Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Retailers Ready Black Friday 'Dogfight' on TV Prices

Get ready for 40% price cuts across the board amid weak demand

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2011 9:55 AM CST

(Newser) – Planning to score a new TV on Black Friday? Apparently this is the year to do so, as deals are exploding in what one analyst calls a “dogfight” between top US retailers. Last year, some retailers only slashed prices on high-end TVs. This year, expect to see discounts across the board—including cuts of up to 40% from one year ago on big-screens—plus other incentives, like free shipping, as companies do whatever they can to lure customers. The TV market is not doing well as recession shoppers avoid purchasing nonessential items, Reuters notes.

“As we look at the holiday season, we are going to play offense,” says the CEO of Hhgregg Inc. “We are going to be aggressive.” An analyst adds that the promotions are “starting even earlier than usual,” which is “upping the overall intensity. … It is going to be a dogfight. Everyone's going to be fighting because demand is not great.” In further Black Friday news, it’s not just Macy’s and Target opening at midnight. The Detroit Free Press reports that Black Friday sales are starting earlier than ever—some as early as 9pm on Thursday, for those gluttons who want to go straight from turkey to shopping.

Customers shop for plasma and flat screen televisions at Best Buy electronics store on November 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

100%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Yep, 'Black Midnight' Worked

Analysts say earlier hours could become the norm

(NEWSER) - Despite outcry and even protests beforehand, it appears the strategy of opening as early as 10pm Thursday night worked for Black Friday retailers, meaning “ Black Midnight ” or even “ Black Thursday ” will likely become the norm. The Los Angeles Times reports that Toys R Us, Sears, and Target all reported longer lines than usual, and at least one mall also experienced significantly better traffic. Early estimates show sales increased 10% to 14%, the AP reports, and retail analysts agree sales are likely up from last year. “After seeing what I saw last night I can't imagine that this is going to be a one year only shot,” says one. More»

Target Worker Fights 'Black Midnight' Hours

Shifts start at 11pm on Thanksgiving, to employees' dismay

(NEWSER) - If you rolled your eyes at the news that some stores are opening at midnight on Black Friday, imagine how the employees of those stores feel. Target parking attendant Anthony Hardwick says that for his Black Friday shift—which starts at 11pm on Thursday—he’ll “have to go to bed in the early afternoon on Thanksgiving to go in and work 10 hours." So he started a Change.org petition asking Target to “save Thanksgiving” by opening at 5am instead. More»

Welcome to Cyber Sunday

Deals are getting earlier, going later

(NEWSER) - If Black Friday wasn't enough for you, and Cyber Monday seems just too far away, say hello to Cyber Sunday, reports MSNBC. While one Best Buy marketing honcho thinks Cyber Monday remains a "really viable marketing concept," chains including his are getting an early start today, seeking to spike online sales before people go back to work. "The big treat is what happens on Cyber Sunday for those retailers who give those deals." More»

Sales Rise Even Though Shoppers Spend Less

$41.2B weekend total beats 2008 haul by $1.2B

(NEWSER) - Thanksgiving weekend retail sales totaled $41.2 billion, a .5% jump over last year's $41 billion, but the average shopper spent 8% less than in 2008, $343.31 against $372.57. Discounts, especially on electronics and toys, were the overwhelming attraction as cautious consumers pried open their wallets, Bloomberg reports. Retailers "know they have their work cut out for them to keep people coming back through Christmas," said the head of the National Retail Federation. More»

Holiday E-Commerce Still Suffers Growing Pains

Net surfing window shoppers blamed for crashes, meltdowns

(NEWSER) - As online retailers post record sales this year, holiday e-commerce meltdowns show that stores still don't have the kinks ironed out of their sites. Despite increased capacity on retail sites, crashes such as Sears.com's eight-hour Black Friday crash and Yahoo Shopping's 10-hour Cyber Monday outage continue to plague holiday online shopping, Wired reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Retailers Ready Black Friday 'Dogfight' on TV Prices

Get ready for 40% price cuts across the board amid weak demand

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

online retailers • retail sales • holiday shopping • Black Friday • holiday sales • retailers

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Yep, 'Black Midnight' Worked

Analysts say earlier hours could become the norm

Target Worker Fights 'Black Midnight' Hours

Shifts start at 11pm on Thanksgiving, to employees' dismay

Welcome to Cyber Sunday

Deals are getting earlier, going later

Sales Rise Even Though Shoppers Spend Less

$41.2B weekend total beats 2008 haul by $1.2B

Holiday E-Commerce Still Suffers Growing Pains

Net surfing window shoppers blamed for crashes, meltdowns

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?