A December To Remember

With reports of black Friday sales reaching over $11.2 billion and same store sales for big retailers reporting a 6% to 7% increase over the same period last year, it would seem that American consumers have woken up from their "no spend" funk and attacked the malls with vigor.  No doubt deep discounts and longer opening hours combined with a barrage of TV and Internet marketing helped.

But what happened to bowling?

In the northeast and mid Atlantic proprietors reported a drop in Thanksgiving weekend open play. The cause? 65 degree, sunny skies and to may football games..  In the Midwest, proprietors fared the same and in the northwest, numbers were slightly up.

Maybe we should declare our own black Friday or christen December a "Bowling Holiday season" complete with fundraising deals, local bowler appreciation days and special pricing on specific day parts.  Judging by black Friday, consumers seem to respond to big sales backed by advertising and Internet communications

So what kind of  exciting offers can you put together that would get more people to come into your center?

Here are some examples:

1. Be a kid with your kid. adults pay $X.XX per two hours and kids 12 and under pay $Y.YY per two hours
2. Bowl for 2 hours from December 22 to December 31 at 4pm any time lanes are available and we will donate X5 to local charity Y
3. Get a free pizza and 4 complimentary soft drinks when 4 or more people bowl for 2 hours for X$$
4. Get $5 back toward future bowling anytime you and your party spend $50 or more

What else can you think of?

How will you promote it outside of the center?

Who will take responsibility for it?