Like nearly everything else in 2020, holiday shopping this year will be anything but typical. Fueled by changes in customer preferences and economic situations, as well as a global pandemic, retailers will be adjusting best serve their customers. For starters, shopping will start earlier. Most years, the unofficial start of holiday shopping is Black Friday, but this year, it has already begun in mid-October. Instead of waiting until stores are crowded in mid-December, shopping early allows customers to be more socially distant and safe. Furthermore, most of the holiday sales will move online.
Due to the pandemic, the 2020 holiday shopping season will feature predominately online shopping. Many areas still have COVID-19 restrictions in place that limit the capacity and hours of stores, and the impending flu season and cold weather could lead to an increase in cases. Some estimates put holiday e-commerce sales growing up to 35% this year. This year, the Black Friday deals that are usually reserved for in-store shopping will appear online during the month. Nearly 51% of shoppers feel anxious about shopping in-store during the holidays and 64% of their budget is expected to be spent online. Those who are brave (or crazy) enough to hit the stores on Black Friday will notice enhanced safety protocols and capacity controls. Ideally, you should instead do holiday shopping on Cyber Monday.
This year, Cyber Monday falls on November 30, 2020. Cyber Monday is the Monday after Black Friday (and the first Monday after Thanksgiving), which marks the official start of the holiday shopping season. Look out for deals at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and more, along with sales at smaller brands and businesses looking to get on your radar. There might be a few discounts on Apple products; smart TVs; gaming and toys; smart home products, including home security and smart lights; vacuums, including Dyson and Roomba; Instant Pots and other kitchen essentials; and apparel from top brands like Adidas, Kate Spade and Cole Haan — just to name a few categories. It cannot hurt to bookmark the sites of your favorite retailers and check back often to see if new promos have gone live. To help control the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keep you and your loved ones save, shopping for deals online rather than in person is advised.
Happy Holidays!
-Isaiah Simpson
Educated Spending 