Meijer takes original approach to Black Friday

Meijer is taking an original approach to Black Friday and generating return visits. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer will offer deals on three different days — Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and Saturday — along with coupons for additional deals that consumers can use on their next shopping trip.



"Meijer means a lot of things to a lot of people, but around the holidays we're especially focused on making the experience easier for our customers," said Peter Whitsett, EVP of merchandising and marketing. "By offering our special deals beginning at 6 a.m. on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday, our customers won't have to worry about setting that alarm for the early hours of the morning and can choose how early or late they want to shop for the hottest holiday gifts."



Deals on electronics, apparel and toys begin at 6 a.m. and continue throughout the day, while supplies last. For example, shoppers who venture out Thanksgiving Day can purchase one iPad Air with retina display or iPad 2 and receive a coupon for $100 off their next Meijer shopping trip.



Customers who have signed up to receive email alerts from the retailer already have links to the Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day ad previews, as did the more than 1.1 million Meijer Facebook fans and Twitter followers.



Meijer will also be bringing back digital Santa Bucks beginning Saturday after Thanksgiving for customers who have signed up for the mPerks digital coupon program. Customers can digitally clip coupons using their text-enabled cell phones.



"Customers continue to be very strategic, focusing on special sales and promotions," Whitsett said. "We hope that providing the opportunity to create their own deals with custom coupons and shopping without the need for an alarm clock will prove once again that Meijer is the destination for all our customers' holiday shopping needs."