Black Friday has officially come Down Under, and Aussies are diving in headfirst. After all, who doesn’t love massive discounts and huge savings before the holiday season?
But this year, it’s about more than just bragging rights from bagging a bargain. With rising costs everywhere you look, Black Friday sales are becoming the best time for savvy shoppers to flex how well they can gift without breaking the bank.
According to Afterpay’s recent insights from their Unwrapped Report: 2024 was the year of “shopping smart”, with a whopping 44% of Australians planning to snag their Christmas gifts early with Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings. Holiday gifting, but with a bit of strategy - now that’s the festive spirit!
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With Black Friday sales starting earlier each year (where has the year gone?!), we’re here to help you get a jump start on your shopping.
Let’s be honest, nothing kills the buzz like a slow internet connection when you’re on a shopping spree. Don’t let lag ruin your Black Friday sales – check out our page for NBN Black Friday deals, when available, and make sure your shopping cart gets checked out at lightning speed.
Scroll on for our top Black Friday shopping tips, scams to watch out for, and everything you need to know about the world’s favourite excuse to shop ‘til you drop.
A quick history lesson on Black Friday
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is an annual event that kicks off on the fourth Friday of November originally ‘celebrated’ the day after Thanksgiving in the US. Though Black Friday may have roots stateside, it’s now a worldwide phenomenon that signals the start of holiday spending – turning shopping carts everywhere into sleighs packed with deals and early holiday cheer.
Why is it called ‘Black Friday’?
Back in the 1950s, Philadelphia cops coined the term to describe the chaos and congestion caused by hordes of tourists flooding the city before the Army-Navy football game. Meanwhile, local shopkeepers were using it to describe the chaos of long lines and the shopping madness that took over their stores. The city’s marketers and shop owners even tried to rebrand it as “Big Friday” in 1961 – but the name ‘Black Friday’ just stuck.
When did Black Friday start in Australia?
By the mid-'80s, Black Friday had spread across the US, but it wasn’t until 2013 that it started making waves in the UK. And who should lead the charge in Australia? None other than Apple. Since then, retailers Down Under have fully embraced the term, and Australian shoppers? Well, they’ve embraced the huge savings – and the chaos – just as eagerly.
Black Friday sales dates and early deals
This year, Black Friday’s “official” sales dates will start on 27 November. The major sales event typically starts on Friday and runs throughout the weekend, but some retailers love to share the love with early deals and extended sales periods. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift or just treating yourself (we won’t judge), there’s plenty of time to snap up incredible deals and jumpstart your holiday shopping.
Curious about your favourite brands’ Black Friday deals? Head to their website for all the details, including how long their sale is running.
Smart Black Friday sales shopping tips
Curate a wish list of your favourite products
Don’t go in blind. Make a wish list of things you really need (or want) before the sales start. This will keep you from falling into the impulse-buy trap that turns your cart into a mess of random stuff you won’t use. Once you’ve got your list down, you’ll know which stores and websites to hit first and which to skip – saving you from those unnecessary and pricey splurges.
Check website deals & get paid to shop
Get paid for shopping online. Shopback websites like Cashrewards and ShopBack pay you a percentage for what you purchase when you buy through their tracked links. They’re also known to offer special deals with your favourite retailers – like Nike, ASOS, The Iconic, Estee Lauder, Net-a-Porter, David Jones and many more.
From tech deals to fashion favourites, and home appliances to gaming consoles, popular deal hubs like these can point you to the best of Black Friday, while putting money back into your pocket. Don’t forget to shop around as well – big-name retailers like Dyson, The Good Guys and Adore Beauty – could have exclusive offers (and additional gifts) you won’t see anywhere else.
Follow your favourites and sign up for email
Get social. Follow your favourite shops and brands on social media for sneak peeks into their Black Friday 2024 sales. Sign up for email notifications and you’ll get an instant sales alert. Or if you’re lucky, you could even get first dibs on deals with an early access link dropping into your inbox.
Some major brands will only put a certain number of big-ticket items on sale, so early access is the key to scoring a popular product on your wish list before it’s gone. Remember the hottest deals go fast so you want to stay in the loop.
Shop in-store and online
The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat – but there’s lots to love in-store too. Some seasoned savvy shoppers swear that the most significant discounts are found in-store.
On the other hand, online shopping lets you browse, research, compare and add to your cart, anytime and anywhere. Shop 24/7 – whether you're in the car, eating lunch at work or cosy on the couch in your favourite pyjamas.
Our trick to scoring the best Black Friday deals? Don't stick to online only and mix it up.
Maximise your Christmas shopping on Black Friday sales
Get your list, and check it twice. Black Friday deals are the perfect time to start planning your strategy for the Christmas shopping season. Snag presents for your loved ones, buy a White Santa gift and spoil yourself – all while keeping your wallet happy. Plus, if you’re shopping online, ordering in November means there’s a better chance of receiving your gifts in time to wrap it up and pop it under the tree.
Start early, shop smart and get ready to be the best gift-giver these holidays – you’ll be shopping for Christmas like a pro.
Black Friday beware: Things to look out for during the sales season
Scam websites
Beware of the Black Friday fakers. Cyber scammers know that shoppers are hunting for the best deals – and so they might be ready with convincing replicas of legitimate sites.
Miss the small details – like a slightly off URL or an unfamiliar design – and you might unknowingly hand over your login details. Once scammers gain access, they can swipe your card info, lock you out or attempt identity theft.
Stay sharp and double-check those URLs before you click. Does a deal look too good to be true? Make sure to research online before purchasing from any unknown websites.
Phishing emails
Phishing emails are sneaky – they’re built to look eerily like they’re from a trustworthy source (like your bank or favourite store), tricking you into sharing personal info. Often, they’ll ask you to "verify" details, hoping you’ll hand over login credentials, card numbers, or passwords without a second thought.
One quick way to spot a fake? Check the URL in your browser’s bar. Look for subtle changes in the domain name like misspellings or extra characters. For example, an “rn” could look like an “m” at a glance.
Interest-free offers
Big ticket items with interest-free payment options? Tempting right? While these offers aren’t scams, it’s crucial to read the fine print before opting for these offers. Like all Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products, these deals can make debt feel too easy—and missing a payment or defaulting on a direct debit could lead to steep interest charges. If you're considering it, make sure you’re clear on the terms to keep your finances stress-free.
Subscription-based Black Friday offers
It’s not just about one-and-done deals – there are plenty of subscription-based offers too. From mobile phone plans, NBN plans and website options, there are plenty of Black Friday offers to take advantage of. Make sure to double-check the terms and conditions and timing of these offers so you don’t get any sneaky surprises down the road.
Terms and conditions on sale products
Sale items can often come with extra fine print and unique return policies. While some Black Friday deals are too good to pass up, they could come with restrictions like no refunds or exchanges. Make sure to look closely at the terms to avoid any surprises if the item doesn’t meet your expectations. Always know what you’re getting into before hitting that buy button!
Supercharge your Black Friday shopping with fast internet
Don’t let slow internet derail your Black Friday shopping spree. When it comes to snapping up the best deals, every second counts – and buffering is the last thing you need. Superloop’s fast, reliable internet plans keep things smooth, so you can browse, add to cart and checkout with ease. With the NBN rolling out Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) to more suburbs, now’s the time to upgrade to a fast internet plan.
Save more with Superloop’s NBN and SIM plan bundles
The more Superloop services you add, the bigger your savings. With our NBN and SIM plan bundles, you can save up to $15 off your monthly broadband bill just by combining our services.
Add an eligible 5G SIM Plans and see your internet costs drop. Whether streaming, scrolling or shopping, you can count on Superloop for fast connection wherever you are.
Black Friday deals wait for no one, so make sure your internet can keep up. Experience smoother online shopping today with a Superloop NBN plan.
