Monday, December 2, 2013

Happy Cyber Monday!

I'm just going to be honest here. Cyber Monday this year feels like a bit of a sham. Almost every single retailer started their Black Friday deals last week and they are valid through today. So not much NEW happened today in the world of sales. Sure, you can find random new things that are discounted today on sites like Amazon and Toys R Us, but in general, most of the sales are 3-days old now. So unless you were otherwise occupied this weekend, you've already been-there-done-that, right? Just look at this promo image from Amazon.ca - Cyber Monday is apparently a whole "week" now. 


How can you fault retailers though? The line between bricks-and-mortar and online retail is not only blurred, it's officially gone. Wouldn't you, as a consumer, be super annoyed if you could buy something online at The Gap today for 40% off, but if you took the trouble to drive all the way to the mall, find parking, walk to the store, and wait in line, you then had to pay full price? Exactly. Customer Service nightmare. 

What I am most curious to see now that Canada has officially forayed into the world of Black Friday/Cyber Monday, is what that means for our beloved national Boxing Day on December 26th. Did inventories get significantly depleted this weekend so that there won't be much left by then? Retailers are running inventories leaner than ever the past couple of years, so if you're holding out til Boxing Day to buy that cashmere sweater in size XS once it's marked down to 50%, my guess is that you'll be completely out of luck Sista. I'm betting on empty shelves in stores and "out of stock" notices online. 

Bottom line: if you like it, buy it now. And if I'm wrong, I'll be the first to let you say you told me so. But I really don't think I am.



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