The Barossa has embraced the chance to make the most of Black Friday sales with retailers reporting significant achievements for the day.
Tanunda based retailer, Wohlers offered a three day sale for the Black Friday event with Mr Mark Battersby, business development manager, saying it was a fantastic three days of retailing.
With strong sales across the homewares and furniture range, Mark said people were also looking to buy gifts for others too.
“It gave shoppers the opportunity to buy up well and take up some pre Christmas sales,” said Mark.
“It is shaping up to be the single biggest retail day of the year.”
Mark, who previously spent time living in the US, is aware of the phenomenon and the history behind it.
“It occurs the day after Thanksgiving, similar to our Boxing Day sales after Christmas Day. It’s a chance for retailers to get back in the black and buy stock for Christmas,” said Mark.
Mark said Wohlers experienced the biggest uptake in the country stores and identified it gave the opportunity for people to take advantage of Black Friday locally.
“People were able to access Black Friday specials locally with easy parking and without the hassle of the commute,” said Mark.
“It’s great for retailers and the local economy. Everyone loves a bargain and it’s great to offer this to our customers prior to Christmas.”
TerryWhite Chemmart Barossa and Nuriootpa stores reported a strong three day sales with properietor, Travis Schiller saying the Black Friday event has taken Australia by storm.
With at least a 20 per cent increase in customer and product sold, Travis said, “It was an excellent finish to November and a great start to the Christmas retail season.
“It created an atmosphere in the mall too and people were happy to be out and about.”
Travis said giftware and fragrances were among the popular items.
All outlets across The Barossa Co-op did well, according to managing director, Mr Neil Retallick but it was Betta Home Living that reported a 200 per cent increase in sales for the day.
Televisions were the biggest sale item, followed by floor cleaning items. However, the stores from apparel to hardware also reported a strong day.
“It is the first time we have run a Black Friday sale and we were very pleased,” said Neil.
“There was a solid increase and also important the sales figures were much better than we had budgeted. Across the Co-op there was growth and the only disappointment for us we had an enormous deal on seedless watermelon and it was so cold and I don’t think people would think to buy watermelon.”
The Barossa Co-op also achieved their goal to increase their membership online details which will help with next year’s event.
“We anticipated there would be significant demand and we had more staff on and the executive team were out and about in the stores helping out too,” said Neil.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to get in early for Christmas… it was a very strong day, our strongest day this year.”
Cosmetics, beauty lines and fragrances were among the popular items at Priceline Pharmacy, Tanunda with director of Valley Pharmacies, Wayne Goodwin saying it was a very successful event.
“Black Friday does very well and it was the first time we did it last year,” said Wayne.
“Last year it turned out a great success and this year it was better.”
He’s yet to crunch all the numbers from the event, but acknowledged at least a 25 per cent increase in sales, adding in dollar terms it would be a lot bigger than that.
“It was a Priceline initiative who did it nationally last year and it appears it will be something that will continue on,” said Wayne.
“It is an event that everyone is starting to realise what it is.”
While an American initiated event, Wayne said people in Australia are expecting it too.
