Seek the Sales: Black Friday 2012

Ever wonder when the best days to go holiday shopping are? What about which retail categories are going to do well this year? All this and more in our conversations with SBC's retail experts. Check back often for more.

Matt Wilson, General Manager and Partner

How do you think the longer gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas will affect holiday shopping?
December will deliver one of the big pushes for major brick and mortar sales, as two December shopping weekends will be fed by pay periods (the 1st and 15th are Saturdays and consumers will be paid on the Friday prior), one additional weekend and a Monday prior to Christmas day (Tuesday, 12/25). We will also see an increase in in-store fundraising for the Red Cross and a push from the Salvation Army to support recovery and response efforts in the Northeast.

Becky Zeigler, VP/Account Director

How will Mobile devices effect holiday shopping this year
Mobile will be more important than ever as on-the-go shoppers check emails and websites on tablets and smart phones. Retailers must be prepared for this with mobile-friendly websites that make it easy for consumers to buy or research products.

Allison Trickett, Associate Interactive Account Services Director

What is your favorite commercial of all time advertising the holidays? Why?
I love Target's “Holiday Spirit” ads (watch on YouTube). This lady is totally quirky and I love it … she evokes that little-bit-of-crazy Black Friday shopping feeling.