Since the original Black Friday (the first day of shopping after Thanksgiving) still left retailers seeing red, analysts are hoping that today, the first shopping day after Christmas, might finally be the shopping Friday that retailers need to nudge their books into the black. They're wistfully calling it Black Friday II.
The BF and I took a drive yesterday in search of an eggnog latte (which we just missed by, like, five minutes -- damn you Starbucks!), but when we were in the parking lot at Highland Park Village, a high-end shopping area in the wealthy Highland Park district of Dallas, I was struck by the number of "SALE" signs in the store windows, not to mention some of the breathtakingly steep discounts advertised.
If this kind of discount desperation doesn't bring shoppers to the stores, then nothing will. And, again, I have to wonder if this kind of discounting and widespread sale-mongering isn't going to leave a permanent impression on consumers. Once you realize that retailers will mark their merchandise down 60%-75% to sell it, then why in the world would anyone in his/her right mind purchase it at full price ever again?
Holding out for a better price is a game of chicken that the consumer can always win.
I mean, even Chanel and Jimmy Choo had "SALE" signs in their windows. At least a few of the customers who shelled out full-price at the beginning of the season for the latest Choo bag must be kicking themselves right now -- "Crap! If I'd just waited five months, I could have paid half that!"
Photos below of Highland Park Village store windows on Christmas day, 2008:
Translation: "For god's sake, will somebody just buy something already!"
Jimmy Choo: Even our desperate sales are sexy and glamorous.
Nothing says 'recession' like a sparkly St. John ensemble -- at a discount!
Cole Haan: Even our desperate sales are bland and practical.
That paper sign taped to the window is one breath away from liquidation.
"Enter into our exclusive palace of luxury -- where everything must go!"
The Chanel mannequins are oh so bored with our economic woes.
Poor Escada, but "sale sale sale sale" pretty much says it all.
The sign in the front of the shop said "3 for 1" . . . really.
Just for reference purposes, the Highland Park area is considered a city of its own, and is the 41st wealthiest city in the U.S., the 19th wealthiest city with a population of over one thousand, and the 3rd wealthiest location in the state of Texas by per capita income. Highland Park Village is also the same shopping center where last Christmas I saw some little girl, who couldn't have been more than 10 years old, stomping along the sidewalk in a full-length fur overcoat (and yes, the fur was real).
The truly wealthy of the world are recession proof. The theoretically wealthy, however, are obviously cutting back.
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Economic realities being what they are, my resolve in the game of chicken is much, much stronger... :) I must say, though, if I were an acquisitive stage of life, it might be a little more difficult. Maybe.
Your Highland Park, TX musings inspire me to go on a demographic survey; Highland Park, IL being another economic standout when it comes to per capita income, but Highland Park, MI perhaps being an anomaly among Highland Parks across the nation. Hmmm.
(This is just the sort of serious, inquisitive, and slightly odd thinking that can take one down the perfume path...right??? ;) )
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You know, I think you might be on to something, and I can't wait to read more about it on your blog!
BTW: I'm very appreciative that you pointed out the Clive Christian competition. I think the idea of hosting a competition for musicians to compose a piece inspired by a fragrance is pretty great, and I'd completely missed the news of it somehow.
Hmmmm, I wonder what kind of musical piece would be inspired by Highland Park, Michigan about now . . .
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