Big W is discounting John Sands Christmas cards by 30% while david jones is discounting boxed Christmas cards 40%. In the stores in which I am inolved we are not discounting Christmas cards and sales remain solid compared to last year. Indeed we have purchased additional boxed card stock.
This is the second time Ive heard this now that majors and some newsagencies have been discounting boxed christmas cards, but certainly not by as much as 40%, I find this quite worrying as i have mentioned before the calendar market was prostituted by this type of discounting years ago, and I find it very worrisome that this is the case before christmas. What also troubles me is the economic data, lack of media support for christmas spending in our industry (eg cards, wrap etc.) but a huge rap for spending Kevins giveaway in your Harvey Normans and the like.. Next Christmas will be the kicker, will the punter purchase at after christmas sales and leave us bereft I hope not
Haley,
I agree with you. I am seeing no reason to discount cards, boxed cards, calendars or diaries at this point this year. Even on items I have bought for a good discount. In multiple demographics sales are strong.
Let’s not train people to expect a discount.
Mark
I don’t get this discount at all cost mentality.
We have all but sold out of boxed cards and are going great guns on the single cards, all without a single discount in sight.
We stock a great range of Hallmark stock and have merchandised the entire front of store to scream christmas (not the cheap xmas everyone else is selling) and the customers have responded well.
You don’t have to chase the easy option to get good results, it just takes a bit of pride in your work. All around I see shops offering discounts as the only means to get a sale, try offering a superior customer experience and you stand out from the crowd.
Good luck to all for next week.
We have quality Hallmark and Kat Kard products, all at no discount and all are selling well. We have Crazy Clarks and Sams Warehouse in our centre and both have discounted their entire Xmas offer by 40% and have done this for weeks now.
I stand as a lone beacon of quality goods at fair prices in this shopping centre as the other retailers have chased the majors into discounting.
The only product line not moving to my satisfaction is calendars as all other sellers in all other nearby centres are at 50% off and have been for weeks. Mine sell when theirs have sold out.
My staff and I walk the floor however, greet customers, have a chat and a laugh and assist with that great gift idea, thats why we sell stuff.
Luke,
I agree with your observation with so many retailers this year pitching a “cheap xmas”. As a consumer I hate it. Trying to find quality christmas product is very difficult even stores such as Myer have pitched a little lower this year. There is still a very sizeable market to service where quality, not price, is the most important aspect.
yes this morning in south australia, just heard myers have gone to 50% discount of boxed cards on the 18/12