The eve of Black Friday is here. People around the country are forming their plans of attack for one of the biggest shopping days of the year. In fact, some have already pitched their tents on the sidewalks of select retailers so that they can be at the front of the line when the doors open.
I’m still curious to see if any retailers have the guts to make Black Friday something more than a price war. More specifically, will any realize the day as an opportunity to create a positive brand experience and cultivate fans?
After my recent post on the topic, I was pointed towards an event that is slowly becoming something of a tradition at Bass Pro Shops. (Thanks zgilliam) It’s called The Great Turkey Campout and it happens in the parking lots of stores around the country.
Customers are invited out on Thanksgiving night for s’mores cooked on an open campfire, hot chocolate and coffee. There are also a number of drawings for camping gear and gift cards.
When the event ends, customers are invited to pitch their tents and camp out the rest of the night, where they will be first in line when the doors open on Black Friday.
Bass Pro saw Black Friday as an opportunity to create a positive experience for it’s biggest fans, instead of focusing on price along to lure customers to the door.
I hope they will continue this event in the coming years and make a tradition out of it, but I challenge them to up the ante a bit. Think of ways to further highlight and encourage the community that Bass Pro supports around camping and hunting. Here are a few ideas:
- Serve everyone deer chili.
- Bring in a storyteller to tell stories around the campfire.
- In the morning, drive coffee around to everyone in a fully outfitted ATV.
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What would you add to this list?
Have you seen any retailers like Bass Pro Shops that are breaking the mold this year?
