Retail Trends for 2011 Holiday Shopping
September 14, 2011 by easternshoremom
Filed under Holidays
Forget the credit cards! Layaway plans are the hot trend for Christmas shopping this year.
These perky payment plans began to re-appear several years ago, but Wal-Mart is giving it a big kick in the pants this year. After a five-year layoff, Wal-Mart announced Thursday it was bringing back the payment method that gained initial traction in the Great Depression.
Speaking of trends, merchants plan on using a variety of methods this holiday season to part consumers and their cash. Here are seven retail trends you’ll see unveiled in October…or earlier.
1. Allow me to recommend…
Personalized product recommendations are everywhere this year, as improved technology allows merchants to base purchase suggestions on a shopper’s previous search behavior. It’s a proven system for presenting consumers with products they might otherwise miss, while promoting a one-to-one experience that personalizes an e-retailers website.
2. Look at your marketing campaign, then look at me.
Old Spice got it right in 2010 when they expanded their marketing campaign across all platforms. Starting with the phenomenally popular commercial featuring a handsome man on a horse, the scent manufacturer upped the ante by turning the towel-clad stud into an Internet meme.
Pepsi Refresh soon followed suit with an integrated marketing campaign that hit social media, mobile devices, e-readers and offline marketing. Other manufacturers and merchants are already ramping up their integrated attacks. L’Occitane en Provence, for example, recently calculated its revenue from an email registration campaign as increasing sales from .11 cents for random emails to $2.84 per targeted email.
3. Have yourself a very mobile Christmas.
Mobile marketing will really hit its stride, starting as early as October. Fueled by increased smartphone use and mobile-only households, Forrester predicts over 75 percent of marketers will include mobile in their marketing mix, using a variety of techniques that blend in-store and online experiences. Shoppers can readily compare prices, scan for coupons, and even order a product, if a brick-and-mortar store doesn’t meet their preferred price.
The trend represents a rapid response to statistics from IBM Coremetrics, revealing sales via mobile devices made up 6.5 percent of all site purchases, as of April 2011.
4. Pay for shipping? No way!
Amazon.com started a mass movement towards free shipping in 2005 that consumers rapidly took to heart. As more merchants jumped on the bandwagon, shoppers began expecting free shipping and even refused to buy when no such deals were offered.
The mobile and free delivery trends dovetail nicely this year, with such sites as FreeShipping.org providing readily accessible codes.
5. Procrastinators have a reason to rejoice.
This is the year Free Shipping Day is expected to overwhelm Cyber Monday. The one-day shopping holiday, scheduled this year for Friday, Dec. 16, will allow consumers to shop more than 2,000 online merchants with free shipping and delivery by Christmas Eve.
In 2010, Free Shipping Day blew past its 35-year-old sibling Black Friday by nearly $300 million in online sales and proved the third-heaviest day of online shopping in history. The event is further fueled by statistics from IBM Coremetrics indicating 83 percent of consumers prefer to shop online than in crowded stores, and 21 percent expect to spend more online in 2011 than 2010.
6. Expect color coordination across the board.
We’re going to be sick of silver and green by New Years, as merchants push the official 2011 color pallet for Christmas decorations. According to The Trend Curve, an international authority on designs and color trends for the home, silver and a soft green are the pair to beat this year.
7. Please hold.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, layaway plans are making a rapid comeback, as consumers increasingly refuse to pile on more credit card debt.
Sears and Kmart led the charge for Christmas 2010, introducing reasonable layaway programs. This year, the Sears program allows customers to pay as little as $20 or 20 percent down (whichever is greater) and make online or in-store payments every two weeks before claiming their purchases. Sears charges $5 to initiate a layaway contract and $15 for cancellation.
The Kmart layaway program is identical, except shoppers make a down payment of $20 or 10 percent.
Wal-Mart’s campaign begins this year on Oct. 17 and is available only for purchases of $50 or more on electronics and toys. Each item must be worth at least $15 and shoppers will pay a $5 initiation fee, place 10 percent down, and pay off the debt by Dec. 16 or face a $10 cancellation fee.
A few other stores with similar programs include Toys R Us and Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Big Lots offers a “Price Hold” program on select furniture.
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HAPPY 4th Of July!!!!
July 4, 2011 by montgomerymom
Filed under Holidays
Happy 4th of July Everyone!! Please remember today and always that freedom isn’t really free and we should thank those who fought/are fighting/will continue to fight for our freedoms! Have a fun and SAFE 4th!
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CiCis Pizza: Dad’s Eat Free on Father’s Day!
June 15, 2011 by montgomerymom
Filed under Dining, freebie, Holidays
I am loving all of these Restaurants giving Dads a FREE meal for Father’s Day! However will we decide where to go? Cici’s is no exception, they are offering Dad a FREE buffet with the purchase of a buffet! Go HERE to print the coupon! I will admit I am a Cicis buffet lover, I really enjoy their exceptional dessert salad buffet!
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Happy Flag Day!
June 14, 2011 by montgomerymom
Filed under crafts, Holidays
Happy Flag Day Everyone! I sure am proud to be an American and love to see our beautiful flag flying in the wind! God Bless the USA! If you are looking for some fun crafts to do with the kiddos today see our previous post for some fun, inexpensive ideas!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site. Thanks so much!
Crafty Mom Monday: Memorial Day Craft Ideas (for July 4th too)
May 30, 2011 by montgomerymom
Filed under Crafty Mom Mondays, Holidays
Looking for something to do on this beautiful Memorial Day? Well, look no further because our favorite Tip Junkie has some fun and frugal crafts to keep you (and the kids!) busy. My favorite is the flag made out of those tiny hands and feet. Adorable! (Note: these can also be used for 4th of July! So, if you see a several that you like, you can save some of them for later!)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site. Thanks so much!
$25 Spa Package from Blue Cliff!
December 22, 2009 by easternshoremom
Filed under Holidays
Yesterday, Kyla reported on the Bargain Buggy Facebook page about a deal on a spa package offered by Blue Cliff. Blue Cliff is a career college of massage and cosmetology in Mobile, AL. They have students that perform these services but it is set up just like a spa- only less expensive! I spoke with Blue Cliff today and purchased myself a certificate (from Santa of course) for their spa package. Here is what it includes:
30 Minuite Massage
Manicure/Pedicure
Eye Brow Wax
ALL FOR JUST $25!
For $5 more ($30 total) you get an hour massage!
I don’t know about you but I am in the need of a massage after this year ends! WHEW it has been a whirlwind of a year! You can call Blue Cliff at and buy your gift certificate over the phone or you can drop in. If you order it over the phone they mail you the certificate.
Still looking for a Christmas gift? This would be a GREAT one!
Blue Cliff Career College | 2970 Cottage Hill Rd, Suite 175 | Mobile, AL 36606 – (251) 473-2220
CLICK HERE FOR THEIR WEBSITE
I’ll give y’all a review after I have my spa day!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site. Thanks so much!
Tinkerbell DVD Coupon
December 20, 2009 by easternshoremom
Filed under coupons, Holidays
PRINT $10 OFF TINKERBELL AND THE LOST TREASURE
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site. Thanks so much!
FREE Events This Weekend
December 18, 2009 by easternshoremom
Filed under freebie, Holidays, Local, Mommy Deals
Need some creative ideas for activities with the kids or relative’s kids that are in town for the holidays this weekend? STL Mommy put together a wonderful list of freebie events going on that you can join in on:
Ongoing, Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland begins, click here the daily schedule, free photo with Santa!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site. Thanks so much!
Frugal Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas
December 18, 2009 by easternshoremom
Filed under Holidays
My good friend Shannon from The Bargain Buggy has compiled a great list of things to buy for stocking stuffers while keeping it frugal! I have added in a few of my own and you can add in some too- this helps everyone with suggestions on things you might not have thought of but make great gifts!
Socks
Magazines
Sunglasses Clip
“Coupons” for misc. items you will do on demand (Get out of the dishes free card, etc.)
Hair accessories (bobby pins, hair ties, etc)
Coupon Accordian File! :)
A Pair of Scissors (for her couponing- find at Dollar Tree)
“Coupons” for misc. items you will do on demand (FREE car wash, FREE night of watching the kids, etc.)
Hot CoaCoa Mix
Hair accessories
WALGREENS:
Shop drugstore sales for stocking stuffers! Here’s a peek at some of the best stocking stuffers on sale now at Walgreens. Just grab an ad at the door and make sure that the cashier scans the in ad coupons!
Mars Candy, $0.39 after in ad coupon pg 3
Russell Stover Christmas Candy, $0.39 after in ad coupon pg 5
Christmas pencils, 5/$1 after in ad coupon pg 13
Storybooks like Lion King & 101 Dalmations, 3/$2 after in ad coupon, .67 each WYB 3! pg 15
Sticker books or Disney puzzles, $0.39 after in ad coupon pg 17
Christmas Candy Hershey’s and Peeps, 2/$1 after in ad coupon pg 32
Complete MultiPurpose Contact Solution, $7.99 Get $7.99 back as Register Rewards=FREE! Readers have reported finding bonus packs–So be sure to look!
Gillette Fusion Razor, $8.99, Use $4 coupon from 11/29 PG, Get $4 Register Rewards back. Final price is $0.99!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site. Thanks so much!
$5 Or Less Toys
December 16, 2009 by easternshoremom
Filed under Holidays
Looking for discounted Christmas gifts? Running out of time to shop? Tomorrow is the last day on Amazon.com to get your items via Super Saver Shipping in time for Christmas. Here is a WHOLE section full of hot toys for just $5 or less.
$5 OR LESS AMAZON TOYS
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site. Thanks so much!
Welcome Deal Seekers! I am Aubrey Nix, owner/author of ESM.This site was created and is written just for YOU! From the deals I post, freebies I find, and giveaways here on the site, I focus what YOU want to see. You all are who keep the site alive and make it worth my time publishing ways to save money as a consumer. 
