After a weekend of Thanksgiving feasts and Black Friday doorbusters, you might feel like it’s time to take a break from holiday shopping. But don’t let Cyber Monday slip by! This online shopping holiday is an opportunity to score some of the best deals of the year without leaving the comfort of your home. Many retailers save their biggest discounts for Cyber Monday, making it an important and exciting day for savvy shoppers.
To help you navigate this major shopping day, our team of personal concierges has put together these top tips for Cyber Monday shopping.
Tip #1: Know What to Buy
Cyber Monday isn’t just a repeat of Black Friday, it brings its own unique set of deals and offers. Knowing which categories typically see the deepest discounts on Cyber Monday can help you prioritize and save money and time. Here are some of the best items to target:
- Technology: Electronics are a major highlight of Cyber Monday, often featuring deeper discounts than those available on Black Friday. If you’ve been eyeing a new laptop, smartphone, or tech gadget, this is the day to make your move. Brands frequently release limited-time offers on laptops, desktops, smart devices, and accessories. This is a great way to get the tech you need for less.
- Travel: Planning a holiday getaway or a trip next year? Many hotels, airlines and travel services offer exclusive online discounts on Cyber Monday, making this a smart time to lock in travel plans. Booking directly through a hotel’s website can reveal hidden deals not available through other booking sites.
- Shoes: Cyber Monday is a great day to snag deals on sneakers, boots, and athletic shoes so you can upgrade your footwear collection while saving money. Major brands like Nike, Reebok, and New Balance often release exclusive online offers on their best-selling styles.
- Kitchen Appliances: If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen setup, Cyber Monday is ideal for finding discounts on appliances like blenders, air fryers, coffee makers and high-end mixers. Online-only discounts frequently beat in-store prices on items like these, so it’s worth shopping for them from home.
Making a list before you start browsing is also a great way to stay focused. With so many enticing deals, it’s easy to get sidetracked and end up buying items you don’t really need. A focused list will keep you on budget and ensure you get exactly what you planned for.
Tip #2: Score Cyber Monday Deals on Top Sites
Finding the best deals is all about knowing where to look. Some retailers are known for their consistent Cyber Monday savings, so consider these go-to sites as you plan your shopping:
- Amazon: Known for its wide selection across all categories, Amazon is a one-stop shop. Visit the “Today’s Deals” section for limited-time discounts on everything from tech gadgets to home essentials.
- Walmart: Walmart’s Cyber Monday page is packed with budget-friendly deals on electronics, home goods, toys, and more. The site frequently updates with fresh “doorbuster” discounts, so check in regularly.
- Best Buy: Electronic lovers should head to Best Buy, where you’ll find deep discounts on gadgets like TVs, laptops, smartphones, and other tech essentials.
- Target: With a Cyber Monday selection that includes home décor, clothing, toys, and beauty, Target is perfect for tackling multiple items on your list in one place.
- Overstock: If you’re redecorating or looking for home essentials, Overstock frequently offers substantial discounts on furniture, rugs, and other home items. You can upgrade your space for less.
For added convenience, try websites like CyberMonday.com, which aggregates top deals from multiple retailers, allowing you to compare prices and shop with ease.
Tip #3: Account for Shipping Times and Possible Delays
Unlike in-store shopping, online purchases often come with a waiting period for shipping. During the holiday rush, delays can be more common, so it’s smart to double-check estimated arrival dates, especially if the items are gifts. Make sure you order early enough to allow time for returns if something doesn’t meet your expectations.
If managing shipping timelines and returns seems overwhelming, Simplified’s personal shopper services that take care of these details for you, ensuring your items arrive on time and making your holiday shopping stress-free.
Tip #4: Don’t forget to support Small Businesses
Cyber Monday isn’t just about big-box stores; it’s a great time to support small businesses too. Here’s why shopping small on Cyber Monday is an awesome choice:
- Unique, Thoughtful Gifts: Many small business products are handcrafted, so you can find one-of-a-kind gifts for teachers, a host/hostess, recent grads or anyone special on your list. Unique items that aren’t available in mainstream stores add a personalized touch to your holiday giving.
- Customization: Small businesses often offer customization options, making it easy to add a personal touch to your gifts. From monogrammed accessories to custom artwork, these gifts show you’ve put extra thought into your choices.
- Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choices: Many artisans use recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging, and ethical production practices. Supporting small businesses can also mean supporting brands that care about sustainability and environmental impact.
- Supporting Local Artisans and Entrepreneurs: Cyber Monday is one of the biggest sale days of the year for small businesses, and your purchases help them reach new customers and grow. Shopping small is a meaningful way to give back during the holiday season.
Tip #5: Take Advantage of Store Apps for Exclusive Savings
Many retailers offer app-only discounts on Cyber Monday. Installing store apps can give you extra savings, notifications about flash sales, and even restock alerts on popular items. Some stores also provide loyalty rewards through their apps, so keep an eye out for rewards and extra discounts exclusive to app users.
Tip #6: Sign Up for Retailer Newsletters
Signing up for retailer newsletters before Cyber Monday can help you stay ahead of the crowd. Many stores offer early access to deals, exclusive discounts, or special coupon codes to subscribers. A few minutes spent subscribing to these newsletters can unlock early deals and give you a head start on Cyber Monday shopping.
Make Shopping Easy with Simplified’s Personal Shopper Services
Holiday shopping can be one of the season’s most time-consuming and stressful tasks. If you’d prefer to spend the holiday season enjoying time with loved ones instead of juggling shopping, Simplified’s personal shopper concierge is here to make everything easy and stress-free.
We take care of all the details from shopping and purchasing gifts, locating hard-to-find items and wrapping gifts to personalizing gift baskets, managing exchanges and tracking deliveries. With Simplified, you can say goodbye to the hassle of worrying about delivery dates, where to find a gift for that special someone, personalizing a gift basket, tracking deliveries or handling returns. Our team ensures every item on your list is thoughtfully selected, ordered, and managed for a seamless experience.
Contact the Simplified Personal Shopping team today and let us lighten your holiday load!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.