Macy's unveils Black Friday deals online

Macy's is counting on both the power of online and SpongeBob to make its registers ring for Black Friday.

The retailer, which has a store at The Mall at University Town Center, unveiled Thursday its Black Friday doorbuster deals at macys.com/blackfriday. Deals range from 60 percent off men's outerwear , kitchen appliances $8 to $10 after rebate and up to $150 off Dyson vacuums.

Macy's will open starting at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving. and door busters will last through 1 p.m. Black Friday then another set of specials Saturday, Nov. 29 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The big holiday item Macy's is pushing is SpongeBob SquarePants and a holiday plush that can be had with Patrick and Plankton finger puppets, at macys.com/squarepants. In-store, customers can scan special hang tags to unlock SpongeBob content.

“This year, we’re adding another level of entertainment to our highly anticipated Black Friday doorbusters and specials,” said Martine Reardon, chief marketing officer at Macy’s. “As customers navigate their shopping route throughout the store, they will be able to score digital gift codes offering instant wins via Macy’s mobile app. This element of surprise along with a playful new commercial featuring our official holiday ambassador, SpongeBob SquarePants, is certain to add a new element of fun to our customers’ shopping experience on Black Friday this year.”

Macy's is also giving away instant win prizes by using the store's mobile app. Customers can scan QR codes in-store to enter the instant win experience during doorbuster hours and customers will see if they have won a digital gift code worth $10, $25, $50 or $250.

At the end of each hour, a new pool of prizes becomes available and customers can play again. See rules and alternate method of entry at macys.com/million. Customers can text “APP” to 62297 to download Macy’s mobile app.

Mall at University Town Center to open Thanksgiving

The Mall at University Town Center at its opening on Oct. 16. FILE PHOTO

After getting stuffed with turkey, shoppers can stuff themselves inside The Mall at University Town Center for Thanksgiving this year.

The new two-level mall announced Tuesday that it will open from 6 p.m. to midnight Thanksgiving then reopen 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday. Not all stores will be open during that time and others, including department stores, will have their own hours.

For instance, Crate & Barrel announced this month that none of its stores will open for Thanksgiving while Macy's will open at 6 p.m.

Deals and hours for individual stores will be posted at www.mallatutc.com. Some of the specials posted on the mall's website include get $50 for every $150 spent at Tommy Bahama, 30 percent entire purchase at White House | Black Market and up to 50 percent off select cell phone cases plus receive a free screen protector with any purchase at Cellairis.

Bealls Black Friday 2014 ad leaked

Black Friday ad leaks have returned allowing some shoppers to get as giddy as a music fan seeing a set list posted from their favorite band before a concert.

And if you're a fan of Bradenton-based Bealls, you're in luck. BFAds.net leaked what appears to be this year's Bealls ad.

Bealls will open 6 p.m. Thanksgiving and stay open through 11 p.m. Friday, according to the ad, then reopen 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. The biggest draw is that every store will raffle off a Guy Harvey paddle board worth $1,500. The first 200 customers in each store between 6  p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving will be entered to win, according to the ad. Those customers will also receive a $5 coupon.

The Thursday sales from 9 p.m. to midnight will offer 60 percent off most items in the store including toys and holiday home items. Then midnight Thanksgiving to 7 a.m. Black Friday, a coupon is included for 60 percent off clearance items, that goes down to 50 percent off from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Other deals listed include 50 percent off sterling silver and fine silver plate jewelry, $15 off Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, $9.99 juniors screen tees, $4,99 young men, kids and juniors tees, 50 percent off Disney "Frozen" tees and toys and a $50 Shark steam pocket cleaner.

Are any of these deals enticing enough to get you out of bed and into the store? Comment below.

Sam's Club taking broader approach for Black Friday

A Sam's Club member shops for toys. PROVIDED PHOTO

For some retailers, Black Friday doesn't have to be limited to one day.

Warehouse giant Sam's Club is attempting to lure shoppers into its members-only store with both a pre-Black Friday one-day sale and an event to bring in non-members after Black Friday.

Sam's Club announced that a one-day sale for members will start at 7 a.m. Nov. 15 with what the company is touting as Black Friday pricing.

Here's what Sam's Club is teasing for sale that day:

• 60” Vizio Ultra High Definition Television: $998
• Jawbone Up24 Wearable Technology: $69
• .96 Carat Total Weight Diamond Fashion Pendant: $699
• Hotel Luxury Reserve Collection 1,000 Thread Count Sheet Sets, available in king and queen sizes (Sam’s Club Exclusive): $69.98
• Frozen Karaoke Set with Full Soundtrack (Sam’s Club Exclusive): $69.86
• Children’s Frozen Robe and PJ Set (Sam’s Club Exclusive): $17.98
• Cuisinart 14-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set: $79.98

“We know many of our members are excited to get a jump on their holiday shopping so we’re not making them wait for Black Friday,” said Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam’s Club said in a statement. “We’re going to bring members new items early and often throughout the holiday season. Our line-up of holiday events invites members to save, and provides all gift givers an opportunity to discover the value of member savings and enjoy new surprises on every trip into the club.”

Sam's Club maintains a Bradenton store off U.S. 301 and State Road 70 at 5300 30th St. E., and a Sarasota store off Fruitville and Cattlemen roads at 300 N. Cattlemen Road.

Sam's Club will be closed on Thanksgiving then reopen 7 a.m. Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving. SamsClub.com is offering free shipping on Black Friday-labeled items on Thanksgiving, too.

For shoppers who aren't a Sam's Club member, they can shop at Sam's on Nov. 29-30 for an open house both in-store and online. The company is promoting that items will have Black Friday prices, but what those deals are remain to be seen.