Black Friday bonanza
Clothes, travel and toy deals fly for Black Friday
Those keen on a bargain won’t have to look hard for one today. America’s annual shopping event Black Friday, which marks the start of the Christmas shopping season, is in full swing with New Zealand retailers.
Most mainstream retailers are offering discounts of 30 to 50 per cent, with tech gadgets and clothing tipped to offer the largest savings. Other smaller niche retailers and brands are also involved this year.
Some Black Friday discounts last through the weekend and into Cyber Monday, another discount day.
Mid-market department store Farmers is offering 50 per cent off men’s clothing, 30 per cent off children’s clothing and 25 per cent off women’s clothing. It also has 25 per cent discount on toys and up to 50 per cent off furniture.
Electronics retailer Noel Leeming is advertising 30 per cent off its whiteware and Warehouse Stationery is offering 30 per cent off laptops and computers, and 20 per cent off mobile phones.
Rebel Sport, owned by Briscoe Group, has taken Black Friday a step further this year, keeping its stores open to midnight. It is offering 30 per cent off selected lines. Men’s wear retailer Barkers has 40 per cent off everything and a further 10 per cent on certain items.
Barkers marketing manager Jade Harris said Black Friday was a profitable day for the retailer. “Black Friday has grown to be one of the biggest sales days of the year.”
Outdoor equipment and clothing retailer Kathmandu has a summit member discount on its entire range and The Warehouse is offering deals on select items in stores and online.
Among smaller retailers, New Zealand label Ingrid Starnes has Black Friday deals online, offering 30 per cent off some of its clothes, and a further 20 per cent off sale items.
High-end accessory brand Deadly Ponies is celebrating Black Friday but instead of discounts, it has a limited edition miniature handbag up for grabs.
Travel agents are also in on the Black Friday sales opportunity this year, along with optometry retailer Specsavers.
While shopping discounts can be enticing, Canstar general manager Jose George said shoppers should be careful not to get carried away.
“It’s only a saving if it is something you were going to buy anyway,” George said.