Strong ‘Turnout’ Expected For Cyber Monday

As interest in Black Friday shopping wanes among consumers, Cyber Monday is still expected to attract holiday deal hunters.

If Black Friday was too busy or too cold, shopping from home is a option being embraced by more people every year.

Anthony Liuzzo, Ph.D., professor of business and economics at Wilkes University, said even while holiday shopping tends to be blending together and retailers and e-tailers try to capture shoppers earlier, Cyber Monday will continue as a event – albeit a virtual one.

“Cyber Monday will hold up,” he said. “When people get back the office on Monday and get to their computers, they will be shopping.”

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/strong-turnout-expected-for-cyber-monday-1.1593893

Many Shoppers Say No To Buying On Thanksgiving Day

You have to wonder what Norman Rockwell’s interpretation of Thanksgiving would be today. His classic 1943 Thanksgiving painting,“Freedom from Want,” which shows Ma placing a beautifully browned turkey down for Pa to carve, family members eagerly leaning in over the dinner table and grinning at one another, doesn’t seem complete anymore.

There are no digital devices to be seen, the family roles might be a little outdated and, of course, there isn’t an inset panel showing a son or a daughter stocking shelves or working the checkout line at Best Buy or The Gap, both of which are open on Thanksgiving Day this year.

In competition for your holiday spending dollars, retailers have pushed what has been known as Black Friday well into the day before — that is, Thanksgiving Day. Some find it an affront to Thanksgiving traditions. For others, it threatens what have become Black Friday family traditions, too.

Becka Pankowski, 42, of Fountain, Colo., is quitting her long-held Black Friday tradition altogether, saying she’s opposed to the Thanksgiving openings.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/lifestyle/20131125/many-shoppers-say-no-to-buying-on-thanksgiving-day

Reading/Berks Businesses Participate In Small Business Saturday

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Right on the tail of Black Friday, as consumers shake off their turkey slumber to start their Christmas shopping, is Small Business Saturday.

American Express began the effort in 2010 and its website boasts that more than 100 million people came out to support independently owned businesses last year.

Today’s event has several area retailers celebrating by bringing consumers extended hours, discounts, special events and the like, to encourage holiday shopping at small businesses.

Brad Eastman, owner of home specialty shop E.I. Home, 4453 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, said he was overwhelmed by the amount of people who came out for the event last year.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=430955

Vignettes Of Black Friday

With promotions, discounts and doorbusters already well under way on Thanksgiving Day itself, many big-box retailers are making Black Friday stretch longer than ever.  The Lede is checking out the mood of American consumers in occasional vignettes Thursday and Friday as the economically critical holiday shopping season kicks off.

Shoppers waiting outside Sam’s Club in Eagan, Minn., for Friday’s 7 a.m. opening clung to free Starbuck’s Holiday Blend coffee as they endured freezing temperatures and biting winds and collected brightly colored vouchers for laptops and big-screen TVs.

The biggest draw: a 96-cent Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone.  Once inside, they also beelined for tickets for the 63 Samsungs in stock, which sold out shortly after the store opened.  Customers could make an appointment for later in the day or another day to purchase the phone, choosing from three carriers, Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint.

“O.K., this is my last blue for Sprint,” an employee called out at 7:08 a.m.

Read more:  http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/coverage-of-black-friday/?hp

First Annual Open House At Hodge Podge Unique Boutique In Boyertown

Friday, November 23rd at 11:00 am until Saturday, November 24th at 4:00 pm

The fun begins on Black Friday with Door Prizes and Specials all day.  Then, come wind down with us and share your Shopping Stories in a relaxing, no pressure atmosphere at our monthly Fourth Friday Event.  You’ll enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or iced tea along with a selection of fine cheeses – just what you’ll need to melt away the stress of the Big Box stores.

The festivities continue on Small Business Saturday! From 10:00 am until noon, meet Nadia Beck, designer and owner of the Grey Button clothing line.  Enjoy free coffee, tea and sweets as you get to know Nadia and the ins & outs of the fashion biz!  The new look of Avon arrives at noon until 3:00 pm.  If you haven’t seen what Avon’s been up to lately, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  Avon offers so many gifts – truly something for everyone – that you can sit and shop while you snack on lite refreshments.  Door Prizes and Deals throughout the day!

Three door prizes will be awarded per day.  Need not be present to win.As Always, No Purchase Necessary.

Hodge Podge is located at 12 N. Reading Avenue, in downtown Boyertown, PA.