Cyber Monday???

The Center for Media Research reported that the Monday after Thanksgiving, dubbed "Cyber Monday" is the online retailers' version of Black Friday - their sales increase substantially on this day, ushering in the holiday shopping rush:

"Experts believe that an increase in web traffic could stem from the fact that consumers may have faster or more secure Internet connections at work and choose to shop there, or that they were unable to finish all of their shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend. Analysts also expect many consumers to shop on Cyber Monday from home after work or when their children are sleeping. Regardless of the reason or the time of day, 43 percent of online retailers plan to offer special promotions and discounts on Cyber Monday, according to an eHoliday Mood Study, Deals will range from free shipping to gifts with purchase to percentages off."

But there really were no compelling sales today- especially nothing better that the sales offerings from last week (at least none that prompted any interesting email alerts into my inbox or that I came across while clicking through to my fave sites).

The study also revealed: "more than half of young adults 18-24 (51%) and nearly half of those 25-34 (49%) will be shopping online during work hours."

No surprises there.

Most interesting part of the survey, in my opinion, is: "men (42%) are more likely than women (32%) to shop at the office."

Is that because electronics, traditionally a male category, are less important to see in person than clothing (the predominant female category) where trying on, feeling fabric and fit are essential to the shopping process?

Sale Shopping Need Not be Impulsive

There has been a lot of buzz in the fashion blogosphere about Black Friday, and I wanted to give an example of when sales shopping isn't impulsive consumption, but instead a serendipitous encounter. I have been looking for the perfect pair of brown winter work shoes for months now, and while my ballet flats (so cute, and yes I have to post a pic, its like the compulsion to brag about your children) have sufficed at my business-casual workplace, I've wanted something more dressy to add to the repertoire.

So I stopped by Macys (my old stomping grounds) for their pre-thanksgiving sale, and stumbled across these "Kim" Slingbacks by Michael from Michael Kors, and they not only fit my foot perfectly, but were a perfect fit for my shoe shopping needs. Besides that, they are by a reputable brand and are high quality, making them a complete steal - about $40 marked down from $109 (they are still the full price at Macys.com).

And on Black Friday itself (which in my family is as much a tradition as turkey on Thanksgiving) I grabbed the last pair of Ugg Downtowns in Henna in my size for half the price of retail ($70 from $140), taking care of my Ugg Dilemma. Again, not an impulse purchase, but something I had wanted and waited for.

That is how to make the most out of holiday sales - not to buy anything and everything that is cute and cheap (and thus frittering away your money), but to get great deals on things you already need. If you think the rush of sales shopping is a real high, think of how long-lasting the satisfaction will be when you shop sales strategically to get what you actually need.

Fashion & Textile History Gallery

The Museum at FIT -or as I affectionately like to call it, My Second Home- debuted a permanent exhibit called Fashion & Textile History last week. It features changing selections from the museums volumunious collections. According to the museum’s website, the permanent collection consists of “more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the 18th century to the present - with particular strength in contemporary designer fashion - some 30,000 textiles from the 6th to 21st centuries, as well as 300,000 textile swatches and 1,300 sample books.”

I will be going next week to see this collection. The museum has featured amazing pieces over the years and this exhibit looks like a can’t miss. (besides, it’s free!)

Info:

FIT Museum
Tues - Fri Noon - 8pm ,
Saturday 10am - 5pm. Closed Sundays,
Southwest corner of Seventh Avenue at 27th Street
NYC
212 217.5800

-Eva

Strategies for Shopping After-Thanksgiving Sales

Thanksgiving is about much more than turkey and football games, it is also about the retail industry’s chance to remain a functioning part of the economy by the sales-driven shopping day called Black Friday (deemed so because it takes retailers our of “the red”, i.e. debt, and into “the black”, i.e. profits).

Here are some Black Friday shopping tips to maximize your 7am shopping trip.

1. Make a list (and check it twice).
As with any major shopping excursion, assess what you need (and want) by actually spending a few minutes looking over your wardrobe. It is so easy to get caught up in sales and end up buying things that are cute or “great deals”, but not what you need (like buying three more sweaters when you have a closet full of them but only two pairs of dress pants). If you go out with a list, you will better be able to hit the stores you need first, and prioritize your day before you get hit with shopper’s fatigue.

2. Set your alarm clock.
Many stores offer special promotions to lure you into their shops in the early morning (before you blow your budget on something else or are too tired to step foot in one more store). Many offer a discount that coincides with a specific timeframe (such as “get an extra 20% before 10am”). Therefore, take a quick power walk around the mall when you first get there and note which stores offer such a deal and make sure to get to them before the special sale is over (and everything has been picked through). Don’t let an extra hour of sleep come between you and a sold-out item.

3. Prioritize.
Know what you want before you and where you need to go to get it. If there are must-have items on your list, get them first, and save browsing for last. This will keep you on-task and help avoid the temptations of unnecessary purchases (though if you see something you love, now is the time to treat yourself).

4. Buy the brands you know…
…or at least have heard of…or you have a personal recommendation (blogger recommendations count) about… because if you’ve never heard of the brand, you won’t be able to gauge whether or not you are getting a real deal. The more familiar you are with the brand of the product, the more you will be able to know if the product wouldn’t normally go on sale (at least, not on sale for that much percentage off).

5. Most of all, have fun and don’t fret.
Stores do restock their shelves and racks, so even if you miss out on something this time around, the opportunity will come again. Remember to LOVE the item exactly AS IT IS- not if it were just another color, or size, or sleeveless or shorter, or some other kind of alteration. If you don’t love it as it is, wait for something that you do love, even if it means spending four hours at the mall and walking out without any shopping bags. Don’t settle for something because it is “on sale” – would you rather have three $30 so-so tops or one $90 top that gives you a tingly feeling every time you see it?

And please, don’t be one of those people who trample over the sales staff when the doors open, because that’s just wrong.

-Ali

The After-Thanksgiving Sale Announcements Begin to Roll In…

Bluefly is having a special sale for Thanksgiving and the three days thereafter… as will every other retailer based in the US (we’ll try to keep up here with posts).

-Ali