Black Friday 2020 will most certainly be like no other. With the global economy hit with a historic slump in jobs, corporations have been forced to adopt a new approach to making the best out of the one day where deals matter the most.
On what day is Black Friday this year?
For the most part, South Africa has restored some normalcy to life at Alert Level 1. Shopping malls are seeing a bit more traffic than usual and retail spending appears to be on the increase.
Perhaps, the great mark of improvement in retail will be scrutinised when the numbers are tallied up the day after Black Friday which, in 2020, falls on Friday 27 November.
Already, major retail outlets have pre-empted the biggest single-day sales incentive of the year with month-long promotions.
With all these discounted prices thrown at us from all angles, it can get a little overwhelming trying to focus on the things that matter the most.
We all have a wishlist of things we would like to purchase and Black Friday — despite the obvious con — does offer an opportunity to get these at cheaper prices.
The 10 commandments
The trick to getting the most out of Black Friday is going in with a thoroughly planned and well-executed mandate.
That’s why we took the time to compile a list of 10 commandments to follow religiously if you want to experience a hassle-free Black Friday and make it out of shops with your outfit still intact.
- Thou shall plan thoroughly
Be sure to have a wishlist of items that you will target on Black Friday. This ought to be where you kickstart your shopping plan.
If you have a clear idea of what you want, it will be much easier to build a solid financial plan that doesn’t negatively affect your wallet.
- Save, save, save
If you have not been saving for Black Friday 2020 then you may not be ready to reap the rewards of the day’s discounts. Unless, of course, your wage bracket is above average.
The whole point behind this day is to offer customers a chance to get their hands on prized items at discounted rates.
It helps to start saving for Black Friday a year or so in advance. That way, the excessive spending you commit to in one day doesn’t break your bank.
- Recruit some help
If one thing is for sure about Black Friday, it is the long queues that will pile outside of retail stores. Thus, recruiting help from family and close friends to spread out to different queues should make your shopping experience less stressful.
More importantly, you will want to be positioned to get your hands on the prized items before they sell out. So, recruit a few mates and have them positioned at the stores you want to hit and you will be in and out of that stuffy shopping centre in no time.
- Be sure to have a Plan B for sold out stock
If you’re a realist, you will accept it months ahead of Black Friday that fat chances are, the items you’ve targeted will most probably be sold out in some stores.
Here’s a tip. Try to avoid shopping centres that are close to public transit areas. More than likely, you will find stock of items in stores that generally don’t get a lot of traffic.
- Be the early bird
Trust and believe that this cliche works effectively on Black Friday. You will also find that many other shoppers adapt to it as well.
Try your best to get to the stores at least two hours before they open to secure a good spot in the queue.
- Don’t carry large sums of cash
If you are a South African citizen, this needs no further expansion. Large sums of cash make you an easy target of robbery.
Don’t be naive enough to think that criminals will be resting on their laurels on the one day everyone is carrying heaps of cash.
- A bottle of water will go a long way
Things can get pretty heated and intense at shopping centres.
Viral videos of people convulsing due to excessive heat in confined spaces are enough convincing that a bottle of water is essential to keep cool in the Black Friday frenzy that will take over many shopping centres.
- Be kind
It’s very much likely that you will find yourself reaching out to grab the same sale item everyone else is trying to get their hands on.
To avoid a bruised face — and this is not uncommon at all, believe it or not — rather choose to be kind and allow passage to irate shoppers. After all, you have a cut-throat Plan B and helpers in hand to step in when needed.
- Remember to adhere to social distancing
The craze of Black Friday can’t take priority over the safety measures put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
Even in spaces where health protocols are not practised, be sure to keep your mask on, have your hands sanitised as much as possible and remain at least two metres apart from everyone.
- Leave the rest for Cyber Monday
The best way to get the most out of November’s sales frenzy is to approach it in a smart way. Don’t place your entire budget in one basket.
If Black Friday doesn’t tick every box on your wishlist, leave the rest for Cyber Monday. The latter is the same as Black Friday, except, it only applies to online shopping.