Admit it: you’re the kind of shopper who waits until the last minute to get it all done. You figure inspiration will hit and you’ll finally feel inspired to score the perfect gift for your mother, father, partner, and every friend you’ve had since grade school — and if you just wait long enough, bam, great gift ideas will come to you. You can rest easy because Super Saturday, otherwise known as Panic Saturday, is an actual shopping day — and it’s a protagonist’s dream come true.
On the last Saturday before the Christmas holiday, which falls on Dec. 22 this year, retailers gear up for the last big shopping day of the season, which officially started on Black Friday. Because shops know there are always shoppers who are late to the game, many retailers use this day to feature one-day sales. They may also offer extended store hours and, if you search popular coupon sites, you’ll no doubt find many that offer discounts on everything from electronics to attire and even food (because hungry shoppers need fuel).
We’re still weeks out from Super Saturday, but if you already plan on waiting until you can’t wait any longer to shop for gifts, here are some facts about the day to keep in mind.
Super Saturday Is Even Busier Than Black Friday
You may think Black Friday holds the distinction of busiest shopping day, and perhaps you even avoid the madness of malls on that day for that very reason. But, according to a survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, 66 percent of Americans planned to hit shops on last year’s Super Saturday. That can mean great things for you if you want to score deals because you can be sure retailers are going to be very competitive with pricing on this day. But, if you’re the sort of shopper who can’t stand crowds, you might be better off staying home in your pajamas and searching online for Super Saturday sales.
With That Said — Most Of The Best Sales Might Be In Stores
Look, few of us want to peel ourselves off the couch in December and go to an actual store when our computers and credit cards are within reach. But if you’re out to find the best deals possible, experts say Black Friday sales are offered both online and in stores, but the lowest prices you’ll find on Super Saturday will probably be at your local mall.
Black Friday Retailers Will Probably Offer Super Saturday Sales
You won’t be able to get a glimpse at Super Saturday sales for a few weeks, but pay close attention to the retailers that are marking down merchandise on Black Friday — because they’ll likely be the same ones offering deals right before Christmas. In the past, these retailers have included huge names like Toys R Us, Walmart, Kohl’s, and Macy’s.
Hold Off Buying Toys Until Super Saturday (If You Can)
The thought of procrastinating on purchasing toys for young children is absolutely frightening —no one wants to disappoint those sweet little faces. But whereas Black Friday’s best deals include marked down electronics, many toy retailers slash prices on toys right before Christmas. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense: the demand for all of those toys is going to dry right up after the holiday, so take advantage of these great deals when you can.