Black Friday, Cyber Monday still have top holiday deals
But don’t wait too long or that gift might be out of stock
Though some retailers are already rolling out the deals, the best online bargains are still likely to be found on Black Friday and other big sales days – but there’s a catch. Wait till then, and the tablet, laptop or TV you want most may be gone. That’s a key finding from the annual holiday forecast by Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping. In most categories, from furniture to clothing, the best day to snag a deep discount online occurs earlier than the day those items are most likely to be out of stock.
But when it comes to computers, TVs and tablets, which are expected to have the best online deals on Black Friday, chances are highest that they’ll be gone by Thanksgiving – which is the day before.
“If you have a specific model in mind, especially a popular one, purchase it by Thanksgiving to ensure it is available,” says Nate Smith, Adobe Analytics’ group manager of product marketing. “If any model will do, you will get the best deals on Black Friday.”
In recent years, retailers have been unveiling deals of the day and other bargains throughout November and December. But Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday remain among the best times for online bargain hunters to check off their holiday lists – though depending on the gift, some days are better than others.
For instance, based on prices since Oct. 1, online shoppers should be able to save up to 19 percent on toys on Cyber Monday, which takes place Nov. 26. They shouldn’t have to worry about items being out of stock until Nov. 30, though that likely varies by brand.
Meanwhile, shoppers can save up to 22 percent if they buy clothing online Nov. 25. And that’s also the best deal day for appliances, when shoppers can see savings of up to 18 percent, and jewelry, when prices are expected to drop up to 5 percent.
But appliances may be out of stock online that day, and clothing inventory is expected to start selling out by Nov. 26. Jewelry should be available until Christmas Eve.
Adobe’s price predictions are based on an analysis of pricing trends the last two years. And, while some merchandise may disappear online, “a product out of stock may still be available in-store at similar discounts,” Smith says.
Most sales still happen in actual stores, but online spending continues to grow at a faster clip. More than $1 out of every $6 spent this holiday season will be doled out online, amounting to $124.1 billion, Adobe says, a 14.8 percent jump over the previous year and significantly more than the 2.7 percent spending uptick expected offline.
Among the largest online shopping days, the biggest revenue jump is expected to occur Cyber Monday, when spending is projected to leap 17.6 percent to $7.8 billion. Black Friday is next, with spending expected to spike 17.2 percent to $5.9 billion, while online spending on Thanksgiving is forecast to grow 16.5 percent to $3.3 billion.
More than $1 out of every $6 spent this holiday season will be doled out online, amounting to $124.1 billion.