Black Friday: Only 1 in 5 Aussies will shop the sale

16 November, 2018, Sydney, Australia – While Black Friday holds legend status in the U.S., it isn’t causing much fanfare down under, with only one in five shopping the sale, according to finder.com.au, the site that compares virtually everything.

Black Friday falls on November 23 this year, and savvy shoppers can expect big discounts on clothing, homewares and tech.

The research shows just 4 million Australians plan to shop that day (21%), falling way short of the 174 million Americans (70%) who are expected to shop over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Despite the lack of Aussies taking part, finder.com.au analysis estimates Aussies will spend over $320 million.

Bessie Hassan, Money Expert at finder.com.au, said though plenty of retailers have jumped on the bandwagon, Black Friday is still a new concept for Aussies.

“Like Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations, Black Friday is a tradition making its way to our shores.

“Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the last big sales before Boxing Day, so it’s the perfect time to do your Christmas shopping for a fraction of the cost.”

The survey of 2,013 people found the majority of Australians (44%) simply purchase things as they need them, rather than holding out until sale time.

Hassan said many Aussies are missing a trick to save money.

“Retailers regularly have sales, so you shouldn’t be paying full price for anything. Beyond Christmas, think ahead for a New Year’s Eve outfit or back to school needs.

“The trick is to start browsing now. Jump online and check out your favourite sites, then start bookmarking or adding what you’d like to buy to your shopping cart.

“Once the sale starts, you can easily see if the goods on your wish list are reduced, and quickly check out.

“Some brands will even kick off earlier than Friday, so keep your eyes peeled.”

Despite the opportunity to bag a bargain, 11% will resist the temptation to buy until the Boxing Day sales.

One in four Australians (25%) don't actually know what Black Friday is. This was consistent across generations with Black Friday lost on Baby Boomers (25%) and Millennials (24%) alike.

Only 18% of Western Australians plan to shop the sale compared to 24% of savvy shoppers in South Australia.

To shop the sale from the comfort of your couch, finder.com.au will be rounding up 350+ Black Friday offers here: https://www.findershopping.com.au/black-friday-deals

Tips to get the best Black Friday deals

• Do your homework
  Make a list, start browsing now so you know roughly how much everything costs. When the sale starts, you’ll be able to see if you’re getting a good deal.
• Make sure the retailer ships to Australia
  Black Friday is a huge sale in the USA, so you might wind up on an overseas website only to discover they don’t ship to Australia. Check where the site ships first before shopping to avoid disappointment and check if there’s an international shipping fee.
• Check the return policy
  This is essential if you’re buying clothing or anything you’re unsure of. Also double check if there are return shipping costs, these can be high if you’re buying from an overseas retailer.
• Sign up to the newsletter
  Brands will notify their customers of the sale first. Sign up to your favourite brands’ newsletter so you’re in the know first.