Shoppers hoping to get a good deal while ticking off their Christmas list early still have time before Black Friday weekend ends.
Originating in America, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are discount shopping days. They've been on the Kiwi shopping calendar for around six years, with retailers here tending to merge them into an extended Black Friday discount weekend, finishing on Monday.
The Warehouse, Spotlight, Briscoes, Noel Leeming, JB Hi-Fi and Farmers are among the retailers extending their Black Friday weekend discounts another day. Dressmart Onehunga spokesperson Linh Luong also confirmed a number of stores were offering Black Friday discounts until Monday night.
Retail NZ CEO Greg Harford said although Black Friday and Cyber Monday provide good deals for shoppers, discounts vary from retailer-to-retailer.
"Customers will be able to find great deals on both days...generally, the cheaper the prices are on offer, the less room there is for negotiation on big ticket items," Harford said.
But as the extended Black Friday weekend sales are a retail promotion designed to tempt shoppers, people shouldn't automatically assume prices are cheapest.
"Our advice is to check your Black Friday bargain really is a bargain. Before you buy, compare prices at other retailers to make sure another store isn't selling the item cheaper," Consumer NZ head of research Jessica Wilson said.
Budget-conscious shoppers can make a list and visit each retailer's website to compare prices before they shop. They can also use a comparison website. On Cyber Monday, PriceSpy shows the following items on-sale for $25 or less.
Cyber Monday: sample discounted items for under $25 (PriceSpy):
- Promate Clix 4 wireless usb mouse: from $13.94.
- Skullcandy jib earphones with microphone: from $14.00.
- Yeelight smart 1S WiFi white dimmable smart light bulb remote-enabled: from $15.
- Playstation 4 Fallout 76 (game): from $15.
- Revlon Fire and Ice edc 50ml: from $18.96.
- Remington D3190AU Aero 2000 hair dryer: from $19.
- Laura Mercier smooth finish flawless fluide 30ml: from $19.80.
- LED Lensor NEO head torch: from $19.98.
- Jam Audio Been There bluetooth wireless headphones: from $19.99.
- Lego Super Mario 71363 desert pokey expansion set: from $21.75.
For those who prefer to shop online, on Cyber Monday, Amazon.com is among those offering discounted shipping to New Zealand. As COVID-19 is causing delays, particularly in delivery of goods from overseas, shoppers are advised to check timing before they buy
Paymark data from last year shows spending over the three-day Black Friday weekend was $652 million. But those who miss out could also look for flash sales in the days leading up to Christmas, followed by the famous Boxing Day sale.
