Black Friday in Wolfsberg: bargain hunting or pressure to buy?

Black Friday in Wolfsberg: bargain hunting or pressure to buy?

November 29th not only marks a date in the calendar in Wolfsberg, but also the beginning of the intensive bargain hunting that comes with Black Friday. Well-known retailers such as the Tenorio shopping center and the Offner fashion house are particularly involved in this international phenomenon. While shoppers hope for discounts, stores are feeling increasing pressure. Customer expectations are rising and competition from online retail is becoming more and more noticeable.

Black Friday, which originated in the USA, has now also become established in Europe and therefore also here. According to Christina Kulterer, managing director of the Offner fashion house, this day has become increasingly important due to the rise in e-commerce. “It is a benefit for all shops and a very important source of revenue,” she emphasizes. From Friday to Sunday the discounts are used to sustainably increase sales figures.

Pressure and challenge of the discount culture

However, the growing discount culture also raises questions. “It has become like an addiction,” states Tenorio. Many customers constantly ask for offers and discounts, which puts retailers in a difficult position. Kulterer adds that skilled workers in stationary retail often no longer receive the appreciation they deserve. A recurring problem is that buyers claim to have seen a product cheaper online, which is often perceived as unfair.

Despite these difficulties, Black Friday remains essential for many retailers. The “Black Weekend” concept is being established at the Tenorio Shopping Center to give customers more time to shop. Kulterer announces that the Offner fashion house is planning special promotions for regular customers on this day in order to bind them to the store. Discounts are only given on selected items to ensure profitability.

Competition and adjustments in stationary retail

Competition from online platforms such as Amazon remains a key challenge. These platforms have the opportunity to extend their offers over a longer period of time, while local stores can often only offer strong discounts on individual days. Tenorio is trying to counteract this by complementing the shopping experience with additional services such as personal advice, delivery and assembly. The appeal of shopping together with friends and family remains an unbeatable advantage.

Many customers now use hybrid active forms of shopping. They often order online, but then pick up the goods directly in the store or exchange them there. In order to remain competitive, both Tenorio and the Offner fashion house are relying on new sales channels, including sales via platforms such as Zalando. Flexibility in business operations is needed now more than ever.