How‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌the‌ ‌best‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Friday‌ ‌Deals‌ ‌in‌ ‌2020,‌ ‌and‌ ‌Cyber‌ ‌Monday,‌ ‌too‌ ‌

Waiting for a great Black Friday sale? There’s no need: It’s already underway. This is the most obvious shopping trend for 2020’s pandemic-pinched holiday shopping season. In fact, some retailers began lowering prices in October to tease out customers earlier.

Black Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday, November 30, are traditionally the two biggest shopping days of the calendar year. And although many retailers are uncertain how they are going to roll out this year, a Retail Council of Canada survey found that 50% of Canadians plan to spend the same in 2020 as they did last year, and spend a good chunk of their holiday budgets on Black Friday (37%) and Cyber Monday (25%).

Retailers have started early, and also made adjustments to clear the path for a safe and pleasant experience shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Stores are driving shoppers online wherever possible, to avoid the crowds they typically see in-store on Black Friday. Early deals also help avoid shipping delays later on. They are also extending Black Friday 2020 deals well through Cyber Monday and beyond. Retailers are listening to customers who want curbside pickup and delivery. Over 25% of Canadians say buying online or picking up in-store or curbside is more important than other years, given the current situation with COVID-19.

Photo credit: Andrey Solovev

Here are a few ways to make Black Friday and Cyber Monday more productive:

1. Read Black Friday ads in advance so you know what’s out there and where. Sign up for emails from stores you’re considering, to get early notice of their great deals.
2. Prioritize your shopping list, putting the must-find items at the top. Always have two items in mind for a recipient—a Plan B.
3. Shop with a friend. This not only gives you some company, but the two of you can also split the store in two, combing different sections at the same time. Obviously, you have to share your list, so be sure this person is not on it!
4. Talk to people in line. This will net you insider info on deals offered in other stores—or in an aisle you skipped.
5. Buy it while you can. There’s no point in waiting if you find a good deal, hoping for a better one.

Plan for the usual gift suspects this year: a smart TV, laptops, and kitchen appliances. Tech folk will be panting for Apple AirPods Pro headphones, the Apple Watch Series 6, and any type of smart home gadgets. And don’t forget the gamers on your list: Nintendo Switch and the Xbox Series X will be hot holiday gift buys through Cyber Monday 2020. Keep an eye out for video games, tools, and home improvement items, Instant Pots and coffee makers, mattresses, and Christmas decorations.

When holiday shopping this year, remember our home-grown success stories, such as Roots, Sport Check, Indigo, The Source, Hudson’s Bay, and Lululemon. Spending your money on Canadian products is a smart buy, given how so many retail businesses are currently struggling.

Not only are Canadians bent on buying Canadian, they’re also shopping locally. The Retail Council survey also found that more than 90% of Canadians think shopping locally is of utmost importance this holiday season.

When you shop in your own neighbourhood, you support its unique dynamic and keep your money in the community. Local shoppers also help support the neighbours themselves, who operate businesses down the street. Shopping locally, even online, is the greatest gift you could give to merchants near you. What if your favourite shop is sold out of your desired item? Grab a gift card, or two, for use when the holiday rush is over.

The real 2020 trend surprise may not be a surprise to you at all: Canadians are spending 25% of their holiday spending budgets on treating themselves. What will you buy for yourself on Black Friday or Cyber Monday this year?