Expect Higher Prices on Black Friday, Experts Say

It’s Black Friday and next week is Cyber Monday but according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, experts advise Georgia holiday shoppers to prepare for a pricey Christmas this year.

According to a Nov. 2022 WorldRemit report, everything from that holiday meal to Christmas decorations are up about 28% this year.

They said the largest factors contributing to this year’s high Christmas costs across the globe are food prices.

For example, the price of a 10-pound ham alone has increased 150% year over year to an average of $29.90.

Christmas gifts are also expected to cost families an additional $238 on average this year.

Overall, total year-over-year Christmas costs are up over 44% in the U.S.

The Better Business Bureau offers a few tips to make your Black Friday shopping experience productive… and maybe even enjoyable:

First, start with a list of items you are looking for and use sale fliers and promotions to determine which store has the best price.

Also, figure out how much you can afford to spend… and stick to it!

Read the fine print. Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off your purchase, but could exclude certain deals or items such as “doorbusters.”

Also, be cautious of companies that boast a high percentage off; the item may be “75% off,” but the original price could be inflated.

So before you go out Christmas shopping this weekend, you might want to rethink your budget and your spending habits.

You can always visit BBB.org to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, report a scam, read tips, follow us on social media, and more!

If you see a bad ad, you can report it to BBB AdTruth.