WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY?
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With just over a week to go until Black Friday and Cyber Monday, savvy shoppers will be asking themselves what differentiates the two retail holidays, and how they can get the best deals possible this year.
Luckily, experts at leading price comparison site money.co.uk are here to lead you through the entire weekend, and provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to get ahead of one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
James Andrews, Senior Personal Finance Editor at money.co.uk, said: “Cyber Monday and Black Friday have very different beginnings, but have ended up on either sides of the same weekend.
“Traditionally, Cyber Monday was the first Monday after your last payday before Christmas – a day when people tended to take advantage of full bank accounts to do their shopping online. It described what people did, rather than something retailers offered.
“Black Friday started in the USA further back – with Thanksgiving on the third Thursday in November, the day after it became a huge sales event and shops started offering discounts to draw people in. Soon, the sales became the driving fact, with people holding off on shopping until they saw the discounts, and bigger and bigger offers to get people spending.
“A few years back, Asda – having been taken over by US retail giant Walmart – decided to launch Black Friday sales in the UK too and Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined to become different sides of the same weekend.
“However, retailers now understand that shoppers are looking for deals wherever they can get them across the entire weekend, not only in one place or the other, so you will enjoy massive savings both online and on the high street on both days, as well as throughout the year.
“Considering the similarity of both sales, the tips and tricks for you to get ahead next week remain the same. Planning ahead of the big day on Friday, November 26, is vital if you want to pick up some real savings.
“If you are going to land a deal, don’t go in blind. First, make a wish list and note the current price of the items you want. This will prevent you from buying things you don’t need just because they’re on sale. If you’re shopping for Christmas, your list should establish who you’re buying for and how much you’re willing to spend on them.
“Once you have your wish list, you can set a budget. Don’t just browse the shops on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and buy what strikes your fancy, instead adopt a strategic approach. If you like something that’s not on your list, only buy it if you’re willing to cut something else from your budget.
“When it comes to planning for the weekend overall, the early bird catches the worm. Most retailers will announce deals from midnight the Thursday before, while some deals can appear even earlier in the week.
“If you want to succeed, set your alarm clock and get up early to bag yourself a bargain. What’s more, make sure to add yourself to the mailing lists of major retailers. As well as getting exclusive deals, some will also offer you a discount code for signing up (you can always unsubscribe later).
“In terms of what other items to look out for, history tells us that certain items get steeper discounts than others. Large screen TVs can be a good purchase, but be warned, the biggest discounts are usually on mid-range TVs, rather than premium sets.
“Remember that there will still be bargains on the high street on Cyber Monday, not only online, so don’t be afraid to get out and about to look for the item you’re after. Shops will stock up on items to meet demand all weekend long, so you won’t necessarily have missed out just because you stayed at home or went to work on the Friday.
“Other good options include older generation tablets and laptops, video game console bundles with extra additions such as games and controllers, smart home devices, headphones and home appliances. But don’t be fooled into buying electrical items for the sake of it, if your current product works well, then you probably don’t need to splash the cash.
“More affordable items can also prove a wise buy. Dishwasher tablets and batteries, for example, are frequently discounted. It’s easy to do a quick check to see if the Black Friday or Cyber Monday price really is cheap, and if it is, then you can save on something that will last you all year. L
