Kmart and Sears Share In-Store Trends and Insights From Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday Shopping

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

WHO:      Sears and Kmart (Sears Holdings)

WHEN:    Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25

WHAT:    In-Store Trends and Insights from This Week's 2011 Black Friday Activity

WHERE: Sears and Kmart Stores Nationwide

Shoppers across the U.S. looked to their local Sears and Kmart stores to find early morning doorbusters and Black Friday deals. Both stores will continue to offer savings on top brands throughout the weekend. Some highlights from today's Black Friday activity include:

Kmart

• Kmart stores were open for the 20th consecutive year on Thanksgiving Day, in response to customer desire to have a place to pick up last-minute or forgotten items for family meals – and to start shopping early.
• Customers started arriving to Kmart stores as early as 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, out in full swing to take advantage of the great deals at Kmart.
• Store managers reported that the Ario 32-inch TV ($199.00), the Sylvania seven-inch Netbook ($79.99) and Cannon Throws ($2.99) were amongst some of the hottest items flying off the shelves.
• Some popular categories for shoppers this year were electronics, toys, soft home, jewelry and holiday decor. The Leader i7 tablet ($99.99), fleece pants ($4.99) and drills/power tools (50 percent off) were also big sellers.
• At one Kmart in Baltimore, associates had fun helping customers while dressed up in their Joe Boxer PJs. Stores in the area also experienced volumes of customers coming in early to pick up layaway orders.
• In Detroit, customers were greeted by Kmart store managers who handed out coffee and hot chocolate as they waited in line for the store to open.
• Managers at Kmart stores in the Los Angeles area handed out coffee and issued coupons for doorbuster items to the customers waiting in line.
• In Chicago, warm weather had most customers in a festive mood, upbeat and energetic. Overall, customers were simply waiting and ready to shop.

Sears

• Sears opened its doors at 4 a.m. on Black Friday; customers lined up as early as midnight to get their hands on more than 900 doorbuster deals that were available from 4 a.m. until 1 p.m. (local time) on Friday, Nov. 25.
• The advertised Seiki TV ($199.99), Sylvania seven-inch tablet ($79.99) and the Kenmore Washer/Dryer set ($469.99) were just a few of the hottest sale items of the day.
• Consumer electronics have also been big sellers, especially the advertised 42-inch Panasonic TV ($599.99), the 60-inch Sharp TV ($999.99) and the Sony PS3 bundle pack ($199.99).
• The NordicTrack T5.7 treadmill ($499.99) and E 5.5 elliptical ($449.99) were also hot items, along with the Craftsman 309-piece mechanic's tool set ($199.99) and Craftsman 19-volt cordless drill ($39.99).
• Overall, Sears customers were in good shopping spirits. Philadelphia police came to one Sears store and served coffee to all the shoppers waiting in line.
• In Jersey City, N.J., one customer cried tears of joy when after waiting two hours in line, she was able to buy the Sony PS3 bundle. She hugged and kissed a Sears associate for finding it for her.
• One trend we're seeing today is more customers taking advantage of our integrated retail shopping channels. Merchandise Pick-Up was busy this morning as shoppers picked up purchases they made on Thanksgiving on Sears.com. Sears made Black Friday sale prices available on Thanksgiving Day. 
• Also, customers used integrated shopping channels in store.  On some occasions, stores reported items as sold out, but customers were able to buy the items online with the help of Sears associates in store.

"Following the initial holiday rush, both Sears and Kmart stores across the country continue to experience a steady flow of foot traffic. Customers nationwide took advantage of a variety of great deals. We made good on our promise to our shoppers to give them the best deals on the items they need for the holidays," said Tom Aiello, Sears Holdings.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation