The annual Black Friday shopping frenzy is back.
A decades-old tradition celebrated every year the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season in America.
Together with its more recent online counterpart Cyber Monday, the sales have become a major global event over the past few years as online shopping has brought the bargains to the rest of the world.
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| Black Friday 2018 sales are here |
Australian retailers are increasingly getting on board, offering their own deals in a bid to stop some of those dollary-doos going overseas.
“Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the last big sales before Christmas, so it’s the perfect time to start your shopping — and bag a bargain while you’re at it,” said Finder.com.au money expert Bessie Hassan.
“With Australians tipped to spend more than $1300 each on Christmas, a discount here and there could make a huge difference.”
Black Friday 2017 brought in $US5.03 billion ($6.87 billion), an increase of 16.9 per cent on the previous year, while Cyber Monday sales were up 16.8 per cent to a record $US6.59 billion ($9 billion), according to Adobe Analytics.
The combined $US11.62 billion ($15.87 billion) paled in comparison to Alibaba’s Singles Day event, which last week shattered records with $42 billion in purchases in 24 hours.
Aussie shoppers generally prefer Black Friday, however, spending an estimated $200 million last year. Finder.com.au predicts that figure will top $320 million this year, with research suggesting four million Australians plan to take part.
A survey by ING found 70 per cent of Australians have bought something online from an international retailer in the past 12 months, spending some $6.6 billion at an average of 5.6 purchases totalling $492.77 per person.
While the sale technically starts at 4pm AEDT on Friday, or midnight US time, many retailers now offer deals all week. If the overseas retailer doesn’t ship to Australia, you can sign up for Australia Post’s ShopMate parcel forwarding service.
“Some brands will even start their sale before Friday, so keep an eye out on your favourite stores,” Ms Hassan said. “If you haven’t already, sign up for their e-newsletter and follow their social media channels to be the first in the know when the sales hit.”
Meanwhile, PayPal head of consumer marketing Liz Lefort has offered some tips for Australians to stay safe and get the most out of the online sales.
Ms Lefort said shoppers should “look for the lock” icon next the website URL indicating the site has security features in place, while avoiding doing shopping while using public Wi-Fi.
Watch out for suspicious links in marketing emails that seem too good to be true, and do your research by looking up reviews for online vendors before purchasing anything.
She also recommends using a price comparison tool. “Use online tools such as Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, NexTag or Pronto to help you quickly determine if you’re getting the best deal before you hit purchase,” she said.
LATEST BLACK FRIDAY DEALS
• International
Walmart: 33 per cent off Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Bundle
Home Depot: Up to 40 per cent off power tools and accessories
Amazon: 53 per cent off Ecovacs robot vacuum cleaner
eBay: 60 per cent off Bose TV sound bar
Walgreens: 50 per cent off beauty gift sets
Lowe’s: Up to 35 per cent off smart home products
Best Buy: 25 per cent off iPad Mini 4 128GB
Macy’s: $25.95 shipping to Australia for orders over $130
Rite Aid: 30 per cent off online, code BLACKFRIDAY
Kohl’s: 30 per cent off Under Armour products
Meijer: 36 per cent off Keurig coffee machines
Nordstrom: Up to 40 per cent off, international shipping
Sears: Up to 50 per cent off winter clothing
GAP: 40 per cent off everything, code GIFT
BJ’s Wholesale Club: 30 per cent off PlayStation 4 Bundle
JCPenney: 72 per cent off Xersion puffy jackets
Bed Bath & Beyond: 35 per cent off all Nespresso machines
QVC: $US10 off first order, code TEN4U
Victoria’s Secret: 15 per cent off total order, code VSSAVE15
Dick’s Sporting Goods: 20 per cent off total order, exclusions apply
Staples: 40 per cent off HP Pavilion Intel Core i7 laptops
Bass Pro: Up to 50 per cent off fishing supplies
Tractor Supply Co: Up to 40 per cent off dog beds and accessories
Burlington Coat Factory: Up to 44 per cent off pyjamas
Ulta Beauty: Free nine-piece gift with any purchase over $US60
ASOS: Students get 20 per cent off
Book Depository: Up to 60 per cent off, free shipping
Target: 50 per cent off Hatchimals Surprise
Banana Republic: 40 per cent off purchase, some exclusions
Urban Outfitters: Up to 70 per cent off bedding
Indochino: Up to 70 per cent off everything
• Australia
Harvey Norman: 15 per cent off Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
JB Hi-Fi: 33 per cent off GoPro Hero
Bing Lee: $300 Woolworths gift card with selected appliances
Kogan: 42 per cent off Dyson V7 Cord-Free Vacuum Cleaner
Myer: 50 per cent off Jamie Oliver Tefal cookware
David Jones: 30 per cent off selected Calvin Klein clothing
Catch.com.au: 41 per cent off Asics sneakers
Groupon: Up to 80 per cent off recommended retail price
Sephora: 10 per cent off first online purchase, code ONLINE10
Priceline: 50 per cent off cosmetics
Chemist Warehouse: 50 per cent off Swisse vitamins and skincare
Cotton On: 30 per cent off all swimwear
Lorna Jane: 30 per cent off when you buy three items
ShowPo: 25 per cent off orders over $100, code CYBER25
The Iconic: 30 per cent off, code SAVE30
General Pants: Free express delivery on orders over $75
InStitchu: 50 per cent off all shirts with suit purchase
OPSM: 20 per cent off storewide, code SW3
Expedia: 50 per cent off selected hotels, packages and experiences
Intrepid Travel: Buy one get one free on Asia Adventure Cruises
Question - What is Black Friday?
Answer - The Day After Thanksgiving (Friday) is known as Black Friday. This used to be unofficially or officially the start of holiday shopping season. Almost all stores come out with Doorbuster Sales with the early bird special to attract consumers to their shop. People stand in line hours before the stores are opened, to grab the bargains of the year. In last few years, we have witnessed a trend towards bringing those Black Friday Sales online before Friday.
Black Friday is no more a one-day event
In last few years (starting from 2013 to be precise), Black Friday Sales have started way before Friday-with some stores starting their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving day & some even starting on Wednesday and Monday. It would not be surprising to see Black Friday sale starting on Monday on the Black Friday week. As a result, revenue-wise Black Friday is NOT the biggest day for stores. Biggest sales day now include Thanksgiving day, Green Mondayand Cyber Monday.
Question - Why it is called Black Friday?
Answer - Closest reason as to why it is known as Black Friday is given in Wikipedia - "Many retailers report some of their highest profits on Black Friday. The black portion of the name, "Black Friday" relates to businesses recording their losses in red ink and gains in black. This tradition lives on in modern accounting software, hence the name.". The term Black Friday got traction with the Internet. Deals websites like Dealsofamerica.com started to highlight "Black Friday sales" from 2003 and the retailers picked it up. Essentially, Black Friday is an Internet term. Prior to it, people used to refer the sales as 'Day after Thanksgiving Sale' or some variation of it.
Question - So When is Black Friday?
Answer - Friday, November 23th, 2018
Question - When do Retailers Officially Publish their Advertisements?
Answer - Most ads are published in the newspaper on Thanksgiving Day. (The day before Black Friday). But more recently, many stores are starting to publish their Black Friday Ad early in November or sometimes they leak it even in October. Some stores then have additional black Friday doorbuster items that they only reveal on their website.
Question - Are there black Friday sales online?
Answer - Most Black Friday Sales go online when their Black Friday store sales start. As we pointed out earlier that many stores offer their Black Friday Sale online - before Black Friday. However, Some in-store only Black Friday deals from few stores, may not be available online. Many of such Black Friday like or even better than black Friday deals can be found at DealsOfAmerica.com throughout the year, including right now. Every day is like Black Friday @ Dealsofamerica.com so please bookmark & visit often!
Question - When will you post the Black Friday Ads or Flyers
Answer - As soon as we learn about the advertisement or we receive the ad, we will post it. Please see our Black Friday Ad Leak Timeline Prediction to see when may expect to see an ad from your favorite stores.
Question - Are Banks Closed On Thanksgiving?
Answer - Yes, Thanksgiving Day is a Federal Holiday in the USA. Because of this, most banks are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Question - Are Banks Open on Black Friday?
Answer - Yes, Black Friday is NOT a Federal Holiday in the USA. Most banks are open on Black Friday. Though Black Friday is an unofficial shopping holiday, some financial institutions might be closed on Black Friday to allow their employees a long weekend off.
Answer - The Day After Thanksgiving (Friday) is known as Black Friday. This used to be unofficially or officially the start of holiday shopping season. Almost all stores come out with Doorbuster Sales with the early bird special to attract consumers to their shop. People stand in line hours before the stores are opened, to grab the bargains of the year. In last few years, we have witnessed a trend towards bringing those Black Friday Sales online before Friday.
Black Friday is no more a one-day event
In last few years (starting from 2013 to be precise), Black Friday Sales have started way before Friday-with some stores starting their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving day & some even starting on Wednesday and Monday. It would not be surprising to see Black Friday sale starting on Monday on the Black Friday week. As a result, revenue-wise Black Friday is NOT the biggest day for stores. Biggest sales day now include Thanksgiving day, Green Mondayand Cyber Monday.
Question - Why it is called Black Friday?
Answer - Closest reason as to why it is known as Black Friday is given in Wikipedia - "Many retailers report some of their highest profits on Black Friday. The black portion of the name, "Black Friday" relates to businesses recording their losses in red ink and gains in black. This tradition lives on in modern accounting software, hence the name.". The term Black Friday got traction with the Internet. Deals websites like Dealsofamerica.com started to highlight "Black Friday sales" from 2003 and the retailers picked it up. Essentially, Black Friday is an Internet term. Prior to it, people used to refer the sales as 'Day after Thanksgiving Sale' or some variation of it.
Question - So When is Black Friday?
Answer - Friday, November 23th, 2018
Question - When do Retailers Officially Publish their Advertisements?
Answer - Most ads are published in the newspaper on Thanksgiving Day. (The day before Black Friday). But more recently, many stores are starting to publish their Black Friday Ad early in November or sometimes they leak it even in October. Some stores then have additional black Friday doorbuster items that they only reveal on their website.
Question - Are there black Friday sales online?
Answer - Most Black Friday Sales go online when their Black Friday store sales start. As we pointed out earlier that many stores offer their Black Friday Sale online - before Black Friday. However, Some in-store only Black Friday deals from few stores, may not be available online. Many of such Black Friday like or even better than black Friday deals can be found at DealsOfAmerica.com throughout the year, including right now. Every day is like Black Friday @ Dealsofamerica.com so please bookmark & visit often!
Question - When will you post the Black Friday Ads or Flyers
Answer - As soon as we learn about the advertisement or we receive the ad, we will post it. Please see our Black Friday Ad Leak Timeline Prediction to see when may expect to see an ad from your favorite stores.
Question - Are Banks Closed On Thanksgiving?
Answer - Yes, Thanksgiving Day is a Federal Holiday in the USA. Because of this, most banks are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Question - Are Banks Open on Black Friday?
Answer - Yes, Black Friday is NOT a Federal Holiday in the USA. Most banks are open on Black Friday. Though Black Friday is an unofficial shopping holiday, some financial institutions might be closed on Black Friday to allow their employees a long weekend off.
Tips for Black Friday Shopping
- Visit https://www.theblackfriday.com every day. Black Friday deals or similar may be available before Black Friday itself. If they are available, we will cover them live on https://www.dealsofamerica.com so please bookmark it as well.
- Check store maps. Stores like WalMart release their store map clearly describing where you can find items you are looking for. Since the stores are so big, lines are huge and quantities of most desired items are limited, you may want to go prepared so you can get what you are looking for. [See Black Friday Store Maps - WalMart]
- Check store maps. Stores like WalMart release their store map clearly describing where you can find items you are looking for. Since the stores are so big, lines are huge and quantities of most desired items are limited, you may want to go prepared so you can get what you are looking for. [See Black Friday Store Maps - WalMart]
- Call your local store to find out when they will start giving tickets, and where (which gate) should they stand in line. Usually, people stand well in advance of store opening hours. Since doorbuster items are in limited quantities, they distribute tickets to those who are ahead in line. For example, if a store has 20 TVs for $249, stores employees will give tickets to first 20 people. If you get the ticket, you can go to the counter, pay and get the item.
- Decide what you want in advance. You may NOT be able to cover all the stores and may not be able to get ALL the early bird Specials. So decide in advance what is the most important item that you absolutely need.
- Give preference to the big-ticket item as you will save more on those items. For example, you likely save few hundred dollars on an expensive TV of over thousand dollars than on a pair of shoes costing $20. While both may be available at very good prices but may be in two different stores, so you may only be able to get one (assuming both are doorbuster deals), and saving on the TV may be in a range of few hundred dollars while saving on shoe may be in under $50. Check out - What to buy on Black Friday article to get more buying tips.
- If possible have a group of people, but everyone going to a different store. Each person going to any store may buy an item for everyone else in the group. Although for some doorbuster items, store offer one slip to person, so you may not be able to get more than one such item.
- Check Price Matching Policy of stores. Some stores offer price match so instead of standing in a queue you may just walk into a store with no or less queue and that offers a price match. (And yes, make sure that they have item in stock). Price Matching is always a tricky situation. Some stores may be kind enough to honor their words while other may NOT be. Some employee's and Managers are also reluctant to offer a price match.
- Buy in advance and get the price adjusted on Black Friday day. Again, Some store may or may not adjust the price. You may try return and re-purchase at Black Friday price on Black Friday. Again, some store may refuse to sell it back, stating that item has to go in first.
- Buy Only what you need. Many stores are strict on restocking fee which may range from 5-15%.This usually applies to big-ticket electronics & tech items.
- PARK SMART. Park in the parking lot of nearby another place where there is no sale. Walk to store. This way, you won't get stuck in a BIG queue of people coming in and out to the main store. - Get Dressed for winter Especially if you are in East coast or North. You don't want to catch a cold or get Sick while bargain hunting. It will kill the deal :)
- Shop Online. These day's most Black Friday items are available online as well. Check out Dealsofamerica.com for all online deals. This is one of the best and most frequently updated website on the web so you are sure to get all bargains there. With rising gas prices, sinking temperatures (harsh winter) and many online deals with Free Shipping Offers, Online Shopping is gaining ground.
- If you miss the deal, No problem! We highly recommend you to visit dealsofamerica.com every hour - throughout the year - as they have new deals every 30 minutes or so. You are likely to see black Friday like deals throughout the year. You can set a Keyword Alert for the item that you are looking for, as soon as they post that item you will receive an alert.
- Decide what you want in advance. You may NOT be able to cover all the stores and may not be able to get ALL the early bird Specials. So decide in advance what is the most important item that you absolutely need.
- Give preference to the big-ticket item as you will save more on those items. For example, you likely save few hundred dollars on an expensive TV of over thousand dollars than on a pair of shoes costing $20. While both may be available at very good prices but may be in two different stores, so you may only be able to get one (assuming both are doorbuster deals), and saving on the TV may be in a range of few hundred dollars while saving on shoe may be in under $50. Check out - What to buy on Black Friday article to get more buying tips.
- If possible have a group of people, but everyone going to a different store. Each person going to any store may buy an item for everyone else in the group. Although for some doorbuster items, store offer one slip to person, so you may not be able to get more than one such item.
- Check Price Matching Policy of stores. Some stores offer price match so instead of standing in a queue you may just walk into a store with no or less queue and that offers a price match. (And yes, make sure that they have item in stock). Price Matching is always a tricky situation. Some stores may be kind enough to honor their words while other may NOT be. Some employee's and Managers are also reluctant to offer a price match.
- Buy in advance and get the price adjusted on Black Friday day. Again, Some store may or may not adjust the price. You may try return and re-purchase at Black Friday price on Black Friday. Again, some store may refuse to sell it back, stating that item has to go in first.
- Buy Only what you need. Many stores are strict on restocking fee which may range from 5-15%.This usually applies to big-ticket electronics & tech items.
- PARK SMART. Park in the parking lot of nearby another place where there is no sale. Walk to store. This way, you won't get stuck in a BIG queue of people coming in and out to the main store. - Get Dressed for winter Especially if you are in East coast or North. You don't want to catch a cold or get Sick while bargain hunting. It will kill the deal :)
- Shop Online. These day's most Black Friday items are available online as well. Check out Dealsofamerica.com for all online deals. This is one of the best and most frequently updated website on the web so you are sure to get all bargains there. With rising gas prices, sinking temperatures (harsh winter) and many online deals with Free Shipping Offers, Online Shopping is gaining ground.
- If you miss the deal, No problem! We highly recommend you to visit dealsofamerica.com every hour - throughout the year - as they have new deals every 30 minutes or so. You are likely to see black Friday like deals throughout the year. You can set a Keyword Alert for the item that you are looking for, as soon as they post that item you will receive an alert.
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