Gap Inc.’s Banana Republic is giving away Ghirardelli chocolates and six Fiat 500s in the first 12 days of December as U.S. retailers fight the holiday shopping lull that typically follows the Black Friday weekend.
Banana Republic, which has boosted sales this year through partnerships with the “Mad Men” television show and designer Trina Turk, will offer new discounts and gifts each day for its “12 Days of Joy” promotion, San Francisco-based Gap said in an e-mail. J.C. Penney Co. started a 12-day “holiday giving tour” Tuesday, with plans to give out firewood and cashmere scarves, while Target Corp. and Neiman Marcus Group Inc. are waiting until Dec. 1 to release a limited-edition designer collection.
