Though it’s a bit early in the month the holidays are drawing closer. Less than a month til Hanukkah for instance! A few of you have started asking about Anthropologie’s Black Friday plans. Do they have any? (Probably not.) If not, what can I expect in the way of incentives? So I thought I’d recap what happened last year and then leave the comments open for suggestions. While I can’t promise we’ll have any sway with their plans at least they will get to hear from customers.
Last year was interesting since the economy took a huge dump in October. A few days before Thanksgiving last year Anthropologie began aggressively adding items to their sale section. This continued with a huge amount added to sale the week after Thanksgiving. The week of Thanksgiving Anthro kicked off an awesome boot sale that they should totally do again this year HINT HINT ANTHROPOLOGIE. The day BEFORE Thanksgiving last year is when the Free Shipping promo started (so we’re already doing better on that front this year). There was a big fat nothing on Black Friday — no early opening, no late store closing, notta. Last year Anthropologie also ran a charity event where you could buy a stuffed animal that was then donated to a local charity. I hope they do this again this year. Last year I bought a few super cute plushies for kids in need.
What do I think will happen this year? Well Anthropologie has been trying to be conservative with inventory so I imagine we’ll see less in sale. But maybe a week after Thanksgiving I do expect to see them not only aggressively market a replenished sale section but also I hope they launch another themed (read: boot) sale. I would die if they released a promotion code or order discount promotion but it’s probably a pipe dream.
Your turn! What do you think Anthropologie should do this year? What do you think they will do?
I join on the "AWESOME BOOT SALE" wishes. I hope Anthro does offer some sort of coupon for black Friday. Anthro has been really good to me, they actually sent my birthday coupon on my birthday month, so I can only wish they send something to their customers. I am a little worried about their inventory though, because retailers like JCrew are really reducing their inventory this year so if you really want something, you really cannot wait for it to go on sale. We can only wish…
They don't particpate in Black Friday or Day after Christmas type sales, because quite frankly, they don't need doorbuster sales. One thing I've learned about them is they don't need to. They'd rather you have a great experience in their store and leave empty-handed than have a so-so experience and buy a ton. They are not a hard-sales drive company whatsoever. I think Free Shipping is the most you'll see in the way of a "coupon". (by the way, I work for them 🙂
I'm really glad you touched on this because I was wondering about this myself. I know it's not Anthros style to do huge blowout sales or promote big sales in store, etc. but I'm crossing my finger they do SOMETHING.
You're right, last year there was a decent size number of markdowns on black friday. I'm expecting for the same thing to happen this year because the markdown sheets have been relatively small so far. My store did open about an hour and a half early last year, but we did close on time.
The most I've seen during the holidays is marked down marked downs. For instance, last year, I scored the lavender Leifsdottir cashmere sweater for $20. I managed once to score a green silk skirt with beading around the waist for $10.00. But they never seem to do much more than that.
A few years ago back I remember Anthro did an extra 40% of sale merchandise — in stores only of course! If only they would do that again! However, I will take sale cuts on all my favorite wishlist items instead 😉
goldenmeans – I miss the days of the extra 40% off sale items @ Anthro! I got some great deals when they used to do that!
I'm just hoping a few of my wishlist items go on sale (I'm looking at you, Elimovna coat). Seriously…I've ordered and returned that dang coat twice…
I can tell you that I worked at Anthro on black friday last year. And the managers were definitely using the words "black friday" all over the place and had our whole staff on duty. There were a LOT of items on sale and it seemed like the main goal was to place lots and lots of low-price-point items (about 70 bucks or less) out front- especially ones that were on sale and had a lot of inventory. Another goal was to keep customer service up on such a huge shopping day and not let the store get messy. If there were any "blowout" (yuck) sales, CS would be obliterated and luckily that's not their style 🙂
Reading all these amazing experiences people had had at Anthro on Black Friday is making me a little jealous. I will not be near an Anthropologie, I will be stuck in the mountains with the in-laws! Don't take me wrong, they are wonderful people, but I will have no place to go shopping. I must find a way to escape.
I agree with golden means, I remembered they did an extra 40% off a few yrs ago. Yes I agree on the "awesome boot sale" as well.
I do hope that they add extra markdowns to their sale inventory. I'd love to get a few early Christmas presents. I'm lucky enough to have a few Anthro stores around my area..The Grove Anthro in L.A. always have a ton of sale items. Happy Shopping everyone!
Rosa – ahhh, the birthday discount. The stuff my dreams are made of during the other 11 months of the year. :)Anonymous @ 6:24 – you nailed it. I agree with everything you said. (I still pine for a promotion though.)Joni – Agreed. I would even take something simple like hot chocolate and festive treats in-store; not that food & drink go well with clothing shopping exactly…Anonymous @ 6:40 – Interesting, so some stores did have extended hours. That would be welcome news to see markdowns on Black Friday. Thank you for the info!Tien – Buying an item at Anthro for $10, especially anything that started over $100, is totally cause for celebration!Goldenmeans, Kim and Joanne – I remember those days too. It's gotten fuzzy as time has gone on though.Lauren H – LOL. I hope the Elimovna Coat is on sale for you on BF. :)Maria – Oh good stuff. I had totally forgotten about the large sale racks up front until you mentioned it. I'm sure it was a challenge to keep the store neat on those crazy days but I love that Anthro makes it a point. Anthro employees rock!Sharon – Agreed. I have already started my Christmas shopping and would looove to wrap it up on Black Friday.
Roxy, it's funny that you mention hot chocolate and treats. My store here in Tucson almost always has this stuff out on weekends, at the front of the store an din the dressing room. During the summer it's cookies and flavored water. My daughter knows Anthro as the "smelly cookie store".
well, last Friday, my local Anthro had a store promotion: additional 25% off your lowest mark item. Only that store had that promotion… I went back to the store twice just so I can take advantage of that! LOL!!! It was a one day promotion…
Roxy,I hope they have 'theme' sale this year too. Even better, and extra 40% off on already-marked down items. 😉 Have you (or any of the fellow readers) ever seen/tried on the the Abstracted Asters Dress (http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?&id=933168) in your NY stores?
Anon, I have not seen the dress unfortunately. Maybe someone else in the community has?
I think it's better that Anthropologie doesn't participate in Black Friday. I think part of the appeal of Anthropologie is that it doesn't resort to tacky gimmicks to get our business – just beautiful, high-quality merchandise and a wonderful in-store experience. I'd be happier if Anthro just moves a few extra items to the sale rack on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so that I don't have to battle crowded parking lots and hysterical shoppers on Friday.
I was in the Great Anthro today, they will not have door buster sale but I was told that they will open at 8AM and they will have more mark downs on new items and mark downs on items that are now marked down.
Anonymous, thank you so much for the update! I am probably going to make one more post for this next week.
what happened to the Anthropologie stores in the Washington DC area? I drove by and they are all closed, as far as I can tell. No sale signs, no going out of business signs. does anyone know?Devoted Fan of Anthropologie