A retail expert has warned shoppers about the “fatal mistake” many make during Black Friday sales by assuming they’re getting the best possible deal.
Speaking on GB News, Clare Bailey highlighted how the Which Report revealed many products have actually been cheaper at other times of the year.
GB News host Isabel Webster said: “I’m not massively into a sale, I have to be honest. But my husband is, if anything has ‘sale’ written on it he’s there.
“He just doesn’t do the maths necessarily, he just goes ‘it’s a deal I will have it’.”
Clare Bailey warned shoppers about the “fatal mistake” many make during Black Friday sales
GB News
Retail Champion Clare Bailey responded: “I think that’s the fatal mistake that anybody can make about Black Friday, to be honest.
“Because like you rightly say, the Which Report has revealed that a lot of these products have been cheaper at other times of the year.
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“The problem is they’re really unlikely to be cheaper between now and Christmas. And that’s the crux of this.
“If you want to get something for a better price as a Christmas gift or in time for Christmas, now would be that time.
“There is a strong possibility it could be cheaper still in the Boxing Day sales, but for people who want to buy for gift giving and want to have it in advance, this would probably be the best opportunity.
“So it’s not so much that it isn’t a deal, it’s that it could have been cheaper at another time and unfortunately, you missed the boat.
Black Friday is a blockbuster shopping event that originated in the USA
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“I think that’s the message people need to remember that if they can wait, if they can do their research and if it’s not something they’re desperate for, then don’t buy it. “
Black Friday, falling on November 29, 2024, marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season.
The day follows Thanksgiving in the United States, which occurs on the fourth Thursday of November.
The term Black Friday historically referred to the point when retailers moved from operating at a loss (“in the red”) to turning a profit (“in the black”).
Isabel explained that her husband loves a deal
GB News
It has since evolved into a global shopping phenomenon, characterised by significant discounts and promotions.
Retailers use this period to stimulate early holiday spending and clear inventory ahead of the festive season.
The day typically sees stores opening early, with eager shoppers sometimes camping outside to secure the best deals.
What began as an American tradition has now gained worldwide popularity, with retailers competing to offer attractive deals both in stores and online.