by Doug Desjardins
Even for people who never watch football, Super Bowl parties have become a standard part of the first weekend in February and - if nothing else - a good excuse to have a get-together. And retailers are offering more promotions than ever this year, with sales on everything from pizzas to high definition TVS. 
Super Bowl Sunday is a huge day for the pizza delivery business, and two of the largest pizza retailers are offering super-savings. Pizza Hut is putting its emphasis on online orders, giving a 20 percent discount on online orders that are available through text messaging, mobile Web and on Facebook (first-time online customers only). And it's offering a one-day special for any size pizza with any toppings for just $10.
Not to be outdone, Papa John's is offering a similar promotion called "1st and 10" with any large pizza on its menu for $10. And to get customers into the habit of ordering online, it's offering an online-only special of an extra-large pizza with up to four toppings for $11.99 in a deal launched the last week of January that runs through Super Bowl Sunday.
Retailers are also pushing Super Bowl sales for people who need additional seating for a party or need an excuse to replace old furnishings. Kmart has folding chairs from Cosco on sale for just $8.99 and has marked down many of its home-theater recliners, including an Essential Home One-Arm Recliner reduced from $219 to $199.
And people looking for a reason to buy a new, high-definition TV for the big game will have find plenty of retailers providing tempting deals. Wal-Mart has cut prices on select TVs by up to $300 with deals that include a 46-inch, 1080p Sony Bravia for $778 ($300 off) and a 32-inch, 720p Vizio marked down $30 to $368. Best Buy has cut the price of its 46-inch, 1080p Samsung by $900 to $1,599 and Sears is offering 5 percent off all its LCD TVs priced over $499.
Target is taking a novel approach to the Super Bowl with a special "Super Valenbowl" promotion combining sales for Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day - which falls on the following Sunday - with lower prices on LCD TVs and deals on home delivery and installation.
And all those TV sales apparently work in getting people to spend their money. According to the NPD Group, revenue from TV sales in 2009 for the week leading up to the Super Bowl jumped 46 percent compared to the previous week. "There's historically been a bump in TV sales in the week leading up to the Super Bowl," said NPD Group analyst Ross Rubin.
Resources
Top Pizzaries Push Online Ordering, $10 promos for Super Bowl
COUPON TIME
If a new TV is on your Super Bowl shopping list, you won't want to miss our Electronics Coupons.
