This is one of the most important posts of the entire year. Black Friday Week is the biggest opportunity window for us sellers, In my opinion, it is the strongest week of the year for sourcing, closely followed by Prime Days. The volume of deals, price drops and retailer promotions during this period is unmatched.
Black Friday is not just a single day. It is a structured sequence of sales that build in intensity. Understanding this structure and preparing for it properly is what will determine how well you perform in Q4.
The Structure of Black Friday Sales
Black Friday can be separated into four phases:
1. Black Friday Month
This is where we are right now. Sales are already running across major retailers. You should be sourcing heavily during this period. Many retailers use the entire month to run discounts and early promotions, and these can be just as profitable as the main event.
2. Black Friday Week
This is where the sales noticeably step up. Around the Monday of Black Friday Week, you will see a clear increase in promotions, this is the warm up phase that leads into the biggest day.
3. Black Friday (the actual day)
This is the most intense and profitable day of the entire year for online arbitrage. This is where the biggest price drops happen and the largest number of opportunities appear in the shortest amount of time.
4. Cyber Monday
Deals continue through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. The volume is lower than Black Friday itself, but there are still strong opportunities, especially in electronics, toys, gift sets and branded goods and anything from Black Friday sale.
Retailers to Focus On
During Black Friday Month and Week, you should be watching:
- Argos
- Currys
- John Lewis
- Superdrug
- Smyths
- The Entertainer
- Fragrance Shop
- Notino
- AO
- Costco online
- All major brand websites running their own Black Friday campaigns
Alongside these, smaller independent retailers decent deals that are picked up by price monitors and newsletters. These are often less saturated and have great opportunities.
Product Types That Perform Well
During this period, focus heavily on:
- Toys
- Fragrances
- Gift sets
- Electronics
- Kitchen items
- Seasonal gifting items
- Personal care and beauty
If it can be gifted, it usually performs well. Black Friday is not just about electronics. Many household essentials and everyday branded goods get deeply discounted. This was all covered in a blog previously when covering Q4 strategies.
Strategy for Maximising Black Friday Week
Use Newsletters
Sign up for newsletters from all major retailers. They announce deals early and often release discount codes.
Use Price Drop Monitors
Keep your monitors active and watch for rapid price movements. This includes Amazon to Amazon drops and retailer price drops.
Use HotUKDeals
Check HotUKDeals several times per day.
Check Your Sourcing Tool
Check your sourcing tool frequently, deals will be showing on price drops all day.
Use Your VA Effectively
If you have a VA, put them on Black Friday sourcing the entire week. Their job should be:
- Monitoring sales
- Monitoring retailers
- Manually Sourcing Sites
- Manually Sourcing newsletters
On Black Friday Itself
Do not leave your computer, do not plan anything for the day, source the entire day. This is the most productive sourcing day of the year. Deals come through constantly, and the sellers who stay on it will see the biggest return.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday Week is the biggest sourcing window of the year. If you approach it correctly, it can really push your pre Xmas sales. You should be preparing now, increasing your sourcing, watching every retailer, and staying fully alert. This week can set up your entire Q4 and, in many cases, significantly boost Q1’s profits.
