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Apple Prepares For Black Friday Sales Event

Posted on: Thursday, 27 November 2008, 08:10 CST

Apple Inc. is preparing for an unprecedented one-day sale on Friday that some say may have the company offering rare discounts of up to 15 percent.

Apple made the announcement on its Web site, calling the sale a "one-day-only holiday shopping event that would offer dozens of great iPod, iPhone, and Mac gift ideas."

Apple’s products are typically more expensive than those of its rivals, and the company rarely offers price reductions.

Known as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving traditionally represents the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, and is typically one of the biggest shopping days of the year for U.S. consumers.

However, this year’s outlook for sales of computers and consumer electronics is particularly grim amid a looming recession that will likely see shoppers cutting back on purchases.

Shaw Wu, an analyst with Kaufman Bros, said in a research note that he expects Apple's Black Friday campaign to be "a little more aggressive than usual."

Wu predicts that Apple’s Mac computers, iPod digital media players and accessories will be discounted as much as 15 percent. Apple has traditionally offered discounts of just 5 to 10 percent.  Wu said it is not yet clear whether iPhones will be included in the sale. 

Retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon have already started discounting Apple products, with Best Buy offering $100 to $150 off certain MacBook laptops on sales through its Web site.  According to Wu, many Apple stores are matching these reseller discounts.

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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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