Cyber Monday
The 6 Best Categories to Shop on Cyber Monday
This year, more people turned to online shopping than ever before, and there are no signs of things slowing down on the digital front. Spending was curbed at the beginning of the year for obvious reasons, but I’m expecting a big Cyber Monday as everyone looks to get their holiday shopping completed in one pass. To help you prepare for Cyber Monday, I’ve put together a breakout of the six best categories to shop on Cyber Monday in 2020.
Which categories will have the best Cyber Monday deals?
Laptops and computers
It wouldn’t be Cyber Monday without some serious deals on electronics, and this year is no exception. Sure, you’ll see laptops, tablets and PCs on sale for Black Friday, but I’m still expecting the biggest deals on Cyber Monday. Expect stores to build upon their deals as we lead up to the shopping holidays and save the best for last over the holiday shopping weekend.
Smart home
I predicted that smart home products would see some big discounts in my coverage for Black Friday, and I’m expecting the same for Cyber Monday. I don’t think the deals will necessarily be better on one holiday versus the other. However, I do think we’ll see some variation in which products are discounted and any packages that are offered by manufacturers or stores. For instance, Google is bundling its new Chromecast, Nest audio speakers and Nest Hubs together in some interesting ways. I’m anticipating the same for Apple and other big smart home companies. Set up alerts for your favorite stores and pay attention to what they’re offering as we head toward Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Clothing, shoes and accessories
It’s no surprise that brick-and-mortar retailers have faced an uphill battle since the start of the year. With foot traffic down and the absence of in-store doorbusters on clothing, shoes and accessories, I’m expecting stores like Old Navy, Kohl’s and Target to have some serious Cyber Monday sales to make up for the lack of store activity. Pay attention to big discounts on name brands, but house brands could have deeper discounts.
Mattresses
In the past five years, the online mattress market has exploded. Mattress stores were already experiencing a decline before the pandemic, but current events have more demand than ever for this category. With digital-first mattress companies competing for your dollars, I’m expecting great deals on mattresses and accessories for Cyber Monday. If you’re in the market for new place to lay your head, this is your chance to save. We purchased a mattress from Tuft and Needle with Rakuten earlier this year, and the entire process was seamless from start to finish. The mattresses are shipped in a relatively compact box directly to your doorstep and setup only takes a few minutes. I’d highly recommend trying it out.
TVs
Everyone thinks the best TV deals are on Black Friday, but there are some great discounts to be had if you’re patient and can wait until Cyber Monday. If you’re eyeing a certain 4K TV, then by all means go ahead and pick it up as soon as you can. But, if you’re just in the market for a new TV and are letting price drive your decision, then Cyber Monday is one of the best times to get a new television. First, many people have already made their purchase as of Black Friday so you should have less competition on limited discounts. Second, stores often use Black Friday performance to drive decisions on Cyber Monday discounts, especially flash sales. Sometimes, patience pays off.
Subscription services
Are you interested in music streaming, audiobook, health, beauty and wellness or even food subscriptions? Cyber Monday is your time to save big and finally commit to the subscription you’ve been eyeing. All of the services will be competing for your attention, so you’re bound to see some big deals this year. If you’re shopping for someone on your holiday list, a pre-paid subscription is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Get Cash Back on HelloFresh, Birch Box, Apple Books, Disney+ and more.
Should I buy on Black Friday or wait until Cyber Monday?
You might be wondering if you should buy during Black Friday or hold out until Cyber Monday for the best deals. To be honest, Cyber Monday and Black Friday are going to blend together this year into a “Cyber Weekend,” with an emphasis on online shopping and a decrease of in-store promotions. Plus, I’m seeing that November has really turned into a month of deals unlike years past. That being said, I do think the best deals in the categories above will be had during Cyber Monday and you’ll see discounts get better and better until Cyber Monday has come and gone. At the end of the day, it might pay to wait.
No matter what, you should make sure you’re signed up for Rakuten before you do any shopping. It’s free to join and you’ll earn Cash Back on your already discounted purchases. Sign up now and get familiar with the website so you’re ready to shop when it’s time.
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