The January sales might seem like a great time to snag a bargain as retailers cut their prices. Research by Barclaycard showed Britons are expected to spend £4.6billion in the post-festive sales – a two per cent drop on 2023 levels.
But it is vital for shoppers to do their research before making a purchase if they want big savings on must-have items. A few simple tips can help you successfully navigate the January sales and land yourself some great deals.
Here are my top tips to navigate the January sales
1) Be a savvy shopper
You’re only saving money if you’ve done your homework, know it’s a genuine discount, and would have bought it anyway.
Use tools like Amazon’s price tracker (CamelCamelCamel), or check other retailers with sites like PriceHistory.co.uk and PriceSpy.co.uk to verify price history. For larger purchases over £100, pay with a credit card to take advantage of Section 75 consumer protection.
It’s also important to check the return and exchange policies on sale items to make sure your bargain doesn’t turn into an unreturnable purchase.
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Jane Hawkes is sharing how people can take advantage of the January sales
GETTY / JANE HAWKES
2) Earn cashback
You can get extra savings on sales items by shopping through websites like TopCashback.co.uk.
Shoppers should also be on the lookout for discount codes on VoucherCodes.co.uk, or search for terms like “discount” or “voucher” online.
The Google Shopping tab is also a great way to compare prices across a variety of products.
Online shoppers are on the lookout for the best deals
GETTY
3) Create online accounts
Set up accounts with your favourite retailers to take advantage of introductory offers and ensure you don’t miss out on the best deals.
Many companies offer a 10 per cent discount for first time shoppers and give registered customers additional discounts even on sale items.
4) Leave items in your basket
Add your desired items to your online cart but don’t check out immediately. Many stores will send reminder emails with incentives to complete your purchase.
5) Shop for next year’s Christmas gifts
The January sales are an excellent time to pick up discounted gifts for next Christmas.
With so many gift options at reduced prices, now’s the perfect time to stock up. Don’t forget to grab next year’s wrapping paper, cards and decorations while you’re at it.
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Britons are taking advantage of the January sales
PA
6) Use gift vouchers
Many people hold on to their gift vouchers longer than they should, but this can be risky.
If a company goes into administration, gift vouchers become worthless, and there’s no consumer protection like there is with cash.
While you can try to claim money back from liquidators, there’s no guarantee you’ll get anything.
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