Holiday Shopping 2012 Predictions

 Interested in knowing what is in store for the 2012 holiday shopping season? Check out these interesting predictions to plan your shopping.

1. Overall Holiday sales will rise modestly – Holiday sales will rise from 3.5% to 4% this season, with total sales rising from $920 billion to $925 billion.
2. “Non-store” sales will rise – Non-store sales, which consists of catalogs, tv, and online shopping, will rise 15%-17% this season.
3. Luxury spending will soar – 53% of consumers plan on purchasing 1 luxury item this year
4. Interest in electronics and Black Friday will fade – Many consumers are already equipped with the lastest electronic, and are able to find deals before and after Black Friday.
5. Amazon – Amazon announced its Black Friday sales 24 hours in advance last year, and engaged in showrooming which allows people to browse items in a physical store before buying them on Amazon. This is expected to happen again this year.
6. Retailers will fight showrooming – Retailers will try to convince showrooming shoppers to make on-the-spot purchases. Retailers that welcome smartphone shoppers will increase sales.
7. Gift cards, Apparel Sales, and Regifting – Sales in gift cards will rise 4% this year, with increases in clothing sales as well. Downloadable gifts such as movies and itunes will promote no-wrapping. Regifting will happen more this year, with 32% of people saying it is okay compared to last year’s 25%.

Fore more information on What’s in Store for Holiday Shopping 2012? visit Brad Tuttle’s article from TIME’s Moneyand.

What to buy in October

 With all the hustle and bustle right between back-to-school shopping, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, it is difficult to know if consumers are getting the best bang for their buck. Check out this list by Mark Di Vincenzo from TIME’s Moneyland before you make a purchase this October:

1. Shop Online – The weekend before Halloween has the best deals on clothes and electronics, with savings up to 30% off.
2. Buy a 2012 car – September and October have the best selection of 2012 cars at a deal because car lots are trying to make room for 2013 cars. Wait until November/December and risk fewer options.
3. Buy jeans – Back-to-school jeans that haven’t sold by October are discounted as much as 40%.
4. Buy camping gear – Camping gear that didn’t sell during the peak camping season will be on sale in October. Look for sales on tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, and hiking gear.
5. Beware of diamonds – October offers the best selection of diamonds but with the highest prices.
6. Produce – Produce is offered at a great price if it is in season. The abundance of fruit and vegetables will be put on sale so it won’t rot. Here are the fruits and veggies that are in season this month: apples, cranberries, honeydew melons, oranges, peaches, Bartlett pears, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and spinach.
7. Travel Deals – Airfare and hotels are cheaper for more diverse locations because summer is over. The different weather also means fewer tourists.
8. Health – Get your flu shot in October and it should protect you through much of the flu season. The shot is $30 and insurance typically pays for flu shots. Clinics could give it for free.

For more information, see Moneyland’s article What to Buy in October.