Shopping experts have revealed their top tips for how to get the best bargains in the post-Christmas sales to The Mirror. From how to find extra savings and deals to stopping yourself from impulse purchases plus all the newest shopping scams you need to watch out for here is all you need to know
This year’s Boxing Day sales are set to give the high street a much-needed boost after three years of decline.
It is predicted £3.73billion will be spent on the day itself, with in-store purchases making up £2.57bn and £1.16bn in online sales, according to VoucherCodes. Anita Naik, savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, said: “This year is the first year since 2021 that Boxing Day sales are forecast to rise, which I’m sure is music to retailers’ ears. Bricks-and-mortar sales are set to account for the largest share of sales, giving the high street a generous boost.”
Kris Hamer, of the British Retail Consortium, said: “This is much needed after a challenging year which has been marked by low consumer confidence and weak sales growth.” If you’re among those planning to hit the sales this year, we have you covered with our expert guide.
1. Do your research
Whether you’re shopping online or heading to stores, it’s important to shop around for the best price before buying. We recommend checking a few sites to find the best deal or using websites such as PriceSpy and CamelCamelCamel, which check the historic price of items, so you know if the savings you’re making is actually a good deal.
2. Do stack your discounts
Keep an eye out for discount codes and rewards you can use on top of the sale price for even bigger savings, for example VoucherCodes.co.uk flags any offers that can be used on top of a sale with its ‘works with sale’ tag making it quicker and easier for you to find the very best price.
3. Do prioritise certain items
It can be easy to get carried away with the sales, so prioritise items you have been waiting to purchase and buy them first as this can help you stick to a budget and avoid impulse spending.
4. Do use a credit card for purchases over £100 if you can
You will be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if things go wrong, as this gives protection to be able to claim against your bank or lender if you buy goods or services that don’t meet expectations.
5. Do look for cashback opportunities
Amy Knight, personal finance expert at NerdWallet, says: “Platforms like TopCashback and Quidco partner with retailers to offer cashback on purchases, effectively reducing the price. While the percentage may be small, used consistently this tactic can help you spend less.” Some current accounts and credit cards also offer cashback, for Monzo current account customers can benefit from new cashback offers every month, which can be activated in the app and used in store or online.
6. Don’t be rushed into a purchase
Amy adds: Boxing Day sales first started so that retailers could clear old or discontinued stock, and sales continue into January until the stock is gone. Don’t let the ‘rush mentality’ of sales lead you into spending more than you can afford. Instead, take time to think over each purchase and decide whether this is an impulse buy or something you’ve budgeted for.”
7. Don’t fall for a scam
Vonny Gamot, of online protection company McAfee, says: “Unfortunately as the offers start to roll out, so do fake deals and scams, as cybercriminals attempt to cash in on the rush to purchase discounted products. “As advances in AI help to create more convincing and sophisticated scams, it’s getting harder and harder for shoppers to tell the difference between a good deal and a fake one. However, many online scams, whether AI-generated or not, will play on emotions with a sense of urgency in their message, so it’s important to look out for this sign.”
8. Do always buy items directly from the seller
Vonny advises: “Avoid clicking any links in emails or texts purporting to be from specific retailers and above all, go directly to the seller’s website or app to make any purchases, check the status of orders or to verify any account issues.
9. Do look for ‘bundle’ deals
Financial expert Emmanuel Asuquo, of OnestopSave, says many stores run bundle deals on tech. He explains: “Instead of buying a TV on its own, look for bundles that come with soundbars or accessories. The total cost is often cheaper than buying the items separately.”
10. Do plan for next Christmas
Emmanuel says Boxing Day is the time to buy next year’s Christmas essentials. He adds: “Get your Christmas wrapping paper, decorations, and gift sets from stores where they slash seasonal items by up to 75%. Trust me, your future self will thank you.”
