Discount chains do it. Mid-level chains do it. This year, 3/4 of Soho is doing it! But for this blog, the question is will Anthropologie discount further on Black Friday? As we established last week the answer is probably not (and here’s thoughts on why they won’t) but since when have I ever let reality stop me? The consensus seems to be that many Anthros will open early. Some might even have extra discounts on their oldest sale items as an incentive to move the stock. But uh, hint hint Anthro, my heaviest traffic days are sale days for a reason.
Since I already give the cow the milk for free anyway, I thought up some Anthro-style non-marketing marketing ideas they could implement on Black Friday:
1. Donate a plushie to charity, get 15% off one item.
Every year Anthropologie sells select stuff animals. In-store, you can purchase and donate the item to a local charity. It’s a great cause and one I participate in every year. Wouldn’t it be great if just for a day there was a little extra incentive to help out? 15% off one item is less than you get on your birthday and more than on any other day. Limit it to full-price items if you have to. By tying it to a cause you’re not really doing a promotion. You’re just making the warm fuzzy feeling a bit warmer and fuzzier.
2. It’s the spirit of giving! Bring a friend and both of you get 15% off one item.
Why go the Black Friday mess alone when two of you can suffer together? Reward the addicts for introducing a friend to Anthropologie with a one-time, single item discount. Make them feel special for spending their Black Friday at Anthro instead of up at the outlet malls, getting run over by an SUV.
3. Make way for the presents! Take an additional 40% off sale.
Yeah, don’t think I don’t remember wayyy back in the early aughts when you used to do this every year. I’ve seen a bunch of the same items in sale for weeks now at all 3 NYC Anthros. I can’t imagine it’s any different around the country. I know you had a ton of fresh cuts this morning and that was really nice. Maybe once a year your gift to the loyal is another nice sale addition on Friday plus 40% off anything in sale? Or some decent percentage? It’s inventory you need to move out anyway to make room for the new stuff.
4. Buy 4 ornaments, get 15% off one item.
This could really be called the Christmas bias discount. But what the heck, I love Christmas anyway. Your ornaments are cute but I see tons on sale come every late December. Help move them along and give the Christmas-celebraters in this world one more thing to rub in the faces of every other religion.
5. Just because we heart you: take 15% off one item.
Seriously Anthro, I drop almost as much money with you annually as I made at my first job out of college. It’s the giving season! I don’t want to draw any unfair comparisons to certain characters visited by three ghosts but when the New York Times is writing PR-planted stories about how the luxury stores aren’t discounting (yeah right, good one guys!) and everyone else including the cart guys are cutting some slack in this economy, it would really build some goodwill with your faithful devoted. Think of it not as a discount but more as a holiday greeting from your house to ours.
Ladies, have you heard about any special events at your local Anthro on Friday? So far I’ve heard notta besides opening early.
This is OT, but Nordstrom has Leifsdottr croquis silk blouse on sale for $135. On Anthro, it is $228. Nordstrom also has free shipping for orders over $100 with code: HOLIDAY09
We can only wish that they will throw a bone our way!I remember the extra % off days. Loved those! My gut tells me there will be no extra sale or new items in sale. Maybe an additional markdown on the older sale items? Still hoping….
I like ideas number 1 and 4. I hope they have more sale items on Friday as I was a little disappointed with the items that went on sale today.
Unfortunately, as long as we keep giving anthro the money for non sale items they won't throw us a bone.
They could give preferred customers (i.e. people who spend over some amount) the 40% off sale items during the big sale season.Because as it stands now, there is every incentive to use Anthro as a buying guide and try to find the products elsewhere. There are Leifsdottir tops full price at Anthro that are 50% off at Nordstrom, and in the past I've purchased Chie Mihara, All Black, Biviel etc shoes that Anthro stocked at lower prices at Piperlime or Shoefly. Doesn't work for all brands, of course, but if there was a reward for customer loyalty, I'd be more inclined to buy those items at Anthro.
Roxy these are fantastic ideas! I would be so happy if Anthro did any of them.
Hi Roxy,Sorry this comment is so late, and not totally related to the topic… I scored Slant-Striped Sweater by Moth for 69.95 this morning. I remember you commented about liking the sweater a lot back on Sept 28, not sure if you already got it. I got it from Portland, OR store. (503)274-0293. One of the sale rep looked awesome in that sweater, and that's how I learned about it being on sale today.
like your ideas roxyi know i am tired of all of the same items that have been lingering in the sale section in our local stores
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Anon – Word. This is so true when it comes to shoes. Honestly, the lack of Black Friday deals isn't that much of an issue for me. The lack of incentives during the whole year bothers me the most.
Roxy: went into Anthro today for some recon. Looks like and from what I heard, the markdowns yesterday were it. They are organizing the stuff really nicely with various price points for the stuff that it on sale. Most we can hope is that there is some % off sale in my opinion, but don't think so. 🙁
Anon — a HUGE thanks for reporting back! I like that they're at least organizing things by price point. It would be nice if for the weekend they brought sale up front like they did last year. I saw a bunch of new stuff out I'd like to try on for the blog so we'll see how it goes.
Roxy: they are planning on bringing some of the lower price point stuff front and center. Thanks for reminding me. Have a Happy Turkey Day—–
Just checked the 5th ave & 16th street store — absolutely nothing out of the ordinary going on there!
This doesn't count for most of us, but there is a discount for family members of Anthro employees during the holidays. I think it's 25% off or something crazy like that. The family members get a special discount card to use whenever they shop from now until the end of the year. One of my friend's has a sister-in-law who works there. Lucky duck!