Shopping

If shopping is something like a sport to you, then you're probably already gearing up for after-Christmas sales. It's one of the more notable shopping events of the year, and you can expect stores to almost universally offer discounts. But how do the sales stack up to other major shopping holidays? And what should you expect this year? The editors over at dealnews have combed through their archives to offer a few predictions on what you'll likely see this December 26.

The other major shopping event of the fall and winter season is, of course, Black Friday weekend. Thus, dealnews compared last year's after-Christmas deals to this year's Black Friday offerings, and found that the post-Christmas sales of 2010 were notably less exceptional, in terms of top offers.

Last year, 35% of the deals posted on December 26 were Editors' Choice. That percentage is slightly less than what they saw on Black Friday this year (which came in at 39% Editors' Choice), and post-Christmas sales 2010 were way under Thanksgiving 2011, which clocked in at a whopping 48% Editors' Choice). This suggests that the overall caliber of deals is lacking. However, the New York Times argues that sale items on December 26 are generally in greater supply than they are during Black Friday weekend.Read more

One of the great privileges we have as parents is giving to our children. Seeing the elated look on our children's faces when they open a present gives us a rush. But an even bigger thrill comes when our children get that same rush watching others enjoy gifts, especially ones they gave.

Maybe this is the Christmas your family decides that it truly is more rewarding to give than to get, and you put your money where your mouth is. Just how will you do that when it hasn't been a priority in the past? According to Dr. Marilynn Price-Mitchell Ph. D. of Psychology Today, "It is the act of thinking about and choosing gifts that is of high value to the giver." Kids, she says, "can prepare for gift giving, some with needed parental help."

You don't want to raise a crop of bratty I-deserve-it children. This Christmas is a great time to steer your family in the right direction, and here are a few tips to help you along the way.

1. Prepare your child for the experience.
Dragging your kid through Toys 'R Us without buying him something is like parading a starving man through the buffet line and telling him not to eat. The first step to shopping for others with your children is talking about it. Start the dialogue with, "Isn't it great you have so many toys to play with? I wonder if there are other kids who don't have any toys." When the time comes to go shopping, first remind your child of the reason for going to the store--it's not about them this time! Read more

Black Friday 2011 is almost here. The editors over at Retrevo have been analyzing the deals on electronics from HDTV sets to digital cameras and have turned up some real deals and some duds. There are some great deals like a Sharp 42-inch 1080p TV for $199 at Best Buy although we suspect supplies will be limited on killer deals like this one. On the other hand, there are some deals that don't look as sweet - like the $78 Magnavox Blu-ray player at Walmart - that has been offered in past Black Friday deals. Here are some picks and recommendations:

*Amazon hadn't announced their prices as this list was put together but we're sure Amazon will be offering some very compelling deals

HDTV Bargains Come in All Sizes

If you're looking for a small TV to put on the counter, bedside or next to Grandma's chair there are some under $100 small screen sets worth considering. There are plenty of larger screen deals to consider as well even some 3D sets.

Samsung 55-inch D6000 LCD TV for $1099 at Sears
This TV offers some attractive features for the price. You get 120Hz, LED backlight and connectivity all for $400 off the normal price.

Dynex 24-inch 1080p LCD TV, $79 at Best Buy
Dynex is Best Buy's house brand which we understand is made by a Thai electronics manufacturer named Orion. Even though you don't really need 1080p on a set this size, it might make DVDs and games look better and it's hard to turn down at $79. Read more

It's a common misperception…some consumers think that literally every item on their shopping list will be at its lowest price of the year in and around Black Friday.

This statement may be true for a variety of categories, but it's important to note that there are a handful of things you should not buy on Black Friday.

Here are the top 10 Things NOT to Buy on Black Friday, from the dealnews editors:

1. Toys: We've said it many times already, and we'll say it once more: Black Friday is not the best time to buy toys for the holidays. They'll likely still be discounted, and it may feel pretty good to get your shopping done early, but you won't love that sinking feeling you'll get when you see those toys listed on dealnews for less about two weeks before Christmas.

2. Top-Brand TVs: Black Friday is an excellent time to get a cheap TV, with numerous sizes prepped to hit their lowest price points we've ever seen, but don't expect the best deals to be flooded with brand-name sets. Those will come with a bit of patience.

3. 2012 Calendars: Wait until the end of January or early February to see the first significant discounts on 2012 calendars, and keep your appointments in your smartphone in the meantime. Wall calendars are mainly just eye candy for your cubicle anyway, right?Read more

'Tis the Season– Either time passes too quickly or the year is getting shorter. Seems like Black Friday, Cyber Monday 2010 were just here and BAM!!! they're back. True Halloween is barely passed but retailers have missed you crowding the malls, beating each other up for those marvelous Christmas gifts. This year, you're ready because all your mobile device batteries are fully charged and you know how to use these shopping tools.

It's hard to believe but the most dreaded period of the year is almost here…Black Friday, Cyber Monday.

If you thought last year was "interesting," this year is lining up to be a terror. Yes, folks have lost jobs…yes homes are underwater…yes things are tight.

Financial institution greed, political hypocrisy only makes the human spirit more resilient. Yes **** it you're still standing!

People are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Manufacturers, online/storefront retailers are determined to move the needle even if global governments can't/won't! It used to be simple ... Retailers – management, employees – would have an uneasy Thanksgiving meal and rush to the store to get the merchandise ready for the mobs.

Women would hit the stores fighting over half a bra. Men would hit the stores to struggle under the weight of a new huge TV set. Manufacturers would be readying next year's plans, budgets, preparing for good/bad news on end-of-year sales.Read more

What are bargain hunters going to be looking for this coming Black Friday and what's on everyone's holiday gift wish list? This latest Pulse Study from Retrevo asked consumers about what they want for the holidays and what they're going to be looking for in the bargain bins. For Black Friday bargain hunters only, tablets top the list followed by HDTV sets, laptops and smartphones.

Shoppers Are Hoping For Black Friday Tablet Deals
Would you get up at four o'clock in the morning to get a deal on a tablet or laptop computer? Apparently there are plenty of bargain hunters who plan on braving the elements this Black Friday to buy electronic things. Although we don't expect to see too many doorbuster deals on iPads or even other tablets, it's at the top of the bargain hunter's list this year.Read more

Consumers can expect a frenzy of deals, discounts and bargains during Black Friday, and the editors over at dealnews feel that the best way to make the most of this epic shopping event is to be prepared.

So, they've compiled a list of "10 Ways Black Friday 2011 Will Be Different" to inform shoppers what to expect:

1. Fewer People Are Buying TVs
One of the obvious items to be on the hunt for during Black Friday is an HD television, as they're frequently at the center of most major retailers' ads. (Plus, you'll see all-time low prices on several sizes during that weekend.) But HDTV sales across the board have been sliding, with even the top manufacturers reporting significant dips. Shoppers seem less interested in purchasing TVs, which means this traditional Black Friday draw may entice fewer people this year.Read more

No wonder the U.S. Post Office is having trouble -- FedEx is stealing all their thunder.

The global-shipping behemoth said recently they expect Dec. 12 will be the busiest day in company history, as more than 17 million packages make their way through the system. That's just a small portion of the 250 million shipments they anticipate handling between Thanksgiving and Christmas, for a total increase of 12 percent from 2010.

FedEx's good fortune may have something to do with consumers' increasing trust of e-retailers as more individuals turn to the Internet for their shopping needs, according to a recent article by Marketing Pilgrim. And, with holiday free shipping deals being announced by such stores as Sears, Kmart and Best Buy, shoppers have even more incentive to buy online. But that's just one interesting shopping trend popping up this holiday season. Here are 11 more for your consideration.

1. Less Time Spent Per Site
The same IBM Coremetrics study featured in the Marketing Pilgrim article found consumers aren't willing to dig deeper into a site unless they see the info they need on the homepage. In fact, many shoppers won't go any further if they don't see an ad with a free shipping offer. Read more

Shopping in May is a conundrum: What kind of prices can consumers expect when looking for seasonal items like grills, swimsuits and bikes? Conventional wisdom would tell you one thing about your chances of getting a deal on these eight items in May, while data from dealnews will tell you the real answer.

Is now the best time to buy, or should you wait? Here are the best strategies for eight key seasonal categories in May:

Grills and BBQ
If you see advice out there that says the best time to buy grills is May, before the season, or September, after the season, think again. We've actually seen prices on grills remain fairly flat over the course of a season, and over the past several years. In fact, Walmart has been offering the same Uniflame 40,000 BTU Propane Gas Grill for the past three years, with the price only going from $127 to $115 (and is now $118). The same goes for Brinkman, Char-Broil and other top brands at top merchants. If you're looking to buy a grill, the best thing you can do is wait for a storewide 10% or 20% off sale at a store like Sears, Home Depot or Lowe's. If you're looking for BBQ accessories like meat thermometers, tools and brushes, it's best to look for special offers from a daily deal site like 13deals.com, which seem to be abundant in May.Read more