Winter Holidays

Chicago -- The marketing chiefs of U.S. retailers are optimistic about the upcoming holiday season, forecasting a solid 4.1% increase in overall holiday store sales, according to a recent BDO USA survey. The projection is in line with the National Retail Federation’s 4.1% expected holiday sales increase, and is a full percentage point higher than actual retail sales gains in the 2013 season.

San Jose, Calif. -– Online prices are expected to hit rock bottom on Thanksgiving Day, lower than on any other day during the holiday season. According to the Adobe Online Shopping Report, record sales are expected for Thanksgiving with $1.35 billion and Cyber Monday with $2.6 billion, increases of 27 and 15%, respectively.   

Sam’s Club has joined the ranks of other retailers this holiday season with a pre-Black Friday-themed promotion occurring mid-month.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, Sam’s Club will host a one-day-only Holiday Savings Celebration featuring Black Friday pricing on featured technology, toys, apparel, jewelry and home goods items. Starting at 7 a.m. and exclusive to Sam’s Club members, families can fill their baskets in-club or online with top holiday picks while getting ahead of the typical Black Friday frenzy, according to Sam’s Club.

Chicago -- A majority (54%) of shoppers said they would shop both online and in-store this holiday season, according to a survey by Retale, a location-based mobile platform. Twenty-four percent said they planned to shop in brick-and-mortar stores only, and  22% said online only.   The survey uncovered a number of differences among Android and Apple users, which accounted for 89% of those surveyed:   

New York & Company has devised an interesting sweepstakes-based approach to ensure customers are lined up when its stores open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

The operator of more than 500 stores said the first 200 shoppers to enter its stores beginning at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving will be entered to win $100,000 in the company’s first ever Win Big in New York sweepstakes. In addition to the $100,000 grand prize winner, each store will also have one $500 prize winner.

Wayne, N.J. –- Babies ‘R Us is offering a "Baby's First Christmas" Twitter Party as part of a broader omnichannel holiday promotional program. Those who follow @BabiesRUs on Twitter can join on Tuesday, Nov. 11, during a chat led by @CoolMomPicks, using the hashtag #FirstHoliday.   

American Eagle Oufitters has turned an April Fool’s joke into a business opportunity by launching its first-ever clothing line for “dogs and their owners,” American Beagle Outfitters, for a limited-edition Holiday 2014 release.

Armonk, N.Y. –- IBM projects a strong holiday shopping season with online sales projected to increase 15% during the five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. The biggest increase in online sales is expected on Cyber Monday, predicted to grow 15.8%, followed closely by Thanksgiving with a projected increase of 15.6%.