Shopping Tips & Tricks to Make the Most of Black Friday 2024
As you probably already know, Black Friday is one of the most significant sale periods in the UK and is often hotly anticipated by savvy shoppers who love a bargain. Retailers, stores and e-boutiques slash their prices, resulting in dream discounts, jaw-dropping savings, and a shopper's paradise that simultaneously spans the high street and pervades the world wide web! Sparking shopping euphoria year in year out, this key date provides the perfect opportunity to buy whatever you want, for a fraction of the normal price. And when times are tough, smaller-than-usual price tags can be incredibly alluring, and wallet-friendly purchases exactly what you need. But, when everything seems to be a good deal, it's hard to decipher what's really worth your money... The flip side to Black Friday is that along with the head-spinning deals often comes confusion, panic and impulse buying. So, to save you from getting overwhelmed, shopping inefficiently or splurging unwisely, we've decided to draw up a list of tips and tricks to help you keep your head screwed on and successfully navigate this year's Black Friday sales. Want to get clued up? Then keep on reading...
Black Friday: why is it called that and what's its meaning?
For a bit of context before we begin offering any advice, let's dive briefly into the history of Black Friday. Contrary to popular opinion, its meaning is essentially twofold and doesn't relate to profit ('being in the black'). In the United States, Black Friday is the name given to the day that follows Thanksgiving (which is always on the fourth Thursday in November). A bit like the UK's Boxing Day, this day is notorious for big reductions from retailers, but also simultaneously marks the start of the holiday shopping season. Historically, it was also a difficult day as workers would generally skip work to extend their holiday weekend. Completely unrelated, Black Friday also has its roots in the term used to coin a day of financial loss and economic distress. 1869 saw the first Black Friday, when the United State's market collapsed, provoked by two investors trying to corner the gold market.
Black Friday is therefore a bit of an ambiguous term, carrying both positive and negative connotations that don't necessarily have lots to do with the present-day event experienced in the UK. Thankfully nowadays – whatever the financial landscape – Black Friday as we know it offers an opportunity to save some pennies and, for some, to get into the Christmas spirit early by buying their gifts at a discounted rate. What' s more, this sale period is no longer specific to the United States, but has become a bit of a phenomenon across the globe.
When's Black Friday in the UK again and how long does it last? Mark the date in your diary!
Tip 1 - save the date! An annual occurrence, this year Black Friday is on the 29th November. So if you've not already done so, take mental note of the date or scribble it on the calendar – it's one you won't want to forget! Having the date at the forefront of your mind will help you to hold off on some purchases, so that you can reap the reward of a discounted price come late November. Although traditionally Black Friday sales were limited to the day itself, over recent years they've morphed into a week-long (or more) event of extended price cuts. These days, sales often begin well in advance (sometimes even from early November) with brands dropping their prices in the run up to actual Black Friday and finishing off the week in which it falls with a bang, in the form of further markdowns. So, if you want to benefit from great Black Friday deals, keep your eyes peeled days or even weeks beforehand. By saving the date, you really can put yourself in the right place, at the right time, whether physically or virtually!
Draw up a shopping list so you can hit the (extended) sales with a game plan and find the best offers
Plan, plan, plan... That's our ultimate shopping hack for tackling Black Friday head on. We suggest drawing up a list of the essential items that you want to get your hands on, whether it's just one special item – like a quality parka for instance – three, five or 15. As a side note, investing in marked-down multipacks is a great way to increase your purchases without going off track from your list. If you've got a clear plan of action in mind, there's a good chance you'll be able to follow through with your shopping agenda confusion-free, and bag the bargains that really matter to you. Limiting your list to select items will also stop you from getting your head turned by other attractive offers that, though tempting, you don't really require. Equally, it will save you bags of time!
When drawing up your shopping list, it's worth reflecting on what you want, and what you need. This will help you prioritise items. When it comes to clothes purchases, here are some prime questions that you might want to consider: do I have adequate clothing for the upcoming season, including outerwear and quality winter accessories, such as hats and gloves? Do I have sufficient wardrobe basics, such as underwear, footwear and jeans, or shirts for those frequent smart-casual occasions? Am I headed on any adventures any time soon that require specific gear? Do I have the clothing to perform the recreational activities that I currently enjoy, or that I want to take up? Are there any statement items that I really wish I had, or is my wardrobe lacking anything in particular? Answering these questions will help you find gaps in your personal clothing collection, and consequently pin down the essentials worth investing in. Often, the items that bring the most satisfaction are either those that we really love in terms of style, that make us look and/or feel good, or those that fulfil a function, satisfying a practical need and simplifying our daily life. These reflections aren't just limited to clothing... Whether you're on the lookout for electronics, kitchen equipment, furniture or anything else under the sun this Black Friday, asking yourself similar types of questions and applying the same sort of logic can be helpful in narrowing down your choices.
Give yourself a budget
Another benefit of drafting a Black Friday wishlist is that you'll be better able to control your spending. It's not rocket science, but avoiding unnecessary purchases will save you from unnecessary expenses too. People often forgo this important step, and the consequences can be brutal... Setting a firm budget for your Black Friday expenditures can also be very beneficial. You can either set a budget for each individual item on your list, or instead attribute a budget to your total spend to give yourself a little extra wiggle room. Just make sure when fixing a price that your budgets remain realistic but lean towards optimistic (if you don't expect a good bargain you won't look hard enough to find one, but at the same time it's important to do your research and accept what the going rate really is). Building flexibility into your budget is also key, not only to adapt to what's available but also to give yourself a wider array of choice. Lastly, having a clear vision of your finances and what you can actually afford is likewise important. With a budget in place, you can shop risk-free, discern good offers from average offers, be savvy in snapping up items at lower prices, and potentially even allow yourself to be swayed by an extra special something that's truly too-good-to-miss, if (and only if) you know your finances can absorb it.
Move quick, or hold out for Cyber Monday deals
It's not particularly surprising to say that Black Friday deals get snapped up fast. The popular phrase 'the early bird catches the worm' rings true – if you're ready and on the lookout before everyone else gets involved, chances are you'll pick up some of the more desirable bargains, and you'll undoubtedly benefit from a wider range of choice. If you're a little slow off the mark, you simply have to accept that some great offers may have already passed you by. However, don't dismay! Not only are good offers available in the prolonged run up to Black Friday itself, but Cyber Monday is just around the corner – so all is not lost! Cyber Monday directly follows Black Friday weekend, and relates to price knockdowns exclusively online.
What are the best ways to benefit from Black Friday sales? Now you know!
So there you have it – our insider info about how best to shop this year's Black Friday sales. In summary, you simply need to: keep the date at the forefront of your mind, stay on alert so that you're ready to pounce on any great offers that arise, carefully compile a selective wishlist (informed by your answers to a few key questions) and fix yourself a budget. If you hold fast to our guidance, you should be all set for shopping success! Without further ado, pocket our practical tips and tricks and get ready to embrace Black Friday. You can even pick up a bargain right here... Just like many other brands and retailers, Atlas For Men intend to get in on the action. You won't want to miss our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, so keep tabs on our site and get geared up to shop even better savings than usual.