Prime Day is virtually everywhere, so look beyond Amazon and you might find even better deals! (Photos: Amazon)(Amazon)
My fellow bargain shoppers: Prime Day 2022 is happening as we speak! Amazon’s annual two-day sales marathon rolled into town yesterday and is going strong until midnight PDT on Wednesday, July 13 (yes, that's today!). If you’re looking to save big, but you've barely made a dent yet on day two, you’ll need to fine-tune your plan of attack. We're here to tell you what deals are worth your time, which are still in stock...and which other retailers are getting in on the action.
Yep, this year, Prime Day is not just Amazon's thing. Most of your favorite retailers are hosting their own coinciding sales events — some with even deeper discounts or longer durations — to compete with Amazon's big day. Target’s ‘Deal Days,’ Best Buy’s ‘Black Friday in July,’ Bed Bath & Beyond’s ‘Beyond Big,’ Nordstrom’s ‘Anniversary Sale,’ Ulta’s ‘Summer Sale,' Kohl’s ‘WOW Deals Event’ and Walmart's Anti-Prime Day sale are just a few.
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The one thing all these retailers have in common? A cumulative $45 billion in overstock from orders placed during the supply chain crisis of 2021, when demand was high. “Even retailers that have been notorious for never doing big sales are offering discounts because they have so much inventory that they need to clear out,” says Rakuten’s Retail & Shopping Expert, Kristen Gall. “So it’s a consumer’s market this year.”
Because so many retailers have overstock, there are amazing bargains to be had, but only in certain categories and from certain retailers.
This is Prime Day’s eighth anniversary. In less than a decade, Amazon’s sales extravaganza has become the shopping event of the year for the retailer — dethroning Black Friday, Cyber Monday and every other retail holiday that reigned before it. Prime Day pulled in more than $11 billion in 2021. Prime Day is known for breaking its own revenue record year after year.
Julie Ramhold, Consumer Analyst with DealNews.com, thinks Amazon's streak will continue. “I fully believe this year’s Prime Day will once again outdo last year's, and I would legitimately be surprised if Amazon doesn't report record-breaking numbers again,” she told Yahoo Life. “Even with inflation being a concern, there are going to be deals that are too good for shoppers to pass up.”
Others aren't so sure. Some industry insiders predict fewer purchases for Prime Day 2022 due to skyrocketing inflation. “Shoppers are spending 35% less overall during Prime Day,” Kristin McGrath, savings expert for RetailMeNot, tells Yahoo Life. "Sixty-one percent of adults [say] they are likely to reduce spending this summer due to inflation.”
Only time will tell, but for now, we know these are the top 20 Prime Day best-sellers so far — and here are all the top trending products on all of Amazon. If these wins are any indication, we think shoppers have been unable to stay away these past few days.
Ready to use your power to yield the most savings? McGrath, Ramhold and Gall have offered their expert advice on how to score the best deals at Amazon and all of its competitors this Prime Day.
As savvy shoppers know, Amazon's own line of tech devices are always among Prime Day's brightest stars.
“Generally the best deals [are] on Amazon-owned devices, with Echo Dots and Fire tablets being hugely discounted on Prime Day,” says McGrath of the devices that are 45% and 50% off respectively. “You can look for 55% off select Amazon devices, up to 50% off Fire TVs and more during Prime Day sales."Ring doorbells are discounted heavily for Prime Day, as usual, with savings of up to 35%. The Echo Dot is at its lowest price ever, at $20 (for the 4th generation version).”
Ramhold says to keep an eagle eye out for Fire TVs specifically this year. “Very often Prime Day has an emphasis on the smaller items, but this year Amazon has Fire TV prices starting at only $100, so if you need a new set and can't wait until Black Friday, it's an excellent time to shop.”
Ramhold recommends making a beeline for Amazon Prime Day deals if you’re in the market for small kitchen appliances, like pressure cookers, coffee makers and blenders. “The bulk of deals at Amazon on Prime Day are home and garden items, and other retailers will be likely to price-match Amazon's offers," she says. As predicted, there's a sale on Instant Pots, including the best-selling 7-in-1 model for 35% off. No big surprise here, as the Instant Pot has been a Prime Day superstar since the early days.
“Amazon [also has] select Vitamix blenders for up to 30% off and up to 50% off select Keurig items.”
“Lowe’s is offering competitive sales on appliances during the Prime Day sales window, and shoppers can find deals on washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and dryers from Samsung, LG, Whirlpool and KitchenAid,” says McGrath. “You can find savings of up to 40% off during Lowe’s coinciding summer sale.”
Ramhold recommends keeping your eye on Best Buy, too, for appliances of all sizes, and Target for small kitchen appliances.
“Walmart will have some great markdowns in this category as well,” Gall adds.
Amazon is the spot for gadgets and gizmos galore. “Prime Day is offering some of the best sales in tech and electronics, with discounts on Apple AirPods Pro, Fitbit smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers and home theater systems,” says McGrath.
“If you need new headphones, Amazon is discounting select items from Beats, Sony and JBL by up to 50% off,” adds Ramhold. “Fitness trackers are a category to watch for deals on, as they're in high demand during the summer when consumers are more active because of better weather."
Of course, other retailers are getting in on the game, too. “Best Buy is a great contender for personal tech and electronics deals during Prime Day,” says McGrath. “With Best Buy’s coinciding 'Black Friday in July' sale, shoppers [are seeing] deals available now on 4K TVs, laptops, smartwatches and more from top brands like Fitbit, Sony and LG.”
Gall says to browse Best Buy’s computer, cell phone, camera and headphones categories, too — and to check out Target for TV deals.
Looking to beef up your wardrobe? Amazon Prime Day has a lot to offer. “Shoppers can find steep savings from Amazon’s in-house clothing brands, Amazon Essentials and Goodthreads, for big deals of up to 40% to 50% off back-to-school attire, athleisure and more,” says McGrath.
Gall adds, “Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale and Target have the best deals on clothes, while Zappos is having a huge sale on footwear that consumers should check out.”
The timing of Prime Day’s competing sales coincides with our first (virtually) restriction-free summer since the pandemic struck. That means consumers are expected to make purchases that let them enjoy outdoor gatherings, Gall informed us. “With two months left of hot weather, consumers are still purchasing summer items [like] outdoor furniture,” she says.
Gall says to keep Wayfair on your radar this Prime Day. “Wayfair is offering deep discounts, as they have in previous years, during Prime Day to compete with Amazon’s furniture sales. You will likely score better prices by shopping on their site for all things indoor and outdoor furniture, decor and other home goods.”
“For patio furniture, Target is going to be the best place to shop,” votes Ramhold. “The fact that they're also dealing with excess inventory in home items will make Target Deal Days potentially even better because we could see discounts on summery items like patio furniture with plenty of the season left to use them.”
Ramhold: “If you're shopping on Amazon, be prepared to use [price-tracking site] CamelCamelCamel to quickly check the price history of any items you're eyeing to be sure you're getting the lowest price. If you aren't shopping at Amazon, be prepared to compare prices [with] other retailers...so you can save the most possible.”
Gall: “Take advantage of Cash Back platforms, like Rakuten, which lets shoppers stack the deals they’re finding on top of the deals they’re scoring at their favorite stores — the ultimate hack for getting the best deal during these shopping events!”
McGrath: “It might seem early, but July is actually a popular time for retailers to start running back-to-school sales — and Amazon is no exception. From backpacks and tablets to kids clothing, you can expect to find several great savings opportunities in this area during Prime Day. Although Amazon hasn’t officially announced bulk deals, shoppers should keep an eye out for deals on notebooks, pens and other back-to-school essentials.”
Note: Prime Day is for Amazon Prime members only. If you’re not yet an Amazon Prime member, sign up now for exclusive access to Prime Day deals. Click here for a free 30-day trial.
Apple AirPods Pro, $199 (was $249), amazon.com
Motorola One 5G Ace, $310 (was $400), amazon.com
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, $136 (was $160), amazon.com
Halo View Fitness Tracker, $45 (was $80), amazon.com
YoLink Mini Plug, $22 (was $30), amazon.com
Google Nest Thermostat, $100 (was $130), amazon.com
eero 6+ dual-band mesh, $194 (was $299), amazon.com
eufy by Anker, RoboVac G30, $180 (was $319), amazon.com
Mialoe Portable Blender, $22 (was $26), amazon.com
GE Food Processor, $99 (was $159), amazon.com
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6, $99 (was $130), amazon.com
Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm, $6 (was $9), amazon.com
Clarks Women's Breeze Sea Sandals, $35 (was $55), amazon.com
Command Picture Hanging Strips, $3 (was $6), amazon.com
Fern and Willow Pillows, $27.50 (was $50), amazon.com
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