Countdown to Black Friday: Tips, trends, and tricks to help you survive retail’s biggest day

Published 1:15 pm Wednesday, November 25, 2015

By now, Black Friday has become nearly as large an institution as the holidays consumers spend months preparing for. Whether you love it or hate it, the kickoff of the holiday shopping trifecta is upon us, providing what could be an ideal opportunity for you to snag those must-have gifts for the ones you love and maybe even a few for yourself.

To survive the big-box store, strip mall or traditional mall madness and get the most for your money this holiday season, check out our tips, tricks, and trends to give you the edge this Black Friday.

• Develop a plan…and stick to it: While this may seem like common sense, it can often be easier said than done. If you know that you plan to brave the crowds, it’s incredibly important to make a list of those you plan to shop for, the stores you plan to visit, the gifts you’re after and even who plans to join you. As stores offer various doorbuster deals and start sales earlier and earlier this year (JC Penney locations plan to start sales at 3:00 pm on Thanksgiving Day), having a well-designed list and shopping plan can save both time and money during the holiday shopping rush.
• Be organized: Along with developing a plan, you also want to ensure that you’re staying organized as you tackle your shopping list. Now while this may not include bringing a binder or two of coupons with you, the concept of order is what you want to focus on. Dedicate a specific section of your purse, a secure pocket or an area of your wallet for all receipts in case of a future return. Have a designated shopping companion hang on to all circulars or printed offers or coupons to avoid that moment of confusion and dread once you’ve finally made it to the register or managed to flag down a busy sales associate. Having each of these things in an easy-to-reach, convenient place can make all the difference, especially as bags get heavier and you travel from store to store.
• Be prepared (and properly outfitted): We know – you’re going shopping, not big game hunting. But you’d be surprised at the similarities between the two on Black Friday. That said, make sure that you and whoever will be joining you is ready for the day or night ahead. Even if you’re not planning on camping out or spending hours in line, plan for it. Dress comfortably for the elements and make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes and/or insoles that will let you go the distance…literally. If a young or elderly shopper is joining you, make sure they stay hydrated, have taken their medication or brought it with them, and that rest and snack breaks are factored into the excursion as needed. Because Black Friday is traditionally known to be frantic and frenzied, the goal should be to get the items you’re after without you or anyone you know actually shopping ‘til they drop.
• Be resourceful: Living in the age of the smartphone and other handy tech devices, feel free to put that battery-powered extension of yourself to good use in the shopping days ahead. Looking for one or more hard to describe gifts? Keep photos of the gifts you’re after and their features so you can make sure you get the right one. Can’t remember where that one great sale was that you heard about in passing? Apps like Retail Me Not and Shopular keep all of that information at your fingertips. In fact, one of this season’s biggest trends is using store apps and mobile sites to help you as you shop, keeping advertisements, store location information and even special offers all in the palm of your hand.
• Be safe: While hundreds of thousands of shoppers will be out in droves in the coming days, the truth is that individuals looking to catch them off guard will be as well. While shopping, be sure to keep up with your purchases, keys, wallet and phone as you work through your list. As a part of your planning, make sure that anyone who is tagging along has his or her cellphone fully charged and on in case of separation or an emergency. Also, make sure that everyone present knows where the group is parked for the same reason. Officials also offer that shoppers should keep purchases out of sight when storing them in their vehicles and you may want to consider asking security staff or available store staff to help you load your purchases, especially larger ones that could be cumbersome for one person to handle.

Remember that although Black Friday may not always provide the most ideal shopping experience, following these simple, helpful tips could get you a few steps closer to marking those must-have gifts off the list before it’s time to wrap and share them…without any aches, pains or horror stories, that is.