BLACK FRIDAY AND BEYOND: Are You Ready

Ready, steady, GO!

It’s that time of year, and soon stores will be packed to their doors and Web sites will be pushed to their max with shoppers scurrying to find the perfect present for Aunt Pam or a different doo-dad for Uncle Dan.

Before you set out, arm yourself with information compiled by the Gant Media News Team.

Below you’ll find out what you need to know to find everything on your wish list and tips on how to get it so that you don’t break the bank or your patience.

Top 10 Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping

The decorations are out, lists have been made and consumers are hitting the stores ready to tackle their holiday shopping. While receiving a gift is always fun, long lines and crowded stores can make finding the perfect items for the people on your holiday list a little more stressful. The National Retail Federation has assembled a list of 10 tips guaranteed to take the headache out of your holiday shopping.

“Holiday to-do lists can get a little overwhelming this time of year,” said Dan Butler, NRF’s vice president of Retail Operations and Merchandising. “From finding out ahead of time when an item goes on sale to knowing the best times to avoid crowds, smart shoppers can follow little tricks of the trade to reduce unnecessary frustration.”

And now to the tips!

— Shop after 6 p.m. the evening before a sale is advertised to begin. Many retailers program the registers the night before, so the sale may already come up in the register even if they have not signed the selling floor yet. Ask the associate in advance for any possible upcoming sales, especially on big ticket items.

— Prepare a list to use while you are shopping. Make sure to include alternative selections in case you are unable to find some of the items on your list.

— Avoid crowds by shopping during stores’ early and late extended hours.

— If you are looking for specific advertised items, take the complete ad with you so that you don’t end up in the wrong store looking for a specific price.

— Staple a gift receipt to the merchandise tag in case it needs to be returned or exchanged. Keep your original receipts with any warranty paperwork for the life of the warranty.

— Remember when gift shopping you are buying for someone else’s wants and needs, not your own. But don’t be surprised if you find some new necessities for yourself in the process!

— Watch your personal belongings at all times including handbags and purchases. The stores are not responsible for any lost items so be careful, especially at the register when you can get easily distracted by the transaction itself.

— Let the charity group at the mall wrap your gifts for you. This will save you a lot of time and free you up to do other things on your holiday to-do lists.

— When shopping online, have your credit cards and address book handy. Many websites have timed windows to complete a transaction, so you need to have any shipping information at your fingertips.

— Wear comfortable shoes — you are going to be walking on a lot of marble and tile.

And a couple of bonus tips from Gant!

— Be sure to eat before going shopping. Sharp changes in your blood sugar affect your ability to think and reason. Skipping your English muffin and apple juice, you might find your cart filled with not only the DVD you meant to buy but also a new DVD player and a surround sound system to boot.

— Some stores honor sales fliers from other stores, so have them ready. Check that the brands, model numbers, etc. are the same before you go for the checkout.

Procrastinators, You are Not Alone!!

A recent survey by the National Retail Federation showed that more than 137 million shoppers will be spending money on the weekend following Thanksgiving.

Last year, NRF found that the average shopper spent more than $300, with total weekend spending at more than $27 billion.

But, NRF also found that men still tend to procrastinate when it comes to buying anything for under the tree.

NRF found that about 18 percent of men had not yet started their holiday shopping as of Dec. 20 last year, as compared to about 12.5 percent of women. On that date, NRF estimated that about 30.83 million consumers had not yet started their shopping.

Tracy Mullin, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, said, “When it comes to shopping, men have notoriously been procrastinators.”

So what should you do if it comes down to seconds until Santa’s arrival and you are still without presents?

Gant has some ideas!

— Think outside the “box.” Buy gifts you know they’re sure to use, gift certificates a store, lodging or travel arrangements for an overnight trip or a special and sweet treat.

— Go to the store and wander around. That’s a tip you’re not likely to hear everywhere, but wander with purpose. If mom loves pretty smelling stuff, go to a store where you’re likely to find that kind of thing. If someone is a fitness fan, look into paying for their gym membership or hit a health store. It’s all about what that person likes, so stick with what you know!

— Restaurant gift certificates are usually appreciated, and they won’t go to waste. We all have to eat!

— Do something nice, and remember, it’s the thought that counts. If there’s a college student on your list, do something small for the holidays and maybe send a care package to their dorm or apartment a few weeks after the holidays wind down. An older relative? Plan to visit them during the holiday season (if they’re up to it) … such times of togetherness can bring a warm feeling even in the cold of winter. Or, your wife, husband or significant other, for them plan a night out. Make arrangements to send the children to Grandma’s and line up dinner reservations, take in a show or a band and maybe even set up a night at a hotel.

As More Consumers Shop from Work, Retailers Gear Up for Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday, the ceremonial kickoff to the online holiday shopping season, will likely be even bigger this year as retailers target at-work shoppers with lunch hour promotions and special savings. In fact, Nov. 27, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is expected to be one of the biggest online holiday shopping days again this year.

Online retailers have good reason to focus on the office crowd, as the number of people who will shop online for holiday gifts from work is expected to surge to 61.0 million people this year, up from 51.7 million people last year, according to a recent Shop.org survey conducted by BIGresearch. In fact, more than half of consumers (50.7 percent) with Internet access at work plan to do some holiday shopping online from the office, up from 44.7 percent last year. Young adults with online access at work are the most likely to shop, with almost three-fourths (71.5 percent) of 18-24 year-olds and two-thirds (66.4 percent) of 25- to 34-year-olds planning to browse or buy online from the office this holiday season.

While some shoppers are undoubtedly shopping during working hours, employers find most people shopping online during their lunch hours or before and after work.

“Online reailers typically see huge surges in website traffic during traditional lunch hours,” said Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.org. “Shopping at work can be a great way for many consumers to complete holiday buying without having to worry about sneaky gift recipients looking over their shoulders.”

On Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, online retailers will be unveiling an array of promotions to demonstrate what Web sites have to offer this holiday season. There will certainly be a lot at stake: according to the Shop.org/Shopzilla eHoliday Mood Study, conducted by BizRate Research, Cyber Monday was the second biggest shopping day of the holiday season last year. (Dec. 12, which was one of the last days online retailers offered free standard shipping, was first.)

Set a Shopping Limit for a Happier Holiday

Perhaps the biggest mistake made during the holiday season isn’t buying that ugly sweater for your Mom or yet another tool for your Dad, but it is not having a clear limit as to what you’re willing to spend to spread the holiday cheer.

Write down a budget and stick to it. Adding $10 or $15 to a gift here or there can really add up when your list rivals even Santa’s for length.

Use paper, not plastic. If you shop in brick-and-mortar stores, use cash. When you’re peeling off five $10-bills for a gift, it feels a lot different than signing your name on an electronic terminal or at the bottom of a receipt.

If you must, you must. When you do sound the battle cry and CHARGE! do so in moderation. Charge only what you know you can pay off next month, or on the outside, in two months. You definitely don’t want to be paying for Grandpa’s foot warmer in August.

I’m Home, Now What

Now you’re back, safe in your house where even a cart-weilding crazed shopper can’t get ahold of your bargain slowcooker you bought for your daughter. So, what to do now?

The first thing your should do is stash those receipts in a place where you’ll know how to get to them. And, if you got gift receipts, follow the National Retail Federation’s suggestion and attach them to the gift.

Make note of store return policies, too, and be sure to pass that information along to the gift receiver.

Re-evaluate. Now that you have everything spread out, consider whether everything that needs to be even is so.

Consider a cause. If you have an extra toy or a spare shirt, donate it to those in need. Women’s and men’s shelters are always ready to accept donations, especially around the holidays. Children’s items can go to various toy drives or check with a local church to find a home for some gloves you bought but weren’t needed or a spiffy new hat that you’re not sure will fit.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

With many retailers opening early and some even staying open later, an important thing to remember is to get enough rest.

In Clearfield County, some shoppers are expected to begin their day at 4 a.m. or earlier to be the first in stores when they open.

Another important tip is to eat a good breakfast. Skipping the first meal of the day could lead to a lack of energy even before the sun comes up.

While the day marks the official start to the holiday shopping season, remember that many people in one space and large amounts of money are fertile ground for thieves. Keep a close eye on your purse or wallet. Some people even swear by travel wallets most often used by tourists.

A little planning will definitely go a long way when it comes to rounding out your holiday gift-giving and the gift-shopping.