Retailers put out best offers for Black Friday sales with Australians set to fork out billions
Some of the nation’s biggest retailers have already started slashing prices on a range of products ahead of the major Black Friday shopping event that has now eclipsed the scale of Boxing Day sales.
Clothing, shoes and home technology are just some of the categories that will be in hot demand this month as frugal consumers increasingly hunt for bargains before Christmas.
Department store giant David Jones kicked off the sales event last week with early-bird deals on luggage, home and kitchen appliances from major brands Dyson, Breville and Tefal.
Camera IconDavid Jones will have Black Friday promotions across a wide range of products, like toys. Credit: Supplied
From today, shoppers will be able to save 25 per cent on full-priced toys. David Jones will continue to roll out fresh offers across its kids, clothing, footwear and accessories, and beauty departments between now and November 29.
Until December 8 shoppers will also be able to snag the cult-favourite KitchenAid stand mixer for $669, saving them $230.
“Black Friday is lasting longer and longer in Australia, it’s definitely not just that (four-day Black Friday/Cyber Monday) period in November it originally was meant to be,” said Liam Kennedy, spokesman for consumer group Choice.
“Last year, we saw sales starting from the middle of November . . . this year, we’ve seen it happen again, I’ve even seen some retailers start their sales in the first week of November.”
Global footwear and accessories brand Nine West is offering 30 per cent off full-priced items until Monday as part of its “Click Frenzy” promotion.
It will then offer $50 off full-priced shoes from Tuesday until November 27, before launching 40 per cent off storewide for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Mr Kennedy noted the prevalence of online shopping meant retailers now had flash sales more often throughout the year.
“Yes, consumers will be able to get some good deals on Black Friday this year, (but) they should keep their options open and not treat Black Friday as a be-all and end-all,” he said.
“Our advice is to really keep an eye on your favourite retailers by following them on social media or signing up to their email newsletters to get the inside scoop on when sales are starting.
“You might find the sales are just as good and on items that you’re more interested in at other times of the year.”
That warning notwithstanding, shoppers looking to update their wardrobe can score up to 30 per cent off full-priced styles from fashion label Forever New, while womenswear retailer Nude Lucy will offer a similar promotion on selected items.
Outdoor clothing brand Kathmandu will offer 50 per cent off its popular black puffer jackets, with early online access from Thursday and in stores from November 29. The offer will run until December 2.
Camera IconKathmand. Credit: Supplied/Facebook/TheWest
Electronics giant JB Hi-Fi will kick off what it calls its Black Friday blitz on Thursday with promotions on Dyson vacuums, Google tablets and watches, and the Sonos soundbar.
For half the original prices, shoppers will be able to pick up the Google Pixel Tablet 11 inch for $249 and the Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE for $263.
JB Hi-Fi Australia managing director Cameron Trainor said Black Friday was now the leading retail sales event, with more customers shopping on Black Friday than Boxing Day.
“Black Friday is the perfect time for customers looking to find great deals for themselves and get in early to buy Christmas gifts at crazy prices,” he said.
Mr Kennedy echoed Mr Trainor’s comments.
“Black Friday does arrive at a convenient time for Christmas shopping,” he said.
“It’s getting them just when they are starting to get interested in buying stuff (for Christmas).”
Retail expert Gary Mortimer said with shoppers really feeling the pinch this year, many would look for as many savings as possible given the pressures of the season.
“We still need to participate in Christmas because traditionally we buy presents and we gift for Christmas,” he said.
“Christmas is always an expensive time for families but if you plan, (if you) start to participate in some of these events that take place across November, generally you can get all of your Christmas shopping done.”
While liquor giant Dan Murphy’s did not reveal specific Black Friday promotions, its managing director Agi Pfeiffer-Smith said it would “make sure that we are very vigilant on what’s going on out there in the market and then making sure that we have the lowest prices”.
“We expect some of the gifting lines to be pretty popular, as well as some of the more traditional favourites on what you might be having in your pre-Christmas barbecue or in your friends-mas,” she said.
“There’s definitely an opportunity for people to think about what’s of value, so we’re seeing a lot of gravitation to bigger pack sizes.”
Swedish home furnishings giant Ikea will offer members up to 40 per cent off across mattresses, beds, sheets and drawers from November 29 to December 2.
Global e-commerce company eBay will also have deals encompassing major tech brands Microsoft, Apple and Nintendo.
Even supermarket giant Coles revealed it was participating in the sales event, kicking off what it said was its biggest Black Friday event, which will run for three weeks.
Grocery shoppers will be able to shop more than 1000 online-only promotions, with savings of up to 50 per cent in time for Christmas and summer.
Camera IconForever New. Credit: Supplied
Kmart and Target have confirmed they will have Black Friday promotions but declined to give specifics just yet.
While Black Friday has grown rapidly in Australia, it’s still not on the same level as in its originating country, the US, where shoppers camp out in front of shopping centres as early as two days before the sales event.
Designed to capitalise on the national Thanksgiving holiday, US Black Friday sales are expected to top $US10 billion ($15.4b) this year — an increase of 7 per cent compared to last year — in just the four traditional days of the sales period.
Meanwhile, the Australian Retailers Association estimates shoppers to spend a record $6.7b over the four-day blitz.
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