Predictions for this year's sales and deals?

[Brad]

How do you think this year will compare with recent years as far as number of sales, quality of deals, sale formats, etc?

 

How do you think the tariffs will affect the deals? Will prices be higher or will retailers eat those increases when it comes to their Black Friday deals?

 

Black Friday also falls on the 28th, which is the second latest possible day and gives retailers less time between BF and Christmas so will that once again cause sales to start even earlier?

 

What items do you think we'll see the best deals on this year? What items are you hoping to score deals on?

 

Share your thoughts and remember that posts in this forum qualify for the giveaways we'll be having this year (more on that soon).

[Kanyon71]

I have a feeling it’s going to be a little worse with all the tariffs taking their toll on deals. I also think it’s going to be so spread out that it’s going to be hard to determine if the deals will be any better with the later sales. 

[len_mullen]

 

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How do you think this year will compare with recent years as far as number of sales, quality of deals, sale formats, etc?

I expect Amazon, Walmart, and others will hold their own 'deal days' events leading up to Black Friday.  You'll have to have some sort of membership to participate.

 

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How do you think the tariffs will affect the deals? Will prices be higher or will retailers eat those increases when it comes to their Black Friday deals?

The biggest factor impacting prices will be lack of interest.  I haven't bought a computer in more than a year and will not be shopping for one.  I bought my kids 65" 144 hz 'televisions' to play video games on last year.  Before that, my last TV purchase was in 2021.  Not looking for televisions this year.  My kids do not need/want televisions, computers, or new phones this year.  We're full.

 

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Black Friday also falls on the 28th, which is the second latest possible day and gives retailers less time between BF and Christmas so will that once again cause sales to start even earlier?

Just means more sales leading up to BF and a less important BF.  Last deal I got between BF and Christmas was that 75" TV I bought in 2021.  I ordered Christmas Eve but did not take delivery until after Christmas.

 

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What items do you think we'll see the best deals on this year? What items are you hoping to score deals on?

As always, TVs and Computers will be steeply discounted.  Personally, I'm hoping to get deals on a couple Arcade1Up cabinets.  The company seems to be teetering, so maybe some clearance action from Kohls, Target, Walmart, or Amazon?  After Christmas, the 'unfit' toys QVC could not sell will end up as 'free after Crazy Deals at Ocean State Job Lot.  I can hope, right?

 

 

Edited September 8 by len_mullen

[setlok73]

I think the deals will be substantial to try and make up for some of the pull back.  But they start the deals so early and spread them out for so long its hard to see what all is available.  

 

I have seen in my own family a big shift.  My kids are trying to downsize and not have have so much "stuff" so obviously the spending slows.  Which is great! But I think this is happening across the country and it is going to impact revenue.

[Hubbalance]

I feel like the deals won't be as good. Prices have already been raised so much so any delas won't really be deals. I hope that you all are more right than me though. 

[bribri25]

On 9/10/2025 at 8:01 AM, Hubbalance said:

I feel like the deals won't be as good. Prices have already been raised so much so any delas won't really be deals. I hope that you all are more right than me though. 

Agree with this wholeheartedly. Most things on my wish list have now incurred tariffs and any 20% discount will just bring it back to the regular price it was 8 months ago. 

[cllehto]

I think prices will be high due to terrifs and increased costs for just about everything. 

 

I think retailers will order fewer things but people will be afraid of spending much so even though the sales have probably already started, the biggest deals will be close to or right after Christmas when retailers want to get rid of stuff.

 

I think any must have toys will sell out fast and be hard to get....but fewer because most people won't be able to afford some of them, especially the new tech toys. I think people will be more willing to wait for bigger deals when newer stuff comes out and retailers will not mark them down as much.

[rwking75]

At this point, who doesn't have a 55"-75" or larger smart TV? Who doesn't have a PC/Laptop? And since Tariffs are jacking up prices, are these electronics still going to be the "Big Ticket" items that people used to camp out for? I see the 3rd party and re-sale market being the only marketplace that will see an increase in sales compared to last year.  

[ilikefree]

I look for a lot of online deal days like what Amazon and Walmart already have, but I honestly don't look for great deals. As we've seen in the past few years, I think the sales will be for the same things we always see with no great savings.

[berry1014]

I agree with many above ... seems like every year it's the same items on sale and the sale prices get worse each year. We have no need for TV, gaming consoles, laptops etc. I do miss the cheap DVDs and yes I still buy and watch movies on DVD. 

[tinkrbel]

I feel like more of the usual the last few years, sales where it's really just stores increasing prices up to the day and day reducing them to normal or just under. Here's hoping for a decent TV deal

[Hubbalance]

On 9/17/2025 at 8:16 AM, berry1014 said:

I agree with many above ... seems like every year it's the same items on sale and the sale prices get worse each year. We have no need for TV, gaming consoles, laptops etc. I do miss the cheap DVDs and yes I still buy and watch movies on DVD. 

 

My kid watches DVDs when we are road trips. I miss super cheap DVDs too.

[Kanyon71]

I had read somewhere (can’t remember where) that with all these streaming services having high prices and raising them all the time that physical media is actually starting to see a gain again. 

[mommy2twingles]

I'm at the point where I am just buying if I see a decent deal. Most of what is on my list won't have sales for BF. Hopefully by the end of the October sales I will be done with the exception of gift cards. 

[Tigger97498]

On 9/24/2025 at 10:39 AM, mommy2twingles said:

I'm at the point where I am just buying if I see a decent deal. Most of what is on my list won't have sales for BF. Hopefully by the end of the October sales I will be done with the exception of gift cards. 

Oh i tried that then my family decided we're getting together for Christmas in Jan this year and no gifts so now im out the money!

[cllehto]

On 9/27/2025 at 7:27 AM, Tigger97498 said:

Oh i tried that then my family decided we're getting together for Christmas in Jan this year and no gifts so now im out the money!

Save the gifts for birthday gifts or next year's Christmas gifts. But keep them handy because every gathering I've gone to has some who bring gifts even when it's a no gift party. So you might still need some.

[len_mullen]

19 hours ago, cllehto said:

Save the gifts for birthday gifts or next year's Christmas gifts. But keep them handy because every gathering I've gone to has some who bring gifts even when it's a no gift party. So you might still need some.

 

Gift cards are good backup for a 'no gift' party.  It's also not a bad idea to put wrapped great gifts that would appeal to many/most/all in a bag in your trunk.  Along with gift tags and a permanent marker.  Be sure to keep a list of which is which.

[cllehto]

10 minutes ago, len_mullen said:

 

Gift cards are good backup for a 'no gift' party.  It's also not a bad idea to put wrapped great gifts that would appeal to many/most/all in a bag in your trunk.  Along with gift tags and a permanent marker.  Be sure to keep a list of which is which.

That's a good idea.