Black Friday Roundup

Black Friday drew out both crowds and wallets this year, according to the Huffington Post. The National Retail Federation reported that 212 million people came out for the deals (up from 195 million in 2009) over the course of the 4-day weekend and spent an average of $365.34, up from $343.31 last year.

Total spending on Black Friday marginally increased 0.3% to $10.7 billion this year according to another study by ShopperTrak. Over the course of the weekend, total spending came to $45 billion compared $41.2 billion last year.

Shop-Eat-Surf did a round up of some of the deals retailers were offering. As Kelly pointed out, the stores that seemed to have the most traffic had a massive, store-wide deal (40% off everything; 50% off all sale items) or a time-sensitive deal that rewarded customer’s business early in the day (Gap – 50% off everything until 10am; A&F - $50 gift card for use that day for every $100 spent).

Below are some details around PacSun's offerings and some key competitors - hit the link above to see a slide show of all the store windows and deals.

PacSun

Offered fleece, sweaters and denim, buy one, get one 50% off, all brands.

It also offered guys flannels for $15 until 1 p.m. on Friday. While the store at the Irvine Spectrum wasn’t mobbed, it was the busiest I’ve ever seen it.

And, I had the best service ever. A salesgirl actually introduced herself to me and told me all about the deals.

Macy’s

25% off jackets and some sweaters from action sports brands. Also offered branded Ts two for $34. The section was very busy.

Also had 50% off summer Ts and boardshorts in the back.

Urban Outfitters

By the time I got to Urban Outfitters at the Irvine Spectrum, the salesgirl told me the promotion was over. From 4 a.m. to 10 a.m., Urban had offered 50% off sale goods, she said. She said the line snaked around the whole store.

What amazed me was how busy the store was at 1 p.m. – packed, and it looked like a bomb had gone off. And it was that busy with no big discounting going on.

Tilly’s

Before noon on Friday, all brand screen Ts and hoodies were buy one, get one 50% off.

The rest of the weekend, there were deals on RSQ jeans, junior’s thermals and more, including 25% off boots, excluding Uggs.

GAP

50% off of everything before 10 a.m. The store at Fashion Valley was mobbed, with a line at least twenty deep at all times and clothes thrown everywhere.

At South Coast Plaza, they actually had to rope off lines in front of Baby Gap, with about 100 people waiting to get into the store to shop.

Abercrombie and Fitch

Abercrombie and Fitch was packed at Fashion Valley. Upon entering, the music was extremely loud and there was an overwhelming scent of men’s cologne that I picked up about five feet before going inside. Customers who purchased $100 received a $50 gift card they could use right then before noon.

Hollister

There was a guy handing out cards that smelled of men’s fragrance upon entering. The music, like Abercrombie and Fitch, was incredibly loud. The store offered a 30% off storewide discount before noon and was packed, making it very difficult to navigate the narrow passageways. About fifteen people waited in line to pay.