Retail Industry Bailout from Barack Obama: Inauguration Day Souvenirs, Sales, Freebies and Promos
Friday January 16, 2009
The retail industry has queued itself into the economic bailout line with requests for free tax days, but president-elect Barack Obama has a different bailout package for retailers. It’s called Inauguration Day, 2009.
Savvy retailers have been cashing in on American political fever since last summer and are using next week’s historic Inauguration Day as an excuse to sell special Barack Obama merchandise and launch special promotions and freebies. Inauguration Day is the new Black Friday.
QVC has already sold more than 100,000 Obama-related items, and plans to peddle more with its live Inauguration Day coverage. QVC cameras and personalities will be strategically position in D.C. to broadcast the parade, interview parade spectators, and provide live coverage of the pricey Inaugural Ball shindig thrown by the Creative Coalition.
Although it hasn't disclosed exact sales figures, QVC says 1997 was their best year for hawking presidential paraphernalia. Barack bibelot sales have already surpassed that best, QVC told MSNBC.
California e-tailer Zazzle, Inc. may beat the home shopping giant’s record as well, with the 113,000 Obama-related products on the Zazzle e-commerce website. A Zazzle spokesperson said that sales of presidential items have increased 50% week over week since the holidays. Who needs Black Friday and Cyber Monday when you’ve got Inauguration Tuesday to motivate shoppers?
Internet auctioneer eBay was hoping to cash in on some Inauguration Day event ticket auctions, but congressional pressure quickly made that politically incorrect. Nonetheless there are more than 20,000 auctions with “Obama” in the title currently running on eBay, including the sale of the 2005 Chrysler 300C once owned by the president elect. Bidding had reached $101,000 for the car, but due to “erratic bids,” the auction was restarted and there are no “qualified bidders” for the car yet.
No matter what the car sells for, eBay will only keep $125 for itself, which is the standard Successful Listing Fee charged for cars. Right about now, though, eBay should be grateful for any kind of positive publicity.
TGI Friday’s is also hoping to get some publicity for its “Give Me More Stripes” customer loyalty program by hosting “The World’s Largest Inauguration Party” at 920 restaurants in 62 countries. Stripes members will get free buttons, free chips and half-priced appetizers. Both a membership drive and an all-American branding effort, Friday’s is using the patriotic event to fight the downward slide in casual dining caused by recessionary eating habits. Undoubtedly there wil be plenty of people around the world who will be saying “TGI Inaugruation Day” along with them.
The retail industry benefited from the surge of consumer hopefulness by staging Election Day promotions. Many retailers are hoping that Inauguration Day promotions and freebies will trigger optimistic spending again. One thing is certain. Barack Obama has a heavy load to drag around on his coattails for the next four years.
Savvy retailers have been cashing in on American political fever since last summer and are using next week’s historic Inauguration Day as an excuse to sell special Barack Obama merchandise and launch special promotions and freebies. Inauguration Day is the new Black Friday.
QVC has already sold more than 100,000 Obama-related items, and plans to peddle more with its live Inauguration Day coverage. QVC cameras and personalities will be strategically position in D.C. to broadcast the parade, interview parade spectators, and provide live coverage of the pricey Inaugural Ball shindig thrown by the Creative Coalition.
Although it hasn't disclosed exact sales figures, QVC says 1997 was their best year for hawking presidential paraphernalia. Barack bibelot sales have already surpassed that best, QVC told MSNBC.
California e-tailer Zazzle, Inc. may beat the home shopping giant’s record as well, with the 113,000 Obama-related products on the Zazzle e-commerce website. A Zazzle spokesperson said that sales of presidential items have increased 50% week over week since the holidays. Who needs Black Friday and Cyber Monday when you’ve got Inauguration Tuesday to motivate shoppers?
Internet auctioneer eBay was hoping to cash in on some Inauguration Day event ticket auctions, but congressional pressure quickly made that politically incorrect. Nonetheless there are more than 20,000 auctions with “Obama” in the title currently running on eBay, including the sale of the 2005 Chrysler 300C once owned by the president elect. Bidding had reached $101,000 for the car, but due to “erratic bids,” the auction was restarted and there are no “qualified bidders” for the car yet.
No matter what the car sells for, eBay will only keep $125 for itself, which is the standard Successful Listing Fee charged for cars. Right about now, though, eBay should be grateful for any kind of positive publicity.
TGI Friday’s is also hoping to get some publicity for its “Give Me More Stripes” customer loyalty program by hosting “The World’s Largest Inauguration Party” at 920 restaurants in 62 countries. Stripes members will get free buttons, free chips and half-priced appetizers. Both a membership drive and an all-American branding effort, Friday’s is using the patriotic event to fight the downward slide in casual dining caused by recessionary eating habits. Undoubtedly there wil be plenty of people around the world who will be saying “TGI Inaugruation Day” along with them.
The retail industry benefited from the surge of consumer hopefulness by staging Election Day promotions. Many retailers are hoping that Inauguration Day promotions and freebies will trigger optimistic spending again. One thing is certain. Barack Obama has a heavy load to drag around on his coattails for the next four years.
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