Holiday Shopping Deals Already Under Way
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's not even Halloween, but the holiday shopping season is already getting under way. This year, Black Friday is even arriving early, really early.
Shopper Sarah Leonard told Eyewitness News, "It doesn't surprise me that this is going on at all. Do I think it'll work? I have no idea."
Traditionally, retailers offer big bargains the Friday after Thanksgiving. But this year, some retailers are offering those similar deals the Friday before Halloween.
Sears is offering "Black Friday Now" deals on electronics and appliances beginning Friday and Saturday. Toys "R" Us is putting many of the items in its 80-page "Great Big Christmas" book on sale starting Sunday. Amazon's electronic department is also slashing prices on its high-definition TVs on Friday.
So why the early push? Retailers know they're competing to snag shopper's limited shopping budget.
A new Consumer Reports survey found that while shoppers may spend a little more this holiday, 42 percent still consider finding the best deal, critical.
"Retailers generally don't win in that kind of a situation," Dr Diane Phillips, a marketing professor at St Joseph's University said.
"When you're competing on price, you're at the mercy of your stupidest competitor because you compete on price and the next thing that happens is the other guy he drops his price and so on and so on and then who wins? I mean the customer wins that's a fantastic thing," Phillips added.
But will the deals get better down the road? Our expert said not by much. So if you are in the market for electronics or appliances on sale now, Phillips said, buy now while they're still in stock.
Reported By: Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
