It’s hard to believe that Black Friday is just a few short days away. This year, over 57 million shoppers are expected, which beats 2008 figures by 16%. With that added competition, we thought we’d offer a few suggestions to maximize your holiday shopping.
Many kids clothing stores will run Thanksgiving and Black Friday through Cyber Monday specials. Watch for our regular “Children’s Clothing Sales” blog post this Thursday — we’ll let you know where to shop for the best deals at major children’s clothing retail stores, both on and off line.
And, whether you’ll be shopping for kids clothes or for other items this Friday, you can still expect some great early bird discounts both on and off line - but don’t count on a plethora of merchandise to be available as has been the case in years past. Stores want to liquidate holiday merchandise by season’s end so be sure to pick up the definite items on your list. At the children’s retailers, we are already noticing many popular styles and sizes are sold out.
In our Black Friday Shopping Tips, Part I we will share a few shopping tips for surviving the in-store frenzy… for all items on your list.
Research online first. When you plan to shop Black Friday sales in stores, check the ads first either in the newspaper or by visiting their website (many are available now). Check blackfriday.com for advertisements to big box retailers like Toys R Us, Target and Sears. Doing a little research prior to your shopping trip will help you to compare prices at multiple retailers without the leg work and will help you prioritize which stores to visit first. Some retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City allow you to purchase online and pick up in stores.
Read the fine print. Be sure to read black Friday ads carefully and be aware of while supplies last, one per customer, no rainchecks and only 5 per store limitations. If an item is a great deal, chances are they will sell out fast. Many door buster deals are simply a way to entice you through the door hoping you will part with more of your dollars while you’re there. Be prepared that the item you seek may be sold out before you even get there.
Check store hours. To take advantage of door buster deals, it’s good to know what time to bust the doors down. You can start as early as midnight on Thanksgiving morning at Toys R Us, move to Old Navy which opens at 3 a.m. and have plenty of time to make to Macy’s at 5 a.m. when they open their doors. It sounds incredibly ambitious, but if you’re up for the challenge, retailers will be open for business. Visit bfads.com for a listing of store hours.
Make a list and check it twice! Shopping with all the crowds can be fun but it can also be overwhelming at times. It’s important to have that shopping list in hand to make sure you get everything you planned and in the correct size and color. It can also be a great tool to help avoid overspending. Check iblackfriday.com to create your shopping list while viewing ads from over 50 popular stores such as Macy’s, JC Penney and Kohl’s.
Have fun! It can be challenging (and exhilarating) bumping elbows in large crowds and waiting in long lines but remember the reason for your shopping excursion. It’s a time to celebrate. The holiday spirit can be contagious so why not be the one to spread the joy?
Have anything to add? Leave us a comment below and stay tuned for online tips in tomorrow’s blog, Black Friday Shopping Tips: Part II.
Loobalee.com: Where you can buy and sell your children’s clothing on-line and outfit your kids for virtually free
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