How to Prepare for Black Friday?

Black Friday, also known as ‘Kara Cuma,’ is recognized as a day of discounts and shopping traditions. It is known to have originated from the United States, China, and Canada, with separate accounts for each country. However, it is a period when significant discounts begin in stores, particularly in chain stores, worldwide. Preparing for Black Friday, both as a customer and a seller, is an important period for clearing stock for the next season. It is a remarkable and eagerly anticipated special campaign day for a large number of people. Not only for physical stores but also for e-commerce, November is generally an important month. Companies aim to meet targets and prepare for the last quarter of the year and the new season.

Most customers await days like Black Friday, which are the biggest discount days for shopping. Renowned competitive brands offer significant discounts off the price tag. Thus, Black Friday is also referred to as ‘Muhteşem Cuma’ or ‘Şahane Cuma.’ There are quite ambitious, extensive discount preparations made in both Turkey and various countries around the world.

Looking at its history, it can be said that it originated primarily from the United States. In America, Labor Day is celebrated, which is not widely observed in Turkey but is supported by a shopping frenzy in America. Therefore, discounts of 70% to 80% are applied, rather than the usual discounts of 10% or 20%. Long queues form in front of stores from the night or the first light of morning. Stores with open doors for customers become overcrowded. Stampedes and chaos have also been witnessed. Every year, thousands of people await this opportunity day and compete with each other to take advantage of the discounts. So, let’s take a closer look at how to prepare for this day, from both a brand and a customer perspective…

When should brands start preparing for Black Friday?

Black Friday, celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November, is the day following Thanksgiving when families go shopping for various needs at well-known stores such as malls, bazaars, or local brand stores that adapt to Black Friday. The tradition originated in the United States and has spread worldwide. Stores that aim to sell products to as many customers as possible and brands compete with each other in their discounts.

If you are a brand representative or a business owner preparing for Black Friday, it is important to have some data from previous years at your disposal. This data will help you yield high returns from the campaign you will run this year. Starting your preparations for this day along with the new season in September would be advantageous. Thinking about Black Friday a year in advance is crucial for developing strategies. During this period, goals should be set, budgets prepared, and teams formed. It is important to determine product stocks and establish communication with suppliers as needed. Adequate products should be available to avoid stock shortages while offering significant discounts. Approximately 2-3 months in advance, you can create promotional campaigns and advertisements and implement your plans to reach your target audience. About a month before, you can start social media and billboard campaigns and put up advertisements. This way, you can review both your preparations for the new season and your previous performances.

Firstly, you can determine the percentage of discount you will apply to which products. For this, you can utilize past data. For instance, research has shown that electronic products are the most sold during Black Fridays. Do not miss the point that such periods will be highly advantageous, especially for products that stretch the customer’s budget. Remember that research indicates that two-thirds of the country’s population makes purchases of high amounts during these days. Some brands may start the discount early and end it late. It has also been observed that purchases made on Black Friday are shifted to the periods before and after that day.

The earlier you start your campaign preparations, the better it will be for you. You should determine the budget allocated for the campaign, the stock that needs to be finished, and the products as a brand in advance.

How to prepare for Black Friday?

It is essential to have some data from previous years about the sales of your products to make your preparations. You can outline a path by accessing sales rates, product information, and details about what was purchased by whom. You can reach relevant networks with an explanatory email marketing campaign about your promotions before the campaign. You can also do this through SMS. By examining the campaign results of past years, you can gain insights from your available data. If possible, you can personalize your messages. Addressing your members or users by their names will be effective. Ensure that you are reaching the right target audience. This way, you can influence your customers not only on Black Friday but also during different campaign periods.

What should be considered when preparing for Black Friday?

You can strategically advance your campaigns. You can create a strategy specific to Black Friday. Pay attention to determining which products you will sell at a discount, what kind of campaigns you will run for which product, and setting your targets. After completing your preparations, you can reach customers approximately a month in advance using social media, email marketing, search engine ads, and other advertising channels. These periods are times when customers shop intensively. Prepare in advance for smooth operations regarding customer service, supply chain, stock, and other related matters.

Why is Black Friday important for brands?

Black Friday is significant for brands because it is a period of high-discounted sales, leading to substantial profits. For consumers, it is a time of great opportunities and discounts. It is also an engaging time to market products and intensify campaigns. It is important for understanding the target audience it appeals to. It can be a valuable period for collecting customer feedback and measuring customer satisfaction. These are crucial days for obtaining feedback on products and facilitating improvements in services.

What should be included in the pre-Black Friday checklist?

Creating a checklist before Black Friday can help brands navigate this significant shopping event successfully. Sales targets should be set in advance for Black Friday or similar major campaign days, and checks should be made on how discounts and campaigns will be executed. It should be ensured that stocks are sufficient, and the channels through which the supply chain will continue should be determined.Preparations for major campaign days such as ‘Black Friday’ during the year should start a few months in advance, identifying the target audience, and directing them through email, SMS, or advertising channels. To make the most of the opportunities, you must read the detailed Black Friday Guide e-book by Related Digital.