Black Friday 2023 – how to grab a bargain

It’s been 10 years since the first Australian Black Friday, but it feels like it’s been a highlight of the retail calendar forever. With huge discounts to be had on fashion, tech, appliances and more, it’s the perfect time to pull the trigger on that new handbag/TV/washing machine you’ve been promising yourself for ages.

But while it’s easy enough to make a money-saving purchase, snagging the very best deals requires a little strategy and know-how.

Here’s how to get the most out of the 2023 Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday began in the United States. Held on the Friday after Thanksgiving, it’s been regarded as the start of the Christmas shopping season in America since the early 1950s, although use of the term ‘Black Friday’ didn’t become widespread until the late 1980s.

The first Australian Black Friday took place in 2013, with last year’s sales directly responsible for retail turnover reaching record highs.

According to Ben Dorber, ABS head of retail statistics, “While we typically see a rise in spending around Black Friday sales, the strong seasonally adjusted rise in November 2022 shows that the effect is increasing over time, as the event has become more common across retailers and sales periods become longer.”

What is Cyber Monday?

Held on the Monday after Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday was conceived in the early 2000s as a way to encourage people to do their Christmas shopping online. Of course, that’s hardly necessary these days, so Cyber Monday has effectively morphed into an extension of Black Friday, meaning shoppers can look forward to four days of bargains.

When is Black Friday 2023?

While some retailers begin rolling out a selection of discounts up to a week in advance, official Black Friday deals will be available from midnight (12am) AEDT on Friday November 24, 2023.

Which retailers should you keep an eye on?

While the best Black Friday deals traditionally come from tech and electronics giants such as JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Bing Lee, everyone from Target to Rebel Sport to Bunnings is in on the act these days. In short, it’s worth checking out all your favourite brands and retailers as the chances are there’ll be some major bargains to be had.

Having said this, Amazon deserves a particular mention, both for the sheer variety of its product range and the unbeatable bargains it puts out for Black Friday. Last year, for example, customers could get up to 50% off prestige items like Garmin smartwatches, HP and Lenovo laptops, and Samsung tablets.

What about overseas retailers?

Black Friday is a global event, so there’s no need to restrict yourself to Aussie brands and retailers. If you’ve seen an overseas deal that takes your fancy and they ship Down Under, you’re good to go!

Just two things to be aware of here. Don’t forget about the time difference or you could miss out. And if you don’t fancy paying more than you have to, make sure you’re using a card which refunds international transaction fees.

Tips and tricks to grab the best Black Friday bargains

When it comes to major purchases of any kind, it’s always worth working out in advance exactly what you’re looking for, so you don’t end up being seduced by a bargain that doesn’t meet your needs. It’s also a good idea to set yourself a realistic budget (and stick to it!). These two simple steps will ensure you won’t go too far wrong.

Here are five more tips to maximise your chances of landing a truly great deal:

• Many stores have dedicated Black Friday webpages. Make sure you bookmark these and sign up for any email or SMS alerts to stay in the know.
• Some retailers post Black Friday deals up to a week in advance of the big day. These generally receive less attention, meaning you’ve more chance of grabbing a bargain before it sells out.
• Try not to let messages like ‘last few left’ or ‘limited supply’ rush you into making a purchase. Creating a false sense of urgency is a well-known retail trick. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s now or never.
• When your Black Friday bargain arrives, it’s a good idea to keep it in its original packaging until the sales are completely over. If you see what you’ve bought for a better price elsewhere, you can always return it. Just beware, however, that some retailers charge for sending items back.
• Consider signing up for Amazon Prime if the idea of exclusive members-only offers and free shipping appeals. You can always sign up for a free trial, do your Black Friday shopping, and cancel before the trial ends if you don’t feel it’s right for you.

Happy shopping!