Black Friday approaches, but unlike the many die hard Canadians who will track south in search of bargains I can’t be bothered ( although I really did want that Miele vacumm cleaner at half price…. am I sad or what, yes, but I’m lazy and really are not that keen on cleaning)!
But for many hard-core, Black Friday bargain shoppers, it’s not enough to clip coupons and scan papers for deals. It’s about the thrill of the hunt, and the stories that can be shared from the experience ( Imagine)!
“You might think it’s for the great sale prices that people stand in line waiting for their store of choice to open, but that isn’t always the case. Consumers can find sales at just about any time of the year nowadays,” says Sheri Bridges a marketing professor at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.
“For many people it’s the retail adventure that they don’t want to miss — the novel experiences that make for stories to share with family and friends.”
Bridges offers the following suggestions for how to make Black Friday shopping day share-worthy:
Build memories. Shoppers can use their smart phone and a Facebook app not only to scan QR codes and share shopping finds but also to record their adventures to show to family and friends after the day is over. Do this each year and begin building a scrapbook or photo album of Christmas shopping adventures.
Schedule fun experiences. If sampling your way through Costco, taking a shopping break by getting a pedicure with a friend, or meeting a group for coffee or a drink puts a smile on your face, then do it. Building in enjoyable activities helps create positive expectations, which can reduce stress and keep us in the holiday spirit.
Wear something special. Signal the start of your adventure by wearing clothing that puts you in a festive mood and is reserved specifically for holiday shopping. You’ll soon come to associate the sweater, shirt or jacket with positive feelings and memories, which will be evoked each time you don the item.
Virtual holiday shopping is popular and growing, but Black Friday is about more than gift-buying. It’s also about the fun of being a part of the rush and finding those one or two hard-to-find special items. “The more you build on the Black Friday adventure phenomenon, the more fun you’re likely to add to this holiday ritual,” adds Bridges.
Source:Wake Forest University
