Black Friday is a great time to shop for apparel at low prices. However, it’s important to prioritize your spending and set a budget before you start shopping.
It’s also helpful to check out retailers’ price-match and return policies in advance. This will help you avoid overspending. In addition, you should also consider whether the items you want are truly worth the purchase.
Start Early
Many retailers offer early-bird specials, and the best deals sell out quickly. Online shoppers can mitigate the risk of missing out by setting their carts up in advance, and they should also clear their cookies or shop in an incognito window when purchasing so that they’re not penalized for being frequent customers (some websites use this tactic to assume customers won’t buy no matter the price).
Some retailers offer Black Friday sales on all their products, including appliances, tools and furniture.
Keep an eye out for the brands you love and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook—they might share coupon codes, sale previews or other exclusive offers on these platforms before they’re announced in their printed ads. Then, you can hone your shopping list and avoid impulse purchases. You can save time and money by purchasing discounted e-gift cards and coupons ahead of the Black Friday rush through resources like RetailMeNot, These retailers buy legit, unwanted gift cards and sell them at a discount to consumers.
Shop Online
Whether you’re looking for gifts for the women on your holiday list or a cozy new pair of winter pants for yourself, this year’s Black Friday sales offer a wide selection of must-have clothing items. But how can you know what pieces are worth snagging before the rush? To help, we’re rounding up the best Black Friday apparel deals on some of our favorite brands.
Several retailers have started their Black Friday sales early this year. Nordstrom, for instance, has slashed prices on everything from bestselling high-waisted jeans and soft pajamas to the season’s hottest shapewear and laptop bags. Meanwhile, other retailers offer similar deals on wardrobe staples, including cashmere sweaters and wool coats.
Another great option is to shop for Black Friday clothing online. This way, you can avoid the madness that often accompanies in-store shopping. Instead, you can browse your favorite shops’ websites and find the deals that suit your budget. Many e-retailers also use smart merchandising to highlight the best offers. This includes displaying them in a highly visible location on the homepage and using hero images and banners.
You can also send an SMS campaign to alert your customers about your Black Friday deals. While this might seem old-school, it’s an effective way to reach a large audience in a short amount of time. You can also use this strategy to follow up with people who visit your site but have yet to make a purchase.
Keep an Eye on Your Budget
When shopping for Black Friday deals, keeping your eye on your budget is important. It’s easy to buy more than planned — especially amid all those discounts and sales. Before hitting the store or hopping online, list all the gifts you plan to buy for others and yourself (or just what you want to get for yourself). This can help you stay focused and stick to your budget.
In addition to a firm gift-buying plan, consider making a price point list for each item on your wishlist. This way, you can compare prices and determine whether or not a discount is a deal. In the weeks and months leading up to Black Friday, set price alerts for exact-match or similar items on your wishlist and watch how — or whether — they change in price. This will help you spot suspicious pre-holiday price spikes and avoid falling for gimmicks disguised as sales.
It’s also worth taking note of whether or not a product you’re considering is listed as a “final sale.” This designation typically means that the item can’t be returned, and it could sting you with a 15% or more restocking fee if you change your mind. So, if you’re tempted to buy that new T.V. or cozy sweater, think twice before adding it to your cart and check out.
Be Mindful of the Brand
When shopping for Black Friday deals, it’s important to remember that just because an item is marked down doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good deal. Many retailers discount products to move them off the shelves, resulting in older technology or a product that doesn’t meet your specific needs.
It’s also important to check out a retailer’s price match and return policies. These policies can help you avoid paying full price for an item if it’s cheaper later in the season. Thankfully, most stores offer these options.
If you’re looking for the best deals on apparel during Black Friday, it’s worth looking at various retailers. Each brand has a unique approach to Black Friday, with some opting for more festive visuals while others keep things simple and focus on the deal.
For example, a slow fashion brand opted for a holiday-themed website with a sitewide sale and promo code. In contrast, fashion retailer Asos kept it classy with a traditional color palette and focused on the sitewide sale.
Another way to stay on top of Black Friday deals is to follow your favorite retailers on social media. Many brands use social channels to share exclusive offers and alert their followers of new sales. You can also sign up to receive email or text alerts from your loved brands.
