The Buzz Around Black Friday
The calendar’s officially rolled into November, and Daylight Saving Time is now in effect. On its heels comes the countdown to one of the most anticipated unofficial holidays of the year: Black Friday. The busiest shopping day of the year falls on Friday, November 29, and is expected to bring out shoppers in droves. Both brick-and-mortar and online retailers plan to offer deep discounts to incentivize bargain hunters to cross items off their holiday shopping lists early. Yet to make your holiday spending money stretch further, here are a few insider tips that could change your shopping strategy.
- Start shopping now. Retail sales in November and December are expected to exceed $602 billion1, with many shoppers taking advantage of bargain prices pre-Black Friday. Amazon’s countdown has already begun, and other retailers will follow suit in the coming weeks.
- Know not every item is cheapest on Black Friday. Seeing a long list of slashed prices can tempt even the most tamed buyers. Just remember that not every discount is a good deal. Check out Fox Business’s 13 Things Not to Buy on Black Friday to time these purchases more effectively.
- Make the most of the shortened season. With only 26 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the 2013 holiday shopping season is the shortest in more than a decade. For those trying to cram in the same amount of shopping in fewer days, online retailers with free shipping can help ease your worries.
- Turn to technology for savings and solutions. Retailers plan to maximize those measly 26 shopping days by using email marketing and social media to expand their discounts to a growing online shopper base. What’s more, there are apps dedicated to helping you find the best Black Friday deals!
- Combine promotions and offers. From price-matching and loyalty programs to layaway to free shipping and returns, retailers are getting creative to draw in customers and increase sales. Check into your favorite stores’ holiday policies in advance to make the most of what’s available.
If cash on hand is your biggest worry this holiday season, reach out to the King for help. A personal installment loan may be just the solution if you’re planning to meet or exceed last year’s $752.24 holiday expenditure average.
1 “NRF Forecasts Marginal Sales Gains This Holiday Season.” National Retail Federation, posted October 3, 2013. Available at http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=1674.
Cary Silverman is a consummate entrepreneur having sold multiple companies during his 20 years of business experience in the financial industry, but for him, it isn’t about the money. His success is rooted in his passion to focus on doing something better today than it was done yesterday. These days, he’s the CEO of Waldo General, Inc. that oversees the operation of King of Kash.