30 Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Businesses of All Sizes

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Retail Stores

Retail stores are at the forefront of Black Friday shopping. With so many businesses competing for attention, it’s crucial to create a standout experience. Here are five ideas to help retail stores maximize Black Friday profits.

1. Choose the Right Background Music

Background music that reflects the holiday spirit with a fun, festive tone can lift moods and keep shoppers in your store longer. In fact, customers stay in a store 42% longer when there’s music playing, and customizing the playlist to suit your brand’s atmosphere can boost sales by an average of 37%.

A commercial music streaming service like Soundtrack gives you access to a wide variety of holiday and Christmas music – far beyond the limited playlists people hear on the radio. A wide range of holiday music genres, from Christmas reggae to holiday indie, will help you stay on brand and find alternatives to overplayed classics.

Meanwhile, a drag-and-drop scheduling feature that’s made for businesses gives you the power to mix holiday music with non-holiday tracks every few songs, allowing you to mix up the holiday mood for customers and employees.

2. Host Flash Sales

Run flash sales throughout the day with limited-time offers and a countdown timer to create a sense of urgency. You can promote these flash sales through social media and in-store announcements. Time-sensitive discounts encourage shoppers to act quickly, increasing impulse buys.

3. Exclusive Early Access for VIP Customers

Give your loyal customers early access to Black Friday deals. This could be an in-store event or an online promotion where they get access to special discounts before the general public. VIP early access makes your most dedicated customers feel valued.

4. Use In-Store Signage to Guide Shoppers

Strategically placed signage directing customers to special deals, bestsellers, or new arrivals can enhance their holiday shopping experience. Clear signage can also reduce the time spent asking for help, ensuring a smoother shopping flow on a busy day.

5. Offer Bundle Discounts

Group related products together in bundles at a discounted price to encourage larger purchases. These bundles provide convenience for customers looking for gifts while giving you a chance to increase average order value.

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Restaurants

Restaurants may not be traditional Black Friday destinations, but by offering attractive deals and Black Friday promotions, they can capture shoppers looking to refuel during their shopping spree. Here are five Black Friday marketing strategies for restaurants.

1. Pick the Right Playlist

Set a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere with a calm, holiday-inspired playlist. Choosing from a wide range of holiday genres allows you to choose music that fits your brand, such as instrumental or acoustic versions of Christmas classics. Conversely, you could take a break from only playing seasonal music and elevate your restaurant with the perfect non-holiday soundtrack, like these playlists curated for Mexican or Japanese restaurants, or create the perfect blend of holiday and non-holiday tracks using a drag-and-drop scheduling feature.

Any genre you pick can make your restaurant a welcoming retreat for tired shoppers, and playing the right mix of hits and lesser known songs that fit your brand can increase restaurant sales 9.1%.

2. Create a Black Friday Brunch Menu

Offer a special Black Friday brunch menu that features crowd-pleasers like comfort foods or healthy options for busy shoppers. Promote these offerings on social media and through email newsletters to attract the morning and midday shopping crowd.

3. Run a ‘Buy One, Get One’ Deal

Offer a “BOGO” promotion on selected menu items, such as appetizers or drinks. This type of deal appeals to groups of friends or families looking for a post-shopping meal and encourages them to spend more.

4. Partner with Nearby Retailers

Collaborate with neighboring stores to offer a discount for shoppers who dine at your restaurant. For example, provide a 10% discount for customers who show a receipt from a local retailer. This encourages cross-promotion and mutual support between businesses.

5. Offer Takeout Deals for Shoppers on the Go

For customers who are in a hurry, create Black Friday-specific takeout combos at discounted rates. Promote these deals with signage in the restaurant, through social media, and on your website.

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Bars

Bars can also benefit from Black Friday traffic by offering promotions that help shoppers unwind after a long day. Here are five marketing ideas for bars to leverage the Black Friday rush.

1. Play the Right Music

Create a laid-back playlist that encourages patrons to relax and enjoy themselves after a hectic day of shopping. Chill-out music, soft rock, or lofi beats are excellent choices for setting a calming yet inviting atmosphere. Not only during Black Friday but also year-round, playing the right background music is a great way to boost your bar’s profit margins.

2. Offer Black Friday-Themed Cocktails

Craft special Black Friday cocktails with fun names and ingredients that fit the season. Promote these limited-time drinks as exclusive to Black Friday, giving customers an extra reason to visit your bar.

3. Host a ‘Black Friday Happy Hour’

Offer a Black Friday Happy Hour in the evening with drink specials that appeal to shoppers looking for a break. Include discounts on popular cocktails, beers, or even a "recovery" snack menu to draw in customers post-shopping.

4. Run a Social Media Giveaway

Engage your target audience by running a social media contest where participants share their Black Friday experience at your bar for a chance to win a free drink or meal. Encourage participants to tag your bar and use a branded hashtag to increase visibility.

5. Offer Group Discounts

Many shoppers travel in groups, whether with friends or family. Offer group discounts on drinks or appetizers to encourage group outings at your bar. For example, you could provide a discount for parties of four or more.

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Hotels

Hotels can capitalize on the big day by offering attractive deals to both local and out-of-town guests. Here are five Black Friday marketing ideas tailored for hotels.

1. Curate the Perfect Soundscape

In your lobby and communal spaces, play a variety of Christmas and holiday genre playlists that fit the mood for each area. For example, a calm playlist featuring light classical or ambient tunes can enhance the relaxing atmosphere of your hotel and offer guests a peaceful respite from the Black Friday frenzy.

2. Create a Black Friday Weekend Getaway Package

Offer a Black Friday weekend package that includes a discounted room rate, late checkout, and perks like complimentary breakfast or a spa credit. This deal can appeal to local residents seeking a mini-staycation or out-of-town shoppers.

3. Partner with Local Malls and Retailers

Collaborate with nearby shopping centers or retailers to offer exclusive discounts or gift cards to hotel guests. You can also offer shuttle service to and from popular shopping destinations, adding convenience for your guests.

4. Host a ‘Recovery’ Spa Promotion

Promote a spa package designed to help guests recover from Black Friday shopping. Offer discounted massages, facials, or wellness treatments for guests who book over the Black Friday weekend.

5. Offer Flexible Check-In/Check-Out Times

To accommodate Black Friday shoppers who want to get an early start or stay late, offer flexible check-in and check-out times. This adds an extra layer of convenience that could attract more bookings.

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Coffee Shops

Coffee shops are perfect pit stops for shoppers looking for a quick energy boost during Black Friday. Here are five marketing ideas for coffee shops to attract more customers on one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

1. Select a Playlist for the Perfect Ambiance

A cozy, mellow playlist with holiday classics, acoustic versions of popular songs, or jazz can set a comforting tone in your coffee shop, making it a peaceful oasis amid the Black Friday chaos. However, to stay on brand, work holiday songs into your usual repertoire instead of letting them take over.

Likewise, don’t start holiday music too early or stop too soon – starting a week before Black Friday and stopping shortly before New Year’s seems to be the sweet spot. This will help keep customers in a holiday mood (and buying seasonal drinks) longer.

2. Offer a ‘Shopper’s Special’ Combo

Create a special Black Friday combo, like a coffee and pastry deal at a discounted price. Promote this combo on social media and inside the shop to cater to shoppers needing a quick break.

3. Promote Gift Cards with a Discount

Offer a Black Friday deal on gift card purchases. For example, offer $5 extra for every $25 gift card purchased. This attracts customers looking for quick, last-minute gifts while increasing future business.

4. Run a Limited-Time Loyalty Promotion

Give extra loyalty points or stamps for purchases made on Black Friday. This incentivizes customers to visit your coffee shop during the day and return in the future for more rewards. This can be part of a broader loyalty program that offers exclusive deals and other incentives.

5. Offer Free Refills on Drip Coffee

Provide free refills on drip coffee for customers who spend a minimum amount or show proof of shopping (such as receipts from nearby stores). This keeps customers in your shop longer and increases the chances of them making additional purchases.

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Grocery Stores

Grocery stores can also benefit from Black Friday by offering shoppers deals on essentials and holiday items. Here are five ideas to help grocery stores attract more customers during Black Friday.

1. Choose the Right Playlist

Keep the energy upbeat with a playlist that mixes holiday music with lively pop songs. This helps maintain a festive atmosphere while encouraging holiday shoppers to stay upbeat and shop efficiently.

2. Offer Black Friday Meal Kits

Create holiday meal kits or themed food bundles at discounted rates for Black Friday. These can include everything needed for a holiday dinner or specific meals like a breakfast bundle or baking kit.

3. Host a ‘Buy More, Save More’ Promotion

Encourage larger purchases by offering tiered discounts. For example, offer 10% off purchases over $50, 15% off over $100, and 20% off over $150. This encourages customers to stock up and spend more.

4. Give Away a Free Gift with Purchase

Offer a free gift, such as a holiday-themed item or popular product, with purchases over a certain amount. This adds value and incentivizes larger purchases while giving customers a little something extra for their loyalty.

5. Create a Social Media Scavenger Hunt

Run a Black Friday-themed scavenger hunt on social media where customers find specific products in-store, take a photo, and tag your grocery store to enter a contest. This engages customers and boosts your online presence while driving in-store traffic.

How to Drive Online Sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Online shopping during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) has become a significant driver of ecommerce, and well-planned strategies, such as an email marketing campaign and social media marketing, can play a key role in maximizing sales for your online store.

Whether you are a large retailer or a small business, Black Friday email marketing is essential for reaching potential customers, increasing your conversion rate, and reducing cart abandonment.

Building and nurturing your email list before the holiday shopping season is crucial. An email list allows you to deliver Black Friday offers, discount codes, digital coupons, and sneak peeks at new products directly to your subscribers.

Effective subject lines are vital in grabbing attention and ensuring subscribers open your emails. Use clear and compelling language, such as “Exclusive Early Bird Deals” or “Don’t Miss Our Best Holiday Sales!” to create a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out). Offering discounts or special offers within your email marketing campaign can drive immediate action.

Teasers, countdowns, and well-designed email templates are useful marketing tactics to build anticipation for your Black Friday marketing campaign. A popup or landing page dedicated to early-bird promotions can capture new customers and keep existing ones engaged. Promotional ideas like gift guides or personalized recommendations can also upsell and cross-sell products.

The ecommerce business landscape is competitive, especially during BFCM. Social media platforms like TikTok, along with influencer marketing, can amplify your email marketing efforts. American shoppers, in particular, are eager to make purchase decisions during this shopping event, so you can use demographics data to target your marketing more effectively.

Utilizing multiple channels like SMS marketing alongside email can help remind customers about their abandoned cart or ongoing holiday sales. Whether you’re offering discounts on your homepage or driving traffic to your ecommerce store through email, optimizing for mobile devices and making the process seamless is critical.

Conclusion

By implementing these 30 Black Friday marketing ideas, businesses of all sizes—from retail stores and restaurants to bars, hotels, coffee shops, and grocery stores—can create effective strategies to drive customer engagement, increase Black Friday sales, and build brand loyalty.

How Soundtrack Can Help

No matter what kind of background music you choose to play for your Black Friday customers, Soundtrack has you covered. Most streaming services are not licensed for businesses, but our library of more than 100 million songs and 1,500 playlists is fully licensed with organizations like BMI, ASCAP, and GMR for streaming in a commercial environment in over 70 countries.

Soundtrack plans give users the freedom to play music on-demand, edit playlists, or generate bespoke playlists from simple text prompts using our AI Playlist Creator. All plans offer the option to filter explicit vocals.