Many Retailers Release Black Friday Ads

WASHINGTON - The Black Friday ad blitz has begun -- online, at least.

"As of right now, we have pretty much all of the major Black Friday ads out," said Michael Brim of www.BFads.net. "That includes the big hitters such as Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Toys ‘R’ Us, Kohl’s, we just put up Macy's."

Brim says his website has been tracking those coveted Black Friday circulars since 2003 and he is seeing an interesting trend.

"This is probably the earliest we've seen all of the ads or the majority of the ads come out,” he said. The big thing is that Walmart, which is normally very protective and proactive about not letting the ads leak early, they released their ads last Thursday on Facebook."

"Retailers know there's an excitement they want to build," explained Mike Gatti, Executive Director of the National Retail Federation's marketing division.

Gatti said they do that very well with holiday sale circulars, which are still the primary driver of traffic into the stores.

Websites used to get Black Friday ads in lots of covert ways. Dev Shapiro, spokesperson for Gottadeal.com said leaks came from corporate offices, printing facilities, even store employees who would snap photos of the secret circulars.

Now retailers know it makes sense to play along.

"Retailers are finding the power of social media, and corporations are taking it very seriously,” said Shapiro.

BFads.net’s Brim added there is another benefit.

"It's good to have the ads out earlier because it gives us more time to do more research and analysis,” he said.

Black Friday ad sites are now offering buying guides, deal comparison tools, and the ability to search rather than just sifting through page after page of discounts.

Even though most retailers have released the details of their holiday specials, Gatti said don't expect retailers to put it "all" out there just yet.

"I think they really still keep a few surprises up their sleeves, so the really good ones are probably still being kept secret," said Gatti.

Customers should love having extra time to plan out their holiday deal hunting. Now, with many stores opening earlier than ever as well, shoppers will also have to get up early to find them.

Online:

www.bfads.net

www.gottadeal.com

www.2011blackfridayads.com