Black Friday is just around the corner, and it’s on track to be the biggest one ever. Last year, American retailers generated an eye-watering $7.9 billion in sales — an increase of 18 percent from 2016. If you want to grab a bargain on Friday, Nov. 23., you need to start preparing now. Plan ahead, and you could save thousands of dollars. Here are four ways to save cash this Black Friday.
1. Look for Coupon Codes Online
You’ve probably used coupon codes before. These vouchers let you save cash on a wide range of products, from computers to cat accessories. You can still use coupon codes on Black Friday — even when retailers have already discounted a product.
Don’t wait until Black Friday, though. Search for coupon codes online now and you could make huge savings on the biggest shopping day of the year.
Coupons.com and RetailMeNot are two of the biggest coupon websites online. On these sites, you can search for your favorite retailers and check out the latest offers ahead of time.
2. Set Up Online Accounts Now
Imagine this: You’ve found the ultimate bargain on your favorite retailer’s website, and you’re good to go. There’s a snag, though. You need to register for an account before you can check out. The registration process will only take you a couple of minutes, but it will stop you from searching for the best Black Friday deals on other websites.
Optimize your Black Friday experience by setting up online accounts with your favorite retailers now. Just remember to make a note of all your passwords!
Want to get awesome Black Friday discounts and save cash? Follow the three tips on this list. Searching for coupon codes online, getting up early on Nov. 23, visiting brick-and-mortar retailers, and setting up online accounts before the big day will make this your best Black Friday ever.
3. Get Up Early
Have an early night on Thanksgiving, because you’ll need to wake up early if you want to get the most from the Black Friday sales. Most retailers apply discounts to their products in the early morning, and savvy shoppers are quick to grab the best sale items.
Some heavily-reduced Black Friday products — large items like sofas, beds, and dining tables, in particular — can sell out in as little as an hour. This is why it’s a good idea to visit retailers as soon as you wake up on Nov. 23. You don’t have to switch on your laptop. Forty percent of shoppers on Black Friday 2017 purchased products from their mobile device.
Remember, the early bird gets the worm!
4. Visit Brick-and-Mortar Stores, Too
Not all Black Friday discounts are online. Brick-and-mortar stores also reduce their items, and you could save up to 90 percent on some products. After you’ve checked the sales online, head over to your local mall and see which discounts are worth your cash. If you see something you like, don’t hesitate. Other shoppers will probably seize the best Black Friday products before noon.
Visiting the mall won’t be a stress-free experience, though — expect big crowds and busy parking lots. Last Black Friday, millions of Americans visited brick-and-mortar retailers.
“For the second year in a row, Black Friday brick-and-mortar retail traffic held steady year-on-year, as ShopperTrak data shows a less than 1 percent decrease in shopper traffic numbers,” says Forbes magazine.