While American consumers flooded retail stores over the Black Friday weekend, businesses have had a difficult time keeping the holiday shopping momentum going. The days right after Thanksgiving and right before Christmas are normally the highest periods of activity at brick-and-mortar locations, but retailers are hoping to draw in crowds in the weeks between by offering giveaways and unique incentives.

According to Bloomberg News, clothing store Banana Republic is providing its customers with Ghirardelli chocolates during the first weeks of December. To mix things up, the company is also giving away six Fiat 500 vehicles to shoppers. Department store giant J.C. Penney is offering seasonal items, such as firewood and cashmere scarves to its store visitors. Other brands, like Target and Neiman Marcus, are hosting limited designer collections aimed at bringing in customers during the holiday shopping lull, writes the source.

Some retailers are planning to sell food at their brick-and-mortar locations, which could draw in shoppers even after the holidays are over, reports Bloomberg News in a separate article. Tommy Bahama will be opening a restaurant at its Manhattan store in a few weeks, and J.C. Penney announced it will be offering juice bars and coffee shops at several of its locations throughout the country.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, December 6th, 2012 at 5:18 am .