're done to go back for a second round!

Ultimately, Christmas is a time for giving (yes, it's a time for spending too). Let's all be on-the-lookout for those tricky marketing tricks, methodically approach any and every purchase, and guaranteed, YOU will wind up const-efficient and carefree.

It's the Season for Spending

Christmas season is officially here! It's time for the "jingle bell rock" ring loudly in every mall around the United States as shopper hecticly scramble about looking for the perfect gift for their co-workers, friends, and loved ones; sales are up! Yet, the economic recession is looking to have a grave effect on this years merchandise sales and, furthermore, may put a number of stores banking on thier skyrocketing Christmas sales out-of-business. Yikes!

I recently spoke with a sales clerk at Macy's, asking what level of "hustle and bustle" the stores are seeing this year...her response was "minimal." That's why this year it's important to look for the HUGE markdowns that will more than likely take place to amplify sales. Personally, I am not an extremely thrifty shopper, but am looking to improve my tactics for this Christmas season's shopping frenzy. Thrift stores? Yes. Second-hand shops? Definately. That half-price purse rack in the corner of the "women's accessory" section? Count me in!

Shopping can still be exciting, and gifting can still be a favorite pastime with friends and family. It looks like marketers are simply going to have to be on top of their marketing game! Start looking through those magazines and cupon books everyone :)

Black Friday!!!

It's time for one of the most celebrated days of the year for advertisers worldwide...BLACK FRIDAY!!!

That's right, the day after Thanksgiving - that day when moms, dads, and children alike are pulling out their check books and plastic and heading down to the nearest outlet mall for the exclusive sales put on by every store.

For example, Target, a well-known supermarket that provides the average customer everything from electronic picture frames to kitchenware, is gearing up for Black Friday 2009 with a number of ads; according to the Target.com website, these ads aren't yet available, but will soon be released. Furthermore, Target has announced they will open their doors at 5:00 a.m. to allow shoppers an early start. Yet, advertisemets say it may be even more important for people to get glimpses of the sales beforehand to prepare themselves and budget correctly.

Some of the sales that are going to happen at Target on Black Friday include $13.00 copies of the new Pixar movie Up, $88.00 Nikon digital cameras, $97.00 Tom Tom GPS Systems, and $246.00 32 inch Westinghouse HD TV's. That's just the tip of what the Target advertisement is proclaiming! I, myself, have been hooked by the Nikon camera sale - looks like I may have to be participating in the infamous Black Friday this year!

So, for those of you who are avid bargain hunters, Black Friday is a day full of hustle and bustle all around the country - but great deals will be in store! Just make sure you are there for the legitimate deals instead of the enticing new advertisements that will be posted up on every forum and around every corner - strategically placed for YOUR appeal and buying pleasure.

Subaru for sale?

With the sad realization that my beautiful Acura RL is not long for this world, I have decided to embark on a journey to look for a new car. Versatility, comfort, gas mileage, and good looks seems to be the dominating factors in my ultimate decision. Yet, in my automobile search, I have noticed, once again, that most car advertisements seem to be "nature" oriented. Not only are advertisers looking to sell sleek and modern new cars to curious individuals, but they seems to be doing so in a manner that says, "I'm both good looking AND eco-friendly!" It seems in today's world buying a car is about much more than cost and durability.

After mobbing through a number of possibilities, I believe I have settled on the Subaru Forrester (see photo above). Good mileage, "somewhat" affordable (depending on my negotiation skills) and versatility seem to be qualities this car possesses, not to mention it is GREAT looking! Though I know I have taken a thoughtful approach to my decision, all this study on advertising has me wondering...am I being sold based on the factual evidence I have been provided with or, am I being swayed by the picturesque advertisements featuring beautiful outdoor scenery and shiny, gleaming cars?? Protecting the environment is important, yet, I can't help but wonder if the ad's beauty is overpowering my sense of decision-making; I must say, I LOVE the outdoors!

Hmmm...through this search I have concluded that individuals (including myslef) are more subconsciously swayed than we even understand! It seems my heuristics may be altered by these advertiser's sneaky methods - hence, I will continue my search for FACTUAL information to make a well-educated decision, not an emotional gravitation due to a fancy ad.

The "Green" Movement

Lately, I've notice an inordinate number of "green" advertisements. Now, when I say "green," I do not mean the color green in itself (though that is often a component of the ads), but advertisments that are pointed toward earthy conservation efforts. In a world that humanity has learned to use and abuse, it's amazing that it's taken us so long to realize that all of this use and abuse will eventually have its consequences - and maybe devastating.

Fortunately, we have identified the problem. Now advertisers seem to be working toward the same goals conservationists have been heeding for years - creating products that help keep out earth a cleaner and more natural environment.

The above is an example of a simple dishsoap product with a "green" promotional label, built to appeal to the general dishsoap customer as well as the environmentally-friendly shopper. Ultimately, it seems THIS is where our market is headed, and at a very rapid pace.

I believe, in the future, this push for an eco-friendly market will only become more prevalent. Fortunatley, with the technological advances that are taking place at such a rapid pace, the knowledge of our world is expanding drastically. Hopefully this knowledge will allow us the ability to continue this advancement in an eco-friendly way.

With the help of advertisers spurring us on the more earth-friendly habits at every corner, it seems we may be able to reach this new way of healthy living.

Cheers to the advertisers!

The 'Juicy' Details

I recently decided it's time for a change - I've set out to look for a new brand of perfume.

Now, as most 'scent' wearers are aware of, changing your smell is a monumental moment in a person's life (well, some may believe). In many cases, you are remembered by the scent you wear and the smell you carry.

After speaking with a number of my friends about their recommendations, likes and dislikes, I decided to take up the quest on my own. Yesterday while surfing the net, I crossed paths with the Juicy Couture website, and found myself almost instantaneously mezmorized with their advertisements and visual appeal. My conclusion? To explore their perfume options.

The ads were vibrant with a new, almost 'retro' brand theme, with sayings such as "make a mess," "talk to strangers," and "be loud" written across the webpage. All the individuals in the ads were dressed in a riscay, mismatched, loud and chaotic manner, suggesting to the viewer that 'to be yourself is to wear Juicy perfume and clothing.' It seems Juicy is targeting a young, hip, rebellious group of individuals - which appeals to the general trend of young adults today.

These advertisements were very appealing in therms of ethos, pathos, and logos as well. Juicy, a brand which had already established credibility, is not only looking to appeal to the rebellious and hip emotional state of young individuals today, but is also targeting their ethical standpoint by portraying a group of rebellious, free looking individuals. In today's society, most young adults put high value in individual freedom (even to the point of rebellion). By standing on their credibility and appealing to their target audiences ethics and emotions, they have created a campaign that just might work. It seems their market research team has done their research!

According to these advertisements, Juicy Couture is looking to be the brand teens are 'rebelling' for. Fortunatley for them, the strategy just might work!

Abercrombie Hits the Bulls Eye

During my glorious teenage stages (that we all know everyone adores), I was a fan of Abercrombie and Fitch, a retail store that appeals to the young adults. Yet, there has been a great deal of controversy over their magazines, which advertise young males and females in basically "nude" form - a situation which I would like to analyze and interpret.

It seems to me that, while there may be a number of moral issues embedded in this problem, especially for parents who are trying employ morals in thieir child, the company is simply targeting their market segmentation in a way that they think is appealing. A company like Abercrombie is looking to appeal to girls and boys (probably ages 12 to 21). With a market segmentation such as this, young and interested in sexually stimulating material (well, some anyways), it is no wonder Abercrombie decided to display models with little to (almost) no clothing on.

Unfortunately, this is an example of great marketing tactics. Abercrombie pinpointed their target market and developed a strategy to appease and entice them to buy their products. They've learned that in this society, sex sells.

The "UGGly" Truth

For those of you who don't know, UGG boots are an extremely popular (mostly) women's brand of shoes. For many years now, they are the choice brand boots for now, sleet, or even just a cooler autumn day. Yet, in my yearly search to find my new pair of boots for the chilly season, I ran across an article titled, "The Good, the Bad, and the Uggly," explaining how UGG boots have been controversially sold over the years.
(Click http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=365 to access the article)
As I read this article, the negative aspects of the article helped me to realize how many times I buy and item, while viewing it in such a positive light, not realizing that there are two sides to every story. Advertisers are constantly looking to sell an item, and are therefore not going to portray the negative aspects of the article.
Ultimately, this article showed me that whether it's my favorite brand, or a new product I am interested in, I need to take the time to research and understand the article - and make an informed and knowledgable decision about the product I am interested in supporting!

Welcome to Marketing

Hi, my name is Chelsea and I am a marketing student at Washington State University. While I have not previously been interested in the marketing aspects of society, this class has sparked my interest and opened my eyes to the subconscious decision-making process a consumer goes through as they differenciate the product they will buy in a world full of materialistic options. Brands and products are constantly being reinvented to appease the needs and wants of the everyday individual.
Ultimately, this blog will analyze a variety of products, brands, and consumer needs - from the eyes of a consuming individual being bombarded by these items.
Thanks for reading!!!