Last year, 57 million people hit the stores for Black Friday and even

more are expected to show up this year. The day following Thanksgiving has become one of the most popular times of the year for retailers to offer large discounts to customers, making about a third of retailer’s sales for the year. About 31 percent of households are predicted to shop on Black Friday.

Stores like Walmart will be selling high-definition TVs for under $200 and cameras for around $60 offering prices that are largely discounted compared to the rest of the year. The economy’s current state is also expected to make an impact on the number of people looking for lower prices.

Google is once again predicting what items will be flying off the shelves this Holiday season. Even though it may be too early for many shoppers, those who are ahead of the game can get the merchandise before it sells out. By looking at consistently searched items by people on the Google website, the retailing team is able to determine which toys or other products will be in high demand. Last year, Google was able to predict the high sales of the “Zhu Zhu Pets” toys among children.
This year, Google has a new set of products that are already being highly searched for on the internet.

For lower-prices items:

-”Otterbox” iphone covers
-Collectible Japanese “Iwako” erasers.
-Silly Bandz

Pricier items:
-3D TVs
-Flip camcorder
-Wooden training bikes called “Balance Bikes”

Toys:
-Sing-a-Ma-Jigs
-Nurf Stampede

According to recent articles, the amount of money being spent on paid internet searches (such asPPC) has notably risen. Between 2008-2009 there was a 14% rise. Many believe the increase in paid searches can be due to the retail industry being down, leaving more opportunity for non-retail related businesses and consumers to make purchases on the  internet. Search engine sites, such as Bing, are up an impressive 26%, with Google up 15.9% for paid searches.

Paid searches on the internet continue to grow strong and prove to be beneficial to websites on the internet. Leadpile works with PPC publishers to help maximize a site’s potential and bring in consumers who are looking for a service.

We all know how successful Wal-Mart has been in retailing. No matter what is going on with the economy, Wal-Mart has found a way to be successful. Well, it now appears they are getting aggressive on the internet as well.

In the past, Wal-Mart has had many of their products for sale via their Web site. Today, they announced they have added almost one million new items from outside sellers to their Web site.

The Walmart Marketplace has many product categories, and the retailer chose companies based on their product assortment and customer service. Orders will be placed on walmart.com, and will be managed and supported by the chosen retailer. Wal-Mart will take care of the shipping, handling, and customer service.

Needless to say, Wal-Mart has had great success, and it is safe to say that companies like Amazon and eBay will pay close attention to Wal-Mart’s activities. Can Wal-Mart have the same impact on the internet as they have had on smaller retail stores? Stay tuned.