Most dealers we polled said Black Friday weekend sales were up over last year but down from pre-pandemic levels.
Part of the reason is that the sales have become spread out over the full month of November, so the weekend doesn’t get the frenzied surge of shoppers in many cases.
Sales were up 20 percent over last year at Columbus Car Audio, OH compared to last year, but down 63 percent compared to levels before the pandemic. However if you look at the month of November to date compared to 2019, sales would be down only 7 percent (and compared to 2021, up 4 percent), said Todd Hays. This while “2021 was the best year in the 44 year history of the company,” he said.
Tunes-N-Tint, FL also said its sales were a lot stronger than last year although “far from the big Black Fridays of years past,” according to Joe Cassity.
Tunes-N-Tint, is also up year to date over 2021 overall.
Cassity said, “We had no big sellers. Our sales were pretty broad with less entry level customers and more $1000-$2500 sale customers simply looking to save a little bit and buy exactly what they wanted… JL was one of our least discounted brands and one of our biggest sellers for the 2022 Black Friday sale.”
At Armando Sounds, IL, sales were up about 20 percent over last year.
ABC Automotive Electronics, IL said sales were up 30 percent over last year with no promotions or email blasts.
Foss Audio & Tint, WA sales were down about 13 percent from last year, running very similar promotions to last year.
Cartunes of Atlanta took Black Friday off this year and “gave our sales team a chance to enjoy the long holiday! They’ve been outstanding all year …” said Emran Alborno.
We want to add that our reporting may be skewed to favorable results as those whose sales are down may be less likely to respond to our inquiries. We visited two stores on Black Friday in Connecticut and the sales floors were empty at both.
Overall, Black Friday retail results showed sales up 12 percent, in spite of inflation, according to Mastercard’s SpendingPulse report, which also includes restaurant sales.
Specifically, sales of electronics rose 4 percent on Black Friday overall.
But in online Black Friday sales, electronics shined. Audio equipment overall was up 230 percent and smart home equipment was up 271 percent, according to Adobe Analytics.
Black Friday weekend promotions in 12 volt this year included up to $100 off certain Sony and Jensen decks, $330 off a JL Audio amplifier, $100 off remote start and more.
BestBuy.com featured a Sony 7-inch wireless CarPlay/Android Auto deck (no CD), model XAV-AX4000 at $499, down from $399. Bestbuy.com featured a 7-inch Pioneer DMH-1500NEX with CarPlay and Android Auto (no CD) at $319.99, down from $399.99, and an Alpine 7-inch iLX-W650 (no CD) at $329.99, down from $399.99.
Best Buy also offered up to $110 off a Viper remote start.
Both Crutchfield and Best Buy offered a Kenwood DMX4707S with CarPlay and Android Auto (no CD) at $299.99, down from $349.99.
Crutchfield featured a Sony XAV-AX3200 deck with CarPlay and Android Auto at $298, down from $348 and a BOSS BE7ACP-C with backup camera and CarPlay/AA at $219.99, down from $279.99. It showed the JL Audio 5-channel XD1000/5v2 at $769.99, down from $1099.99.
Sound of Tri-State featured a JVC KW-V66BT DVD/CD receiver (6.75-inch screen) at $329.95, down from $399.95. It also offered a Jensen CAR710X mechless deck (no CD) with 7-inch screen and SiriusXM capability at $199.99, down from $299.99.
Soundstream Reserve offered discounts on Harley Davidson replacement radios of about $70.
