The biggest sales day of the year is fast approaching – and retailers are gearing up for what could be the country’s biggest ever Black Friday.
New data from PriceSpy shows the number of Kiwis searching out Black Friday discounts is growing rapidly, increasing for a second year running. In 2016, PriceSpy saw a 61 per cent year on year increase in visitor numbers on Black Friday – and last year this number grew a further 14 per cent.
The impartial price and product comparison service has also revealed its online visitor numbers are now three times larger on the day compared to any other Friday during November.
Liisa Matinvesi-Bassett, New Zealand country manager for PriceSpy, says: “Black Friday is fast becoming a serious sales shopping day for Kiwis who are looking to buy products at a more affordable price ahead of Christmas.”
PriceSpy revealed another insight – Kiwis are also strategic about when they shop.
“Online traffic starts to peak around midnight the night before Black Friday, with many offers starting then. These numbers then tail off during the early hours of Black Friday morning before picking up again and peaking between 06.00 and 08.00.”
PriceSpy figures from the previous two years show 10 per cent of all products listed on the site actually received a price hike on Black Friday. Similarly, 17 per cent of the top 100 products on PriceSpy last Black Friday also increased in price by an average nine per cent.
Liisa recommends consumers do their research ahead of time to avoid disappointment. “We suggest consumers start using a price comparison site early, to help them get a feel for what kind of products will carry the biggest discounts, as this will help to save time searching on the day.”
