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How business can prepare for Black Friday

Industry News 5 November 2020

The year 2020 has been unpredictable from a business and social point of view. The retail sector, in particular, is still trying to navigate through the challenges of adhering to various regulations and meeting shifting customer service dynamics.

From providing a safe in-store environment for shoppers and workers alike to adjusting to increasing demand for online purchases, as well as escalating demand for products which a while ago were not a priority for many, it’s a completely new normal.

This has presented a challenge and opportunity for retailers to respond with new products and services, new ways of working and embrace impressive displays of innovation and advertising.

Guzzle has allowed retailers to reach a broad clientele and cater to diverse demographics through access to a variety of catalogues where consumers can search for products, compare prices and make a purchasing decision.

With Black Friday on the horizon, it’s time to prepare for the different stages of Black Friday and key considerations consumers may have through the cycle.

Black Friday Stages

1. The Build-Up
Black Friday research starts weeks before the actual day, mostly in early October. Shoppers around October are already looking for potential deals and are open and flexible to consider suggestions.

2. The Craze
In the two weeks leading up to Black Friday – and the week of Black Friday – people look for specific products, brands, and deals. This phase includes robust research and reading reviews and features on the products or services they want to buy.

3. The Last Call
Shoppers continue to look for deals two weeks after Black Friday and this includes Cyber Monday.

What are the possible key considerations for consumers which retailers should prepare for?

Affordability

The bottom line is money and affordability. Consumers are looking for the cheapest deal around and the cheapest deal beats them all.

Safety

With Covid-19 and crime fears still lingering on people’s minds, consumers will carefully consider where they can be safe while doing in-store shopping. This will come down to hygiene and security measures that retailers put in place.

Convenience

Convenience is about the nearest shop offering great deals. Convenience also means which store offers user-friendly online shopping options and delivery services.

Products

Consumer products are categorised into in season and offseason. Consumers will more than likely focus on daily groceries but also cast their eyes further and consider finding a great deal for in-season products which are normally expensive.

How can retailers use this opportunity?

Considering the above, it’s safe to stay Black Friday season is already here. Retailers can maximise their profits during this window of opportunity by increasing awareness of their retail offering for Black Friday as well as increasing their audience reach.

Retailers can rely on a reputable internet shopping site like Guzzle to reach a broader market across the country. Guzzle is an aggregation portal with paper and digital catalogues from a myriad of major retailers in South Africa, displaying catalogue promotions as well as providing update retail-focussed news and industry updates.

Guzzle captures up to 20 000 product specials that expire each week and attracts thousands of prospective buyers. Retailers can also seize the added advantage of using the Guzzle retail catalogue creation app.

The Guzzle app is an innovative and user-friendly tech development which helps small business owners to easily create product catalogues, right on their smartphones and publish them on the Guzzle website which has over 700 000 monthly users totalling more than 10 million page views.

With the Guzzle app, you are guaranteed of convenience and an effective reach of a broad spectrum of potential buyers on the verge of making a purchasing decision.

Guzzle provides retailers with an easier way of advertising products and promotions while allowing consumers to browse all catalogue promotions in one place.

Guzzle Media