Auntie Anne’s Launches Holiday Sweeps

Pretzel shop Auntie Anne’s is out with a holiday-themed sweepstakes, which offers the chance to win a shopping spree complete with chauffeured limousine service.

The “Perfect Day at the Mall” sweepstakes is the latest promotion designed to build brand awareness and get people to take a break from their holiday shopping to munch on a pretzel.

To enter, people register at http://auntieannes.com. One grand-prize winner gets a $4,000 shopping spree, limousine transportation to the mall and home, a personal valet for one day to carry bags and a $25 Auntie Anne’s gift card.

In addition, one first-prize winner gets a $2,000 shopping spree and a $25 Auntie Anne’s gift card. Lesser prizes include Auntie Anne’s gift cards.

Online marketing and in-store signage support the sweepstakes, which runs through Nov. 30.

Auntie Annie’s is counting on the hordes of holiday shoppers to participate.

In fact, 85% of people said they would visit the mall at least once during the season, a recent survey conducted for Auntie Anne’s found. More than one-third said they would visit the mall at least five times during the holidays.

Some 70% of women surveyed said taking advantage of holiday sales is a top reason to shop at malls during the holidays, compared to 54% of men, the survey found. Yet, shopping isn’t always relaxing. Nearly three-quarters of people surveyed (73%) said crowds in the stores are the most stressful aspect of holiday shopping in malls. Traffic ranked second as most stressful at 54% followed by finding a parking spot at 47%.

What would make a perfect day at the mall? More than half of female respondents (58%) said having extra spending money would fit the bill compared to 43% of men, the survey found.

Harris Interactive Inc. surveyed 2,199 people 18 and older, 1,875 of which make at least one trip to the mall during the holiday season. Results were captured between Sept. 21 and 25.