DealNews Releases its 2014 Black Friday Predictions

DealNews 2014 Black Friday Predictions (Graphic: Business Wire)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--()--As the busiest shopping day of the year approaches, DealNews, the leading deal-tracking resource in the United States, today released its 2014 Black Friday Predictions report, which provides practical shopping advice and price benchmarks to help consumers save money this Black Friday season. DealNews’ seventh annual report forecasts prices for a variety of the season’s hottest consumer electronics and popular products timed for Black Friday.

DealNews editors analyzed up to three years of archived deal data to predict prices for select Apple products, beauty, clothing, gaming and toys, HDTVs, home goods, laptops, smartphones, streaming, and tablets. In the 2013 predictions report, 74% of DealNews’ forecasts were accurately priced within 10% of the actual cost.

Here are a few key excerpts from this year’s report:

Apple

  • Free shipping with no minimum purchase at the online Apple Store.
  • Apple Store purchases will come with a free gift card.
  • Authorized resellers will offer discounts of up to 33% off Apple products.
  • Previous-generation MacBook Air for $699.
  • iPhone 6 for $99 (50% off) with contract.
  • iPad Air 16GB for $429.
  • First-generation iPad mini for $199, Retina mini for $299.

Gaming and Toys

  • Minor discounts on new consoles: Wii U for $250; PS4 for $340; Xbox One with Kinect for $370.
  • New video games for Xbox 360 and PS3: 30% to 60% off, or about $25.
  • New video games for Xbox One and PS4 (like Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare or Alien: Isolation): 25% to 35% off.
  • Up to 85% off toys, a high percentage will be Editors' Choice caliber.

HDTVs

  • The best doorbuster value this year will be 60" LCD TVs: Look for prices as low as $420.
  • Prices on smaller TVs have bottomed out; 42", 46", and 47" TVs can't get much cheaper.

Laptops

  • Budget laptops will hit rock-bottom prices at $178.
  • Mainstream laptops will drop to $325.
  • Trendy ultraportable laptops will provide the most bang-for-your-buck at $450.

Smartphones

  • Look for free or near-free Android phone deals to start two weeks before Black Friday.

Clothing

  • The best sales will start on Thanksgiving or even Wednesday, taking up to 70% off.
  • The best coupons will take an extra 50% off, and most will stack with clearance sales.
  • Expect free shipping on all Black Friday online orders.

Streaming

  • Roku 1 for $35, Roku 3 for $79.
  • Apple TV for $78, but also full-price deals paired with a $25 gift card.
  • Google Chromecast for $19.
  • Amazon Fire TV for $75.

Beauty

  • Major beauty brands like The Body Shop will offer a deluxe tote bag with full-size products (retailing for about $100 to $200) for about $25 with minimum purchases.
  • About 33% of all beauty deals will be marked Editors' Choice.
  • Perfume merchants will offer deluxe samples with any order.
  • Amazon and Walmart will compete for the best discounts on electric shavers.

The DealNews 2014 Black Friday Predictions report also includes buying advice, shopping tips, and other projected deals on tablets and home goods.

To view the full 2014 Black Friday Predictions report, visit http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/.

Methodology

For its Black Friday predictions, DealNews uses up to three years of historical data based on deals listed on DealNews.com. Using that data, the DealNews team extrapolates expected sales during the Black Friday season by applying current trends to historical Black Friday price drops. In so doing, the company corrects for anomalies such as outliers and disruptive new technologies that influence pricing trends.

More ways to connect with DealNews:

About DealNews

DealNews.com is the premier year-round resource for online deals on consumer electronics, gadgets, computers, apparel, and more. Named one of the best services by PC World and best shopping site by MSN Money, DealNews’ mission is to inform consumers of the best online bargains offered by trustworthy stores. DealNews relies on a team of expert editors and proprietary research tools to uncover more than 200 of the web’s hottest deals every day. Founded in 1997, DealNews is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with offices in New York City and Dublin, Ireland.

Contacts

MEDIA:
DealNews
Mark LoCastro, 718-618-4050 x 1101
Director of Public Relations
Press@DealNews.com

Release Summary

To make the most of Black Friday, you must prepare. DealNews’ 7th annual report forecasts prices for a variety of the season’s hottest consumer electronics and popular products timed for Black Friday.

Contacts

MEDIA:
DealNews
Mark LoCastro, 718-618-4050 x 1101
Director of Public Relations
Press@DealNews.com