(StatePoint) The busiest shopping days of the 2023 holiday season are on the horizon. Industry experts point out that knowing these dates in advance can help you score great deals -- or beat the crowds -- depending on your shopping priorities.
“Amid inflation, the return of student loan repayments and other factors that could impact holiday spending, many consumers will be bargain hunting this year. Since retailers are likely to plan promotions and experiences around the busiest shopping days of the year, if you’re on a budget, you should take note of when these days occur and adjust your plans accordingly,” says Brian Field, global leader of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, a retail solutions provider of Johnson Controls. “And of course, it’s helpful to know these dates if you simply wish to avoid bumper-to-bumper parking lots and crowded store aisles.”
On average, the top 10 busiest shopping days in the United States account for approximately 40% of all holiday retail traffic, according to Sensormatic Solutions, which based on historical data, predicts those days will be:
1. Friday, Nov. 24 – Black Friday
2. Saturday, Dec. 23 – Super Saturday
3. Saturday, Dec. 16 – Third Saturday in December
4. Friday, Dec. 22 – Friday before Christmas
5. Saturday, Nov. 25 – Saturday after Black Friday
6. Tuesday, Dec. 26 – Boxing Day
7. Saturday, Dec. 9 – Second Saturday in December
8. Saturday, Dec. 2 – First Saturday in December
9. Saturday, Dec. 30 – Saturday after Christmas
10. Sunday, Dec. 17 – Sunday before Christmas Eve
In addition to planning your spending around the top 10 shopping days, Field advises taking your own personality into consideration for the best shopper experience. For example, if you want to get a jump on the holiday season, Veterans’ Day, which falls on the second Saturday in November right before the start of the formal holiday shopping season, may be ideal, as retailers are likely to capitalize on the timing and go all-in on early promotions. However, if you are someone who prefers the excitement of finding last-minute deals, you should be aware that Super Saturday, the second predicted busiest shopping day of the season, falls very late this year on Dec. 23, and could be the last opportunity to wrap up shopping.
“Finding meaningful, fun and trendy gifts for friends and family is one of the best parts of the holiday season, especially when you have insights that will help you stretch your budget and shop with minimal stress,” says Field.
