Just when you thought you’ve survived Black Friday shopping, holiday toy crazes and searching for the perfect gift for your in-laws, Christmas will be over and the after Christmas sales will begin.
But there are good reasons to be excited as long as you’re not getting into debt. After Christmas sales are often excellent. Retailers know that their merchandise will be worth less as soon as Christmas passes. Foot traffic will fall off a cliff as virtually all retail stores and items will be difficult to sell. After Christmas sales are one of the last opportunities for merchants to sell in anticipation of this slowdown.
If retailers can’t get rid of their leftover stock immediately after Christmas, they often have to send items to discount stores, outlets or donate to charity. Retailers will also dump unwanted clothes in landfills or scrap them in industrial shredders. This is a lose – lose for the shopper and the seller, as the seller missed the opportunity for a sale and the shopper will be hard pressed to locate the item ever again.
After Christmas Sales for 2012
So how big is Dec. 26th? Shoppers spent $7.1 billion on the day after Christmas in 2011, according to ShopperTrak, a retail traffic data company. $7.1 billion represented a 25.5% increase over same day sales from 2010.
What does that mean for 2012? The day after Christmas should be a huge shopping day. With the expansion of Black Friday sales this year into Thanksgiving and beyond, it’s likely that retailers will push after Christmas sales further as well this year, as they’re eager to cater to this growing consumer demand. Last year Dec. 26th started to look strangely like Black Friday – big sales, early store hours and well advertised doorbusters. This year, look for Dec. 26th sales to start as early as Dec. 21st, the Friday before Christmas. Retailers will want to drive big sales the weekend before Christmas.
To help you make the most of your time and money on Dec. 26th, we’ve compiled a list of the most important info about after Christmas sales and how to take advantage of what’s to be offered.
1. Get good deals by knowing what products retailers are trying to get rid of
As a general rule, retailers will be slashing prices on seasonal items, not evergreen goods. Everyone knows holiday decorations are cheapest right after Christmas, right?
Seasonal items include a lot more than just Christmas ornaments, though. Did you realize that anything in holiday packaging – even something like Goldfish snack crackers, which are clearly still edible after Christmas – is worth much less after Christmas?
Here’s a list of typical items that are discounted on the day after Christmas.
| Items Discounted | Item Examples | Why the Discount? |
| Clothing | Winter items, pajamas | Demand down, spring arrivals on their way |
| Toys | LEGO sets | Demand down |
| Holiday Decorations | Holiday lights | Demand down |
| Bath & Beauty Products | Hand soaps | Holiday packaging |
| Holiday Food | Baking products, candy, meats | Holiday packaging. Also stores need to clear shelves for New Year’s resolution diet foods |
| Exercise equipment | Treadmills | Attract New Year’s resolution shoppers |
| Electronics | HDTVs | Some returned, refurbished or restocked items cannot be sold at full price |
See anything on this list that you’re shopping for right now? If it’s not a Christmas present for someone else, consider holding off.
2. Compare 2012 After Christmas sales to their 2011 versions
To have an idea of what to expect this year, take a look at last year. Here are some examples of the major discounts at popular retailers on Dec. 26th, 2011:
| Retailer | 2011 After Christmas Deals |
| Abercrombie & Fitch | 30% – 50% off all clothing |
| Amazon.com | Up to 70% off cellphones, watches, magazines, jewlery, shoes and more |
| Barnes & Noble | 50% off popular hardcover books, up to 50% off toys and games |
| Bath & Body Works | Up to 75% off |
| Best Buy | 15% off iTunes gift card |
| Container Store | 50% off holiday gift wrap, totes, tags and tins |
| Eddie Bauer | 50% entire store |
| Hobby Lobby | 40% off one regularly priced item with coupon, 66% off Christmas items |
| Home Depot | 10% off appliances and free delivery |
| Ikea | $0.99 for 8 pk wooden clothes hangers, kids eat free |
| JC Penney | $10 off all purchases $25 or more |
| Kohl’s | 60% off outerwear, 40% – 60% off boots |
| Lord & Taylor | 30% – 50% off women’s boots |
| Macy’s | $10 off a $25 purchase with coupon |
| Michael’s | Up to 70% off winter clearance items |
| Neiman Marcus | 50% off holiday and epicure items |
| Rite Aid | 50% off gift wrap, greeting cards, Christmas tree decorations and more |
| Sears | Up to 60% off Bed & Bath |
| Target | 50% off popular women’s and kid’s apparel, home and holiday décor |
| Toys R Us | Buy 1 get 1 40% off all movies and video games, buy 1 get 1 free on select Hasbro purchases |
| Walmart | 50% off select Christmas candy, toys and seasonal décor. Kids and Baby Licensed Sleepwear starting at $6 |
When the 2012 After Christmas sale information is out – probably a few days before Christmas – make sure to check out your favorite retailer’s sale from 2011 as well. If the retailer’s 2012 sale doesn’t stack up, consider sleeping in on the 26th or taking your business elsewhere.
3. Expect significant in-store variation in sales and deals
Because after Christmas shopping is essentially a clearance sale, prices and availability will vary. While retailers will put out some national sale specifics a few days before Christmas, expect lots of other items to be discounted when you hit the neighborhood stores. This all depends on the individual store’s stocks and what they’re trying to get rid of.
If you’re really trying to figure out what the 26th will look like at your favorite local retailer, scan the shelves on the 23rd or 24th and see what’s still fully loaded. Ask the manager, as well, to see if he or she can give you any more details.
4. Shop online with special coupon codes
Just as there’s going to be plenty of unsold seasonal items in the brick-and-mortar backrooms, there will be extra stock at warehouses too. Shop online after Christmas sales and get great deals on many of the same products as sold in-store.
Make sure to check for special after Christmas online coupons too. You’ll find both item-level coupons and storewide discounts. Target, for example, offered $10 off a $50 order with the coupon code TGTGFT2U in 2011.
As usual, though, don’t forget the basic elements of online shopping. Don’t pay for shipping and don’t forget to use a rewards mall to get a cash back bonus or loyalty program points. If you’re not sure what a rewards mall is, check out our introduction or head straight to our rewards mall comparison tool.
5. Ask for gift cards and use them on the 26th to maximize value
There’s always an uncle, aunt, brother or sister who isn’t much of a Christmas shopper. Maybe you’ve kept getting dud presents year after year, or maybe your unprepared relative calls you three days before Christmas to ask what you want.
Either way, ask for gift cards this Christmas. Use these gift cards during after Christmas sales to get the most bang for your buck. You’ll get a fantastic deal on an item you truly want just one day after Christmas, all paid for by your lovably procrastinating family member.
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