SHOPPING ON BLACK FRIDAY? EXPECT BIG ITEMS, LOW PRICES
We’re more than a month away from the Black Friday shopping extravaganza, and the predictions are rolling in.
Except for stores that traditionally stay closed on Thanksgiving, major retailers such as Walmart, Target and Macy’s are expected to serve up in-store sales before pumpkin pie.
And some sales could start before the turkey is thawed.
For online shopping, the main event could start at 9 p.m. on Nov. 22, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, according to popular holiday website BestBlackFriday.com’s annual predictions.
Smaller, surprise sales are expected to pop up earlier that week, too, said Lindsay Sakraida, director of content marketing for DealNews.com.
“Last year, we saw some stores put their deals online unexpectedly Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” Sakraida said. “We expect to see a lot more of that this year because stores have tried to battle Amazon by taking them by surprise.”
ONLINE SHIFT
DealNews.com and BestBlackFriday.com both expect online shopping will continue to grow and more doorbuster deals to be available online and on mobile devices. Doorbusters are deeply discounted items often extremely limited in supply.
This is good news for those who don’t want to skip Thanksgiving meals and family time but still want to score some of the best bargains of the year.
In the past, scoring the hottest deals on computers, televisions and gaming systems required camping out or waiting hours before stores open.
Adding more deals online could change this, but luck and fast fingers are needed.
This year, Sakraida said very few offers are expected to only be available in-store.
“A lot of stores will advertise deals as in-store only but a lot of them do end up online,” Sakraida said. “A lot of that is because of the pressure of Amazon offering the same type of deals but available online with free shipping, which is very seductive.”
Of course, deals still can still be hard to get online, and many will sell out instantly.
“Whether those crazy prices are online or in-store, it’s going to be really hard to get them,” Sakraida said. “Regardless, you can still get really great discounts that are still worth your time online.”
STORE HOURS
Even though more sales are online, in-store Thanksgiving Day shopping (also known as Gray Thursday) doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
Despite the outcry and shoppers threatening to boycott, many stores and malls still have been flooded with customers on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.
“Some people just really like the excitement,” Sakraida said. “I don’t see that going away entirely, but it’s not as necessary.”
BestBlackFriday.com surveyed stores and found more than 75 retailers who won’t open Nov. 23.
I’m not surprised by the stores staying closed because many, including HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Burlington, don’t scream “Black Friday deals” to me and don’t normally advertise sales.
Wholesale clubs, including BJ’s Wholesale Club, Sam’s Club and Costco and office supply stores Office Depot, Office Max and Staples, also are expected to stay closed Thanksgiving but all will likely have deals online Thursday.
THE TOP DEALS
Some Black Friday deals are predictable.
Every year, we see the lowest prices of the year and rebates on small kitchen appliances including KitchenAid stand mixers.
Christmas decor, toys, winter clothes, shoes and more will be discounted. It’s the time to invest in a new television, tablet or gaming system.
“This Black Friday we’re predicting that 4K TVs are going to be almost as cheap as 1080p,” Sakraida said. “I think we’re going to see a lot of those rock-bottom prices that are meant to be shocking and bring publicity to the store.”
DealNews predicts that a 55inch 1080p television will be on sale for $260 and a 4K for $280.
BestBlackFriday.com’s predictions are close at $275 for a 55inch 4K TV and note smaller 40inch TVs could start at $165. The website also expects video game bundles will see heavy discounts.
Tablet discounts will be similar to past years, Sakraida said. “IPads tend to be a very flashy deal for stores to offer,” she said, adding it could be $150 off or a gift card promotion.
GET PREPARED
Regardless of what’s on your holiday shopping list, take time now to do research.
Sign up for store website accounts, join rewards programs and download apps.
“Some people just really like the excitement.” Lindsay Sakraida, director of content marketing for DealNews.com, on shopping on Thanksgiving and Black Friday