Tech, fashion, home: the best Black Friday deals need a game plan
As someone with a fair amount of shopping experience, here's a bit of free advice: there's a difference - galaxies worth, I'd argue - between "going to the shops" and "going shopping".
Ginger & Smart is one of many Australian fashion brands offering Black Friday deals.
The former is a leisure activity, often done without a clear purpose, and an oat latte. Conversely, when it comes to succeeding at the Black Friday sales, which kick off this weekend (or earlier, in many cases) and go until "Cyber Monday" (November 30), you are only interested in the latter. And to get the best bargains, you need a game plan.
Black Friday is a US construct, borne from the day after Thanksgiving that Americans would traditionally take off to give themselves a four-day weekend. For about 10 years, the event has grown in Australia and now rivals Boxing Day for both overall spend and depth of discounts, which can range from 10 per cent to more than 60 per cent.
Many brands are already offering Black Friday discounts, while others will roll them out as the week progresses, so it's worth asking yourself two things: is the additional Black Friday discount worth the wait, and do I need to prioritise 40 per cent off at a retailer that offers regular 30 per cent discounts?
Personal stylist Penelope Cadzow says prioritise the brands that hardly go on sale, including luxury labels. But, she warns that sometimes "brands are cheeky and bring out old stock to sell at heavily discounted prices" that didn't sell or fit well the first (or third) time around.
Still, don't let "sales fatigue" put you off, says Kate Browne, managing editor at consumer website finder.com.au. She says Black Friday is "one of the last opportunities to get heavily discounted goods before Christmas", as retailers will revert to full prices the closer it gets to December 25.
Stock up on bubbles now, put it away for Christmas (if you can).Credit:iStock
Start by making a plan. List five things you need and five things you want, including potential brands. Make sure you subscribe to their newsletters (you can always unsubscribe later), which can sometimes grant early access to discounts, and their social media. On budget, settle on a total and keep track of spending. And if you're using a payment service like PayPal or Klarna, create an account ahead of time, and read the fine print on fees. Basically, you want to avoid any irritating "admin" when you are focused on the shopping (the fun part).
Browne says some of the best deals this year will include small appliances and tech, alcohol, homewares and fashion.
When deciding on an item, consider whether it's more important to save money, or have the latest model. As an example, Browne says Dyson often discounts earlier models of its stick vacuum on Black Friday. She says the biggest difference between, say, versions eight and 11 is the battery life. So if you have a small apartment, maybe the saving is more important? Equally, says Browne, buying an older model phone or laptop may have more serious implications in terms of performance. Only you can decide.
If working from home is your norm, you need good sound.
When it comes to buying fashion, focus on staples but don't dismiss an amazing piece, says stylist Coco Louise. "If the statement piece has quality and can be worn with several pieces of clothing in your wardrobe and you know it is a bargain, grab it! This is your chance to indulge."
Here's some of the best deals we've spotted, by category.
Work-from-home(rs): Ditch the instant for a Nespresso, which is offering an extra 10 per cent off Vertuo Aeroccino3 bundles, plus savings on capsules. Need headphones? Catch has $74 off Apple AirPods Pro (down to $325) and the latest Bose Quiet Comfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones for $468. If it's a phone case you're after, head to Maison de Sabre for 40 per cent off. Bang & Olufsen is also promising up to 60 per cent off.
Make a staycation feel five star with new sheets.
Entertainers: Sheets and towels need a reboot? Sheridan (40 per cent) Country Road (20 per cent) are both sure bets, while The Sheet Society is dropping prices on its luxe linen bedding by 15 per cent.
Fashion-lovers: There are too many deals to mention but some goodies include Mara and Mine shoes (35 per cent), Viktoria & Woods (25 per cent), Andie Swim (up to 75 per cent), Hugo Boss (up to 40 per cent), Bally (up to 50 per cent), Manning Cartell (up to 30 per cent), Ginger & Smart (30 per cent, excluding resort), Witchery (20 per cent), Alix Yang jewellery (30 per cent), Bassike (30 per cent), Reliquia Jewellery (30 per cent) and up to 50 per cent plus free shipping at Net-a-Porter and David Jones.
Fitness fanatics: Let's face it, all of us could use some fresh leggings for 2021. The Upside has 30 per cent off spring-summer, and up to 60 per cent off older styles, while Jaggad has up to 50 per cent for more than 30 styles. Bing Lee also has great deals on Theragun massage guns (up to $150 off). And for shoes, Reebok has 30 per cent off new styles.
Staple stockers: It mightn't be the sexiest buy but it's the best time to replenish your undies and socks at Boody (20 per cent) and Calvin Klein Underwear (40 per cent).
Beauty bounty-hunters: Upgrade your tools at Cloud Nine ($40 off) and Dyson, which will release deals closer to Black Friday. More of a multi-brand shopper? Sephora has 15 per cent off everything (20 per cent if you spend over $120), except Dyson. Mecca, whose new Sydney flagship opens on Friday, has bundle kits with savings of up to $50. Some of the best make-up deals are at Morphe (40 per cent) and Charlotte Tilbury (30 per cent off trios; more deals to be announced).
Dyson is expected to offer great deals on its beauty tools.
Pay-it-backers: Of course, not every brand believes in discounts, so if you'd prefer to pay it forward, try Assembly Label, which is giving 100 per cent of sales to children's charity Curing Homesickness. Meanwhile, shoe brand Allbirds will raise prices by $1 to support activist Greta Thunberg's youth-led climate movement Fridays for Future. While others are taking a more sustainable approach, including pre-loved fashion app Vestiaire Collective which is offering up to 50 per cent off brands like Stella McCartney with a percentage of sales donated to support women's rights.
Deals are current as of November 23. Check back through the week as we add more specials to the list.
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Melissa Singer is National Fashion Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.