November 19, 2025
WalletHub recently published an interview featuring Sandra King, Lecturer of Marketing, on how shoppers can navigate the overwhelming wave of Black Friday promotions.
While the day is known for deep discounts, King explains that consumer savvy has increased, making it harder for retailers to pass off modest markdowns as major deals. She also notes that the timing of the “best” bargains is far less predictable than many assume, with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other sale days offering shifting advantages each year.
To stay focused and avoid unnecessary spending, King emphasizes a practical approach:
“Only buy what you need. Wants can wait for better deals. Monitor preferred sites and make purchases the last hour or two of the day,” she advises.
She adds that while electronics often dominate Black Friday hype, some of the strongest values can actually be found in everyday essentials, like detergent or toilet paper, which retailers frequently use as loss-leader items.
