When to bag a bargain

Black Friday and Cyber Monday discount sprees are looming, writes Sophie Elsworth

EAGER shoppers are ready to pounce in droves this week on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, filling up their Christmas stockings during the discount frenzy.

Everything from technology to toys, books, fashion, footwear and travel will be on offer with a reduced price attached.

These bumper shopping days are a prime time for consumers to snap up goods and eliminate the stress of last-minute Christmas present picking.

Black Friday originated in the US and falls the Friday after the Thanksgiving holiday, while Cyber Monday follows immediately after.

It’s proven a hit in Australia in recent years after retailers rung in massive sales through their tills, both online and instore.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows, in November last year, shoppers splashed $28.6 billion compared with $34.3 billion in December.

Online shopping rewards website ShopBack’s country manager, Angus Muffet, said “it’s the last major sale event before

Christmas”. “It’s the last chance for shoppers to take advantage of the massive offers that retailers are going to be going out with before Christmas,” he said.

“This is the best time to get all those Christmas presents sorted.”

And many Aussies have planned to maximise these discounted shopping days. Research from St George Bank found four in 10 shoppers would use Black Friday and Cyber Monday to buy gifts ahead of Christmas.

Budget-conscious mother Jenna Earle, 35, who works fulltime in administration, has already written a list of what she is buying.

“I’m going to spend around $100 per person and am buying for about 10 to 12 people,” she said. “Having these sales towards the end of November is super helpful in getting organised and saving money when there’s discounts.”

Mrs Earle expects to do about 75 per cent of her shopping online and plans to purchase items including toys, books, small appliances, make-up and skincare.

The Australian Retailers Association’s executive director, Russell Zimmerman, said more bricks and mortar retailers had been jumping on board these discounted shopping days.

“Retailers will run sales over the whole weekend so you’ll find on Black Friday it will run into the weekend and then Cyber Monday,” he said.

“Retailers will want shoppers to come in and spend up big on Christmas so they will be thinking about what they can put out to entice consumers online or in their bricks and mortar outlets.”

Mr Zimmerman said people pouncing on these sales should be organised because “these will be the days to get the last of the big sales”.

Popular cash rewards sites, including ShopBack and Cashrewards, are also busy at this time of year, giving consumers money back when they spend up.

Shoppers have the option to buy in store or online, use click and collect or have their purchases delivered safely to their front door.