With 2020 coming to a close, it’s that time of the year again—holiday shopping season. Unfortunately, some eager shoppers might have procrastinated a bit too much, leading to empty shelves and out-of-stock items. But while their delays might have been a disadvantage, they’re not completely out of luck yet. Many retailers are offering last-minute deals for procrastinators who are looking to finish up some of their holiday shopping, as well as a few potential pitfalls to watch out for.
For starters, online retailers are offering discounted shipping to entice procrastinators in the final stretch of the holiday shopping season. Retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target and others are offering free next-day shipping on orders placed before deadlines noted just a few days before the holiday. This can be a lifesaver for procrastinators who weren’t able to get certain items before they sold out in stores.
Of course, procrastinators should also watch out for online retailers hiking up prices for high-demand items. Many stores go into an “all hands on deck” operation closer to the holidays, where the price of desired items can suddenly surge in response to overwhelming demand. With this in mind, it’s advisable to keep an eye out for sudden changes in prices and look for alternate purchasing options if possible.
In addition, another popular tactic used by retailers in response to increased demand are flash sales, otherwise known as lightning deals. To keep this trend alive, many stores are offering limited-edition products with discounts for procrastinators. With the additional dimension of timing, they’re a great strategy for retailers to boost sales in the final days of the season.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind is that some late purchases might not make it to their desired destination in time, no matter how appealing an offer might seem. This is because some stores tend to overbook the amount of shipments they can actually fulfill, risking orders of not arriving up until after the holiday. Procrastinators should keep an eye out for these stories to avoid wasted time and money.
All in all, the holidays are an important time of the year for retailers, with a surge of sales opportunities for those who procrastinated somewhat this year. That being said, procrastinators should stay vigilant and carefully examine offers and deadlines to avoid any last-minute surprises. After all, procrastinators may sometimes win big, or at least get some great deals if they’re lucky.