Shoplocal Reports Record 39 Percent Increase In Black Friday Deals As Retailers Compete To Match Promotions

CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Shoplocal, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), is reporting a record breaking 39 percent increase in deals available on Black Friday Day as retailers aggressively promote their products in a shorter than usual shopping season. Leading retailers also increased their Thanksgiving Day offers by 36 percent over last year, to give shoppers a head start on their holiday shopping, and promoted them heavily well in advance of Black Friday.

Consumers responded in large numbers, with a 22 percent increase in page views on retailers' websites over last year, as they planned their shopping through the month of November.

"Holiday shopping this year is promotion intensive at an unprecedented level," said Vikram Sharma, CEO of Shoplocal. "With six fewer shopping days it is an incredibly competitive shopping season. Retailers advertised even earlier this year, and promotion activity through all of November has grown by double-digits from last year. Black Friday shopping, which has gradually been moving up, is now squarely into Thanksgiving Day. Shoppers should have much to choose from, both online, and as they visit their local stores."

With so many choices, consumers are very active in planning their shopping, and the growth of smart phones and tablets is enabling them to do so anywhere and anytime. Shoppers continue to be cautious as Pew Research studies indicate that 93 percent of American households have less wealth than they did in 2007. They are increasingly letting their phones do the walking before they choose a shopping destination. Shoplocal data shows growth of 149 percent for mobile overall for the month of November.

The latest promotions from leading retailers can be found at http://www.shoplocal.com/  

About Shoplocal
Shoplocal is part of G/O Digital, a Gannett company (NYSE: GCI), which connects advertisers to national audiences with local precision. Shoplocal is the leader in turnkey [email protected] interactive marketing that turns content into commerce for retailers, brands and agencies. Shoplocal offers a complete suite of innovative digital advertising solutions to connect with shoppers along the path to purchase, driving measurable in-store sales and ROI. Shoplocal partners with more than 100 of the nation's top retailers, including CVS, Kohl's, Lowe's, Macy's, Publix, Staples, Target, Walmart and Walgreens, to deliver localized promotions to shoppers at national scale through online circulars, display advertising, search, social media, digital out of home and mobile. For more information, please visit www.localatscale.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/localatscale.

SOURCE Shoplocal