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Northeastern offers Apple Watch for Black Friday deal
Northeastern Fine Jewelry is continuing its tradition of competing with big-box retailers on Black Friday weekend by giving shoppers a special gift, and this year it’s going with wearable tech.

Albany, N.Y.--Northeastern Fine Jewelry is continuing its tradition of competing with the big-box retailers on Black Friday weekend, and this year it’s bringing one of retail’s hottest categories into the mix: wearable technology.
Shoppers who spend $1,299 or more on either Black Friday or the day after (Small Business Saturday) at Northeastern locations in New York and Vermont will receive a free Apple Watch Sport.
The 38 mm smartwatch (valued at around $349) comes with a silver aluminum case, a flexible sports band, retina display, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It’s customizable and allows users to make and receive phone calls, dictate text messages and emails, use apps and track health and fitness activity with a heart rate sensor.
The offer will be available at the retailer’s Albany and Schenectady, N.Y. stores as well as its Manchester, Vt. location.
Northeastern said that it was the first jeweler in the area to offer Black Friday value-added specials. It began doing so nearly a decade ago with a device that was groundbreaking at the time--Apple’s iPod.
Last year, the retailer rewarded customers who spent a minimum of $1,399 with a popular high-definition camera, the GoPro Hero4 Silver, while customers who made purchases of at least $3,499 got a 55-inch Samsung Curved UHD 4K television.
“All of us at Northeastern Fine Jewelry look forward to this annual tradition, which has become a spectacular way to kick off the holiday shopping season,” President Ray Bleser said. “The Apple Watch Sport is sure to be one of the hottest tech gifts on the market this year. We look forward to another tremendous response from patrons and to welcoming them into a hassle-free and enjoyable shopping environment this season.”
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