Do sales influence when you start your festive season shopping?
Posted by: Anonymous
12th Dec 2019 03:10pm
We asked our Cafestudy community to discuss when they thought it was too early to start shopping for Christmas and whether they take advantage of Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Boxing Day sales.
Black Friday is the name given to the day after Thanksgiving, which is held on the fourth Thursday in November. It was first coined “Black Friday” in 1950’s Philadelphia to describe the chaos following Thanksgiving, with many people flocking into the city for the annual Army v Navy college football match. Cyber Monday, which is held on the following Monday, was made to encourage Black Friday consumers to buy online.
American shopping holidays seem to be gaining popularity in Australia. According to Auspost, online sales from 25th November to 1st December grew 28.7% YOY from 2017 to 2018 - the biggest online shopping week in Australia’s history. Our Cafestudy members detailed how they were taking advantage of these sales to get a head start on their Christmas shopping.
“Sometimes there are specific things I've been waiting to come on sale and most stuff will on Black Friday. It also prompts me to buy things I hadn't planned on buying but can't resist such a good sale.”
“I do take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales…the further I can make my dollar stretch, the better.”
“As we 'speak' I'm doing the Black Friday thing for the first time ever in the hope of finding just the 'right thing' for people on my list and if I save money in the process then that's great.”
“It’s particularly easy to justify purchases at this time of the year - and that’s precisely why marketers strategically target consumers during the holidays.”
"Sales are the best time to buy gifts for either yourself or others as the prices are slashed and you can grab some great deals.”
There were, however, some members who didn’t buy into the hype of the sales.
“Sales do not influence my shopping. I won't allow myself to be swayed by marketing that is aimed at sending me out to buy things I neither want nor need.”
“Sales don’t encourage me to buy. A relative once said to me ‘sales items are just the stuff leftover that nobody else wants’ and that’s always stuck in my mind.”
Cafestudy members informed us of when they thought it was too early to start Christmas shopping, with the majority agreeing that it is. in fact, never too early to start shopping.
“I think it's never too early for Christmas shopping. The sooner I start, the better.”
”I like to think that I can outsmart marketing but who am I kidding I made two late night online purchases on items I’ve had my eyes on!”
There were however, some Cafestudy members that begged to differ.
“I think ‘too early’ is when people go to the Boxing Day sales and start purchasing gifts for the following Christmas. The last thing I want to think about once Christmas is over is planning the next one.”
Technology has allowed for us to be able to take part in American sales such as Cyber Monday or Black Friday, with some Australian companies even deciding to take part in offering heavy discounts. As cost of living prices continue to increase, consumers need to be able to get as much value out of their purchases in order to save a little money during such an expensive time of the year.
Comments 7
nicko76
i always love a good deal when i can get one. last year i saved about 1800-00 on some suits that i brought on line ..i love a good deal....
wendel
Not really. I enjoy looking for bargains on line when shopping for presents, so they can be delivered, as I cannot get to see all my family.
morgan31981242
I am more influenced to buy holiday products when they go on sale. I will generally store them for the next year. The chaos of holiday sales will deter me from buying regardless of the deal being offered.
margaretjulia
I shop for both Christmas and Birthday gifts all year round. I look for quality gifts that are well priced so that means a price reduction for whatever reason. August is a deadline for overseas daughter and her family as they live in budapest Hungary. Sent for 2 years and have been there for 8. However we have also had lovely holidays there, white Christmas and babysitting in Austrian ski fields over Christmas.
PGS
No difference at all. Most often 'sale prices' were hiked to discount.
We don't do xmas presents, so it matters less.
Femmiey
Yes sales do influence my festive season shopping. I tend to take advantage of Black friday and Cyber-monday which happens during festive period
lisasimson
Black Friday doesn't influence all my shopping for Christmas.. Maybe one or two things that stand out, but other I prefer just to buy closer to Christmas, and buy stuff on sale then.