Welcome to November! For avid shoppers and deal-hunters, this month is the main event. After all, it contains Black Friday (and all the early-hype sales leading up to to it), Cyber Monday and RetailMeNot’s very own Cash Back Day (Nov. 3 and 4)!
Using our internal discount data, we calculated the average discounts November shoppers can expect in popular categories. Based on that, these are the top categories to shop this month:
If you’re wondering how early is “too early” to start shopping for the holidays, the answer is, “What are you waiting for?” Shoppers (according to our survey) are getting an early start, and so are retailers. So take advantage of all the early and “pre” Black Friday sales being offered this year from the likes of Best Buy, Walmart and Target, and check some must-haves off your list as soon as possible. Then, you can treat Black Friday and Cyber Monday as your final rounds for extra deal-hunting and self-gifting.
Be Sure to Shop Cash Back Day 2022: Nov. 3 and 4
If you’re going to be shopping anyway (and we know you will be), you might as well earn some cash back. Enter RetailMeNot’s Cash Back Day. It’s our annual event that offers cash back when you shop at hundreds of online retailers. Learn more about how Cash Back Day works.
This year’s Cash Back Day event runs for 48 hours (Nov. 3 and 4) and will let shoppers earn up to 5X cash back while they shop at top retailers. That cash back can be redeemed via Venmo and PayPal, so you’re basically getting paid to shop.
The 5 Best Things to Buy in November
While this year has been challenging for the retail industry, stores will offer plenty of ways to save this month. We looked at our internal data to find out the average discounts for top items in November — so make sure the categories below are at the top of your shopping list.
1. Rental Cars (Average Discount: 46% Off)
If you’re itching to get away, start browsing for travel deals in November — and that includes deals on car rentals. Looking for a discount for that Thanksgiving car rental? You may not have much luck, due to the high demand for this period (although there are some ways to snag a Thanksgiving or holiday rental car discount). But deals on post-holiday travel will be abundant because Black Friday and Cyber Monday are treasure troves of travel savings, especially for trips in the new year. To save the most, shop for rental car deals in the context of “vacation package deals” during Cyber Weekend. Package deals involve bundling flight, hotel and rental car booking together for a cost that’s less than booking all those things separately.
2. Computers and Electronics (Average Discount: 42% Off)
Electronics (from TVs to smart home gadgets to tablets to earbuds) are some of the most-hyped Black Friday buys. And that’s not just empty hype — the deals are great, too (an average of more than 40% off). Whether you’re self-gifting yourself a new 4K TV or seeking cheap AirPods for a loved one, you can expect some of the best prices of the year. Need to upgrade your laptop or your kid’s tablet? Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best (if not THE best) days to shop. And don’t forget about smart home and smart security — all of Amazon’s and Google’s smart speakers, smart displays, smart thermostats and video doorbells will be heavily discounted (and, in some cases, bundled with freebies like smart bulbs).
For the consumer electronics industry, the worst effects of the chip shortage have passed — and we saw some of the best prices of the year on TVs and laptops during retailers’ October sales (which are often previews of what’s to come for Black Friday).
3. Health & Beauty (Average Discount: 31% Off)
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are huge days for beauty retailers, so expect chains (like Ulta and Sephora) to throw sales. Ulta is known for offering 50% off select beauty sets and styling tools during its Black Friday sale, for example. And small niche brands will be offering discounts as well.
So, whether you plan to buy holiday beauty gift sets for your nearest and dearest, or need to restock your own makeup drawer, expect a LOT of otherwise pricey brands to move into your price range. And don’t forget about free gifts with purchase. Beauty stores often throw in travel-sized products with specific purchases during their Black Friday sales. It’s those little extras that make holiday shopping so fun.
4. Clothing (Average Discount: 19% Off)
A new season means you need a new wardrobe, whether you’re planning to head out into the cold or stay cozy at home in your sweatpants. While you usually want to wait until just after a new season to shop for apparel, Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring a unique opportunity — plenty of winter styles will be on sale early, from boots to coats to sweaters. Plus, high-priced luxury items will likely see healthy discounts that bring them into your price range. And stores are known for offering Cyber Monday promo codes worth 15% off or more on your entire cart.
Keep in mind that deals on clothing vary widely. While you will find discounts on cold-weather clothing, there will be even bigger discounts (think upwards of 70% off) on clearance items. Plus, retailers are working through overstocked athleisure, casual and athletic wear, so expect bigger discounts on those items than on, say, holiday party outfits. So, while the average discount is just 19%, by shopping smart and finding those savings sweet spots, you can save much more.
5. Gifts (Average Discount: 19% Off)
You’ll start seeing plenty of giftable items going on sale in November — especially during Black Friday sales. Think toys, holiday beauty gift sets, PJ sets, fragrances and more. Small giftable home goods (like countertop electronics and small gadgets) will also be on sale with discounts upwards of 50% off during Black Friday and Cyber weekend. If you miss these deals in November, you’ll have another chance later in the season. Any type of “gift set” will be massively discounted in stores in the days before Dec. 25, as retailers want that stuff out.
Gifting toys this year? You won’t likely see big discounts on the hottest and newest toys this year (Magic Mixies, for example). But plenty of board games, STEM robot toys and various stocking stuffers will be discounted.
Honorable Mention: Genealogy Kits
Maybe it’s the fact that the holidays get people thinking about family. Or perhaps it’s because DNA-testing kits are highly giftable. In any case, genealogy kits go on sale like clockwork during the holidays and on Black Friday. They might not be the most glamorous Black Friday buy (that honor goes to TVs and gaming systems), but prices get slashed by 40% or more, making them a very smart (and giftable!) purchase.
Check out 23andMe and Ancestry, in particular. They have solid reputations, and the kits reliably go on sale on Amazon in the leadup to the holidays.
The post 5 Things to Buy in November appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
