shopping

Black Friday 2012 TV + Radio schedule

Whenever I have a TV or radio appearance the first thing I hear is this: "Why didn't you tell me? I would have tuned in!" This is mostly from family members who don't follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest + refuse to use e-mail or cell phones. So to make life easier (and to spare you the incessant twittering + facebook updates/calls/smoke signals asking you to tune in), here is my schedule of appearances for the week which is taken from my weekly email to a group of tech savvy close friends and family. I hope you get a chance to watch and as always feel free to join the Black Friday discussion by emailing me or sending me a note on Facebook/Twitter. Or better yet, go analog and CALL ME. Sheesh. Wednesday November 21nd @ 11:30 am ET on MSNBC: Pre-Black Friday- what you need to know, what numbers is the National Retail Federation expecting for online and offline sales AND what is going on with that Wal-mart labor dispute?

Thursday November 22nd @ 7:00am ET on MSNBC: Cyber Monday- with so many retailers trying to take market share away from Amazon, how much to online sales really count? What can we expect for post Black Friday?

Friday November 23rd @ 5:30 am ET on CBS WOR 710 AM talk radio: Black Friday? More like "Black Quarter." Why retailers feel the need to start promotions in October and will that help sales?

THEN @7:15 am ET on FOX 5 Good Day NY: Mobile shopping and Black Friday: The best apps to use while trolling through the stores.

AND RIGHT AFTER THAT HIT: @ 8:30 am ET on MSNBC: Black Friday- how much are "Fiscal Cliff" and Super Storm Sandy fallout going to have an impact on shopping and consumer sentiment looking forward?

Saturday November 24th @7:20 am ET and 1:20pm ET on MSNBC: "3 Big Money Headlines." Can you guess what we are going to talk about? Black Friday, housing starts and $AAPL stock volatility.

Extreme couponing: not just for hoarders

I know what you're thinking. How can I possibly think those crazies on TLC's "Extreme Couponing" may be on to something? If you haven't seen the show I will give you brief rundown: people (mostly women) spend hours of their day taking coupon clipping to the extreeme. No, I'm not talking about using bigger scissors- I'm talking about stealing newspapers, trolling the internet at all hours of the night, even dumpster diving. Gross. While the stars of the show use their coupons to buy crazy amounts of product for example, 250 bottles of Tide detergent, there are some couponers out there that are JUST as diligent about couponing but can come up with a more well rounded grocery cart. Check out the piece I did with Reuters TV I did this week on extreme couponing. I had  the extreme pleasure of shopping with Susan Samtur aka "coupon queen" where we bought $167.88 worth of groceries for $4 + tax (total was $8.88). I'm someone who likes to cook and save money at the same time. Maybe there is something to be said for taking some time out on the weekends to clip coupons of foods you like, take advantage of store deals and really become a more active consumer. I'll just pass on the 500 tubes of Crest.

 

$FB (Facebook) mania begins: will fashion and retail FINALLY get on board?

When I say "on board" I'm not referring to the 200,000 or so "likes" designers like Diane von Furstenberg have on her page. I'm talking about real retail transactions, people. Like buying stuff and shiz. In all seriousness, in the past four years I've listened to retail C-levels drone on about how social media is changing the way their customers shop. However, everytime I sit through these presentations, earnings calls and convos over drinks I've never heard an actionable plan put in place. Now that Facebook has gone public topping out (there is still an hour or so to this trading day) at a $104 Billion valuation, retailers finally have a reason to get a plan together- and quick. This piece on Racked pretty much spells it out. Here are four main reasons for retailers to take this IPO seriously: 1) Hello, acquisitions!: Now that Facebook has a ton of CASH on the books and a keen interest in world wide domination, the next step is for it to start snapping up companies to help make this happen. Instagram is super cool, but so is a technology company that can help facilitate customer engagement, aggregate sales or customer feedback.

2)Advertising: With over 500 million + users, retailers would be dumb not to want to try and target new and returning customers. However there is one sticking point: do you actually click on those ads when they come up? My survey says: NO.

3) People will actually BUY stuff via facebook recommendations: Did you know $JWN has close to 1.5 million likes on facebook? And department stores are banking on the notion those "likes" will translate into sales. Personally just because my little sister likes something doesn't mean I am going to like it enough to buy it, but that's just me.

4) Bigger than just social media: Retail technology companies are actually building their technologies on the Facebook PLATFORM. Why is that a big deal? Because 15 years ago, the same companies were building it on the Microsoft platform. Crazy, right?

Gasoline Prices Rise- Big Box Retailers Feel the Most Pain.

I don't have a car here in NYC. There really is no need. But after I took a trip out to the Gateway Plaza Mall in Brooklyn, NY a couple weeks ago, I realized how much of an impact rising gasoline prices are having on shoppers wallets. I did my research, spoke to analysts at Global Hunter Securities, even analyzed what shoppers cut back on when those prices started to rise. But it wasn't until we filled the car up with gasoline on the way home and saw the bill for $70 for a FULL TANK OF GAS did it hit me-- this is a real problem. For me $70 equals a couple things: a nice dinner at my favorite restaurant, a facial at Mario Badescu, a new handbag at a sample sale, or two weeks of groceries at Whole Foods. Check out my report here:

Black Friday shopping tips

BEST BUY tips I have my own method to my madness for Black Friday shopping tonight (I have the most amazing assistant ever who created a map for me, Seth and Sarah Mary plus a KEY for each store we are hitting) but I came across these Black Friday shopping tips on the Best Buy web site and I love them. If you are venturing out tonight- these are incredible FYIs.

Black Friday 2009: Store times

All right peeps- in case you were wondering when everything opens for Black Friday I made a consolidated list for ya. For those in NYC the Apple store opens at 12 am tonight with discounts on iPods of up to 30% (BUT if you really want discounts on computers I would hit Mac Mall's 96 Hour Sale). Also, Wal-Mart is open for 24 hours BUT door busters start at 5:00 am which include $3 nightwear $248 32 inch Emerson plasma TV, a TomTom GPS One 124-SE for $59 and DVDs for $3- $5. Babies R Us Sale Starts at 5:00 AM - Ends at 1:00 PM

Bass Pro Shops Sale Starts at 6:00 AM - Ends at 11:00 AM

Bealls Sale Starts at 4:00 AM - Ends at 1:00 PM

BestBuy Sale Starts at 5:00 AM

Cabela's Sale Starts at Midnight

Costco Sale Starts at 9:00 AM

Craft Warehouse Sale Starts at 6:00 AM

Gander Mountain Sale Starts at 6:00 AM

Gap Outlets Sale Starts at Midnight at Participating Stores

Half Price Books Sale Starts at 7:00 AM - Ends at 10:00 AM

Harbor Freight Sale Starts at 7:00 AM

Home Depot Sale Starts at 6:00 AM

JCPenney Sale Starts at 4:00 AM

Kmart Sale Starts at 6:00 AM

Kohls Sale Starts at 4:00 AM - Ends at 1:00 PM

Lowe's Sale Starts at 6:00 AM - Ends at Midnight

Meijer Sale Starts at 5:00 AM - Ends at 12:00 PM

Menards Sale Starts at 6:00 AM

Northern Tool] Sale Starts at 6:00 AM

OfficeMax Sale Starts at 7:00 AM - Ends at 12:00 PM

RadioShack Sale Starts at 5:30 AM

Sam's Club Sale Starts at 5:00 AM

Sears Sale Starts at 4:00 AM

Sports Authority Sale Starts at 5:00 AM

Staples Sale Starts at 6:00 AM - Ends at 10:00 AM

Target Sale Starts at 5:00 AM - Ends at 12:00 PM

Toys R Us Sale Starts at Midnight - Ends at 1:00 PM

Black Friday 2009: HDTV Deals

Aw yea it's that time of year again! While most of you are gearing up for the Olympics of cooking in yer kitchens, I am gearing up for the Olympics of shopping both off and online. Instead of feeding you a bunch of nonsense deals on stuff you really don't care about, I've decided to ONLY give you the heads up on items I am interested in, i.e., flatscreens, cameras, computers and awesome luxe items. Just a little FYI, these prices go into effect in some cases on Thursday (Wal-Mart has it's stores open for 24 hours starting ON Thanksgiving) so be sure to check on line, etc., and I will try my best to give you a heads up on store hours via Twitter. Black Friday 2009! Let's go! (prices aggregated via www.blackfriday.become.com)

BEST BUY: Dynex 19" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L19-10A) - $149.99 Dynex 32" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L321-10A) - $299.99 * Dynex 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L40-10A) - $499.99 Insignia 42" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Model # NS-L42Q120-10A) - $699.99 * LG 32" 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # 32LH30-UA) - $439.99 Panasonic Viera 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P50U1) w/Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # DMP-BD60K) - $999.98 Samsung 32" 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B530P7F) - $497.99 Samsung 32" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B360C5D) - $397.99 Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # LN40B500P3FXZA) - $597.99 Samsung 42" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN42B400P3DXZA) - $547.99 Samsung 46" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Model # UN4686000VF) - $1599.99 * Samsung 46" 1080p LCD HDTV (LN46B500P3FXZA) - $847.99 Samsung 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B530S2F) - $897.99 Samsung 50" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B430P2D) - $697.99 Sony 32" 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) - $377.99 Sony 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL40S504) - $662.99 Sony 46" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL465504) - $852.99

Sharp 42" 1080p LCD HDTV A2863297 - $599.00 Vizio 55" LCD HDTV With Blu-Ray Player Bundle Sony BRAVIA 40" LCD HDTV A2543748

K-MART Element 26" LCD HDTV (Model # 26LE30Q) - $249.99 Panasonic 42" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P42C1) - $549.99 Sony Bravia L Series 32" Class 720p LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) - $379.99 *

KOHL'S 19" LCD HDTV w/Built-in DVD Player - $199.99 * Digital Labs 7 Inch Portable LCD TV - $69.99 *

MEIJER: Sylvania 19" Class LCD HDTV - $129.99 * Sylvania 42" 1080p LCD HDTV - $499.99 *

OFFICE DEPOT: Digital Prism 7" Portable LCD TV ATSC710 - $84.99 Samsung 19" Widescreen LCD HDTV 933HD - $199.99 Samsung 23" Widescreen LCD HDTV 2333HD - $249.99 Samsung 26" Widescreen LCD HDTV T260HD - $299.99

RADIO SHACK: AOC 22" 720P LCD HDTV - $199.99 Auvio 3.5" Pocket Digital TV - $79.99 Auvio 7" Portable TV - $119.99 Samsung 32" LCD HDTV - $399.99

SEARS: AOC 32" Full HD LCD TV - $379.99 Audiovox Under Cabinet Kitchen 7" LCD DVD Clock Radio - $179.99 Eviant 7" Hand Held TV - $89.99 LG 55" LCD HDTV (Model 55LH40) - $1499.99 Panasonic 42" Class Plasma HDTV - $649.99 -Doorbuster! Panasonic 54" Plasma HDTV (Model #TC-P54G10) - $1499.99 Proscan 40" Class LCD HDTV (Model #40LC45Q) - $539.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 22" Class LCD HDTV (Model #LN22B350) - $249.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 40" Class 1080p LCD HDTV (Model #LN40B500) - $599.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 40" LED HDTV UN40B6000 - $1399.99 Samsung 42" Plasma HDTV PN42B400 - $549.99 Samsung 46" 1080P Class LCD HDTV (Model LN46B500) - $899.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 46" Class LCD HDTV (Model LN46B650) - $1309.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 46" LED HDTV (Model UN46B6000) - $1599.99 Samsung 50" Class Plasma HDTV (Model PN50B430) - $699.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV (Model PN50B530) - $899.99 Samsung 52" LN52B530 LCD HDTV - $1299.99 Samsung 55" LED HDTV (Model UN55B6000) - $2469.99 Sharp 19" Class LCD HDTV (Model LC19SB27UT) - $179.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 32" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL-32L504) - $379.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 40" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL40S504) - $664.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 46" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL-46S504) - $854.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 46" LCD HDTV (Model KDL46V5100) - $1239.99 Sony 52" LCD HDTV (Model KDL52V5100) - $1599.99 Toshiba 40" 1080P Class LCD HDTV (Model 40RV525U/R) - $589.99 -Doorbuster! VIZIO 32" ECO HDTV (Model VO320E) - $349.99 Zenith 42" Class Plasma HDTV (Model #Z42PO2) - $499.99 -Doorbuster!

STAPLES: Samsung 23" 2333HD TV/Monitor Combo - $249.98

TARGET: Apex 40" Full HD LCD TV - $449.00 * Haier 7 Inch Portable Digital TV - $79.99 Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV - $246.00

WALMART: Emerson 32" LC320EMFX LCD 720P HDTV - $248.00 * Emerson 42" PL-P42W-10A Plasma 720P HDTV - $448.00 * Flat-Panel TV Stand - $89.00 Philips Large Fixed TV Mount - $69.00 RCA 46" L46FHD37R LCD 1080p HDTV (Online Only) - $688.00 Samsung 32" LN32B360 LCD 720P HDTV (Saturday) - $398.00 Samsung 40" LN40B500 LCD 1080P HDTV (Saturday) - $598.00 Samsung 42" PN42B400 Plasma 720P HDTV (Saturday) - $548.00 Samsung 46" LN46B500 LCD 1080P HDTV (Saturday) - $848.00 Samsung 50" PN50B400 Plasma 720P HDTV (Saturday) - $698.00 Sansui 19" HDLCD1909 LCD HDTV - $128.00 Sanyo 50" DP50719 Plasma HDTV - $598.00 Sony Bravia 32" KDL32L504 LCD 720P HDTV - $378.00 Sony Bravia 40" KDL40S504 LCD 1080P HDTV - $598.00 Sony Bravia 46" KDL46S504 LCD 1080P HDTV - $798.00 *

Productive day.

Instead of going holiday shopping, I decided to plow through my "list of things to do today" and I am happy to report I got through most of of it! Expenses: Done. Responding to random e-mails: Done. Invoices: Done. Woo! Also, stay tuned for the biggest, badest, most awesome last  minute gift guide coming to you at the beginning of the week. I promise you won't be dissapointed!!