TAMPA, Fla. — Retail experts say it's smart to start your holiday shopping as early as October because of an expected surge in online ordering due to social distancing trends.
Shopping and trends experts like Sara Skirboll with RetailMeNot said with families being home more often, you can expect families to be purchasing more toys and electronics, as well as office and virtual classroom supplies. This is opposed to trends in previous years where families leaned on more experience-based gifts.
Additionally, with the pandemic causing so many families to stay home more often versus shop in brick-and-mortar stores, Skirboll said more families are planning to shop online this holiday season, which could cause a slow-down in getting your gifts out.
She said it's critical to start getting your holiday shopping lists in place as early as this week to help avoid possible shipping delays.
"Start early," Skirboll said. "Start right now. That way you aren't going to run into any inventory issues or shipping delays."
RetailMeNot also says customers are looking for big deals and discounts this holiday season to cope with financial stress from the pandemic. To score some of the best deals, Skirboll said you have to know when to shop.
She said some of the best days are just two weeks away. Amazon Prime Day is an annual deal event just for Prime members on October 13 and 14, delivering savings on products from small businesses and top brands, according to Amazon.
BEST DEALS | What's already expected to be on sale for Amazon Prime Day
"You'll find great deals not just on Amazon.com, but all of the other retailers are going to get in on the game," Skirboll said.
Those include Amazon's biggest competitors: Target and Walmart.
RetailMeNot says there are plenty of deals to be had, but families need to keep in mind the shopping holidays and events that will deliver the most bang for your buck, including:
1. Amazon Prime Day (67%)
2. Cyber Monday (65%)
3. Black Friday (59%)
4. After Christmas Clearance (34%)
5. Free Shipping Day (32%) are also top days this season
6. RetailMeNot Cash Back Day(November 5-6) (18%)
7. Thanksgiving Day (16%)
8. Panic Saturday (10%)
9. Singles Day (9%)