Toronto Star

Predicting the popular purchases

Bargain hunters expected to snap up gadgets, appliances, clothing, vacations and even DNA kits on Black Friday

- VIKRAM BARHAT SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Canada’s Black Friday deals Electronic­s, appliances and clothing are at the top of many lists, T7

With the holiday season upon us, the annual shopping jamboree is about to get underway. One of the most anticipate­d events, Black Friday, kicks off the proceeding­s tomorrow.

From free shipping to one-off bargain basement offers, and lots in between, Black Friday promises to offer deals worth staying up, or waking up early, for. Based on prevailing consumer sentiment, this year’s holiday season is projected to ring up more than $1.1 trillion (US) in sales, according to research firm eMarketer.

Before you log in or line up to score that special product, check out our list of items predicted to be this year’s top sellers on Black Friday.

Tech

Hands down, tech is the hottest product category this season. Following the previous year’s pattern, tech gadgets are poised to hoover up the bulk of Black Friday shopping dollars. Makers of smartphone­s, laptops, personal computers, high-end DSLR cameras, smartwatch­es, digital assistants, TV sets and wearable devices are all predicted to be jostling to find a place on consumers’ holiday wish lists this year. Predictabl­y, Black Friday sales will feature some of these products at bargain prices, making them offers buyers can’t refuse.

Retail expert and co-founder of the Retail Advisors Network, Bruce Winder, forecasts Apple AirPods, Amazon Echo, and Google Assistant will be very popular this year.

“Home theatre and large TVs, as well as gaming, smart-home products, laptops, wearables, headphones, and cameras,” could be some of the other top selling tech gadgets this year, he adds.

Appliances

This category features smaller kitchen appliances, such as coffee makers and toasters, as well as big-ticket items, such as refrigerat­ors, cooking ranges, and smart-home security and automation devices. Appliances rank a close second, following technology, on many people’s shopping lists. “From fridges and stoves to the peren

nial pressure cookers, crockpots and coffee makers, Black Friday is a great time to upgrade the kitchen for entertaini­ng over the holiday,” says Winder.

Fancy threads and accessorie­s

Another must-have on many shopping lists are clothing and accessorie­s. Black Friday is an opportune time to overhaul your winter wardrobe and load up on lifestyle and fitness gear to put your long-term health and fitness plans into motion.

Health and wellness appears to be big this year as retailers look to tap into this trend, notes Winder.

“From memory foam pillows and massage rollers to walking shoes and yoga pants — health is where it’s at,” he says.

Travel

A growing number of travel deals are being packed into Black Friday. Leading airlines and online travel agencies use the Black Friday platform to offer attractive fares and vacation packages that cater to changing lifestyles and the evolving tastes of intrepid travellers who are always planning their Another category expected to be popular with shoppers? Health and wellness, which includes products such as foam rollers and massage balls. next destinatio­n.

Black Friday is a great time to scoop up budget trips and vacations offered by online travel agencies such as Expedia and Booking Holdings. Some of these offers run right through the holiday season.

Miscellane­ous

Then there are deals and products that don’t fall under a specific category, nor are they necessaril­y on shoppers’ wish lists. They just pop up following seasonal trends. One such product is DNA kits, says Winder. These kits use your DNA sample to reveal hidden aspects of your identity. DNA kits can come in the form of ancestry-based kits or health DNA kits and help provide insights into the user’s genealogic­al background or hereditary health profile.

“Retailers try new categories, so look out for some new items you may not have seen on sale in previous years,” says Winder.

Some retailers may offer oversized discounts on certain products that must go in order to make room for their newer iterations. The seasonal overhaulin­g of warehouse inventory makes Black Friday a particular­ly good time to look for assorted items.

This content was funded but not approved by the advertiser.

 ?? NATI HARNIK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Big-screen TVs are expected to be top sellers on Black Friday. This year’s holiday season may ring up more than $1.1 trillion (US) in sales, according to eMarketer.
NATI HARNIK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Big-screen TVs are expected to be top sellers on Black Friday. This year’s holiday season may ring up more than $1.1 trillion (US) in sales, according to eMarketer.
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