Hello, English learners! Black Friday is almost here, and it’s one of the busiest, most exciting shopping days of the year. To help you navigate this season with confidence, I’ve put together a list of must-know Black Friday shopping vocabulary. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, knowing these terms will make your experience smoother and give you the language skills to talk about deals, discounts, and more like a pro.
Let’s dive into some unique shopping vocabulary that you’re sure to see and hear during Black Friday!
What It Means: “Doorbusters” are extremely discounted items offered to attract customers. These deals are usually available in limited quantities and are meant to “bust the doors open” and get customers excited to shop.
Example: “We’re offering incredible doorbuster deals on laptops and TVs!”
Usage Tip: Doorbuster deals are typically available at the start of Black Friday, often early in the morning. If you’re planning to shop for a doorbuster item, it’s best to go early!
What It Means: A flash sale is a quick, short-term discount offered for a limited time, sometimes just for a few hours. Flash sales create urgency by offering discounts that “flash” and then disappear quickly.
Example: “Don’t miss our flash sale from 10 AM to 12 PM only—get 50% off on selected items!”
Usage Tip: Flash sales often happen online, so keep an eye out for notifications and prepare to act fast.
What It Means: Clearance items are products that a store wants to sell quickly to make space for new items. They’re often sold at heavily discounted prices.
Example: “Our clearance section has items up to 70% off for Black Friday!”
Usage Tip: Clearance items are usually final sales, which means you may not be able to return or exchange them. It’s a great way to find deeply discounted products, but be sure you’re happy with your choice before buying!
What It Means: A bundle deal offers several items together as a package, usually at a discount compared to buying each item separately.
Example: “Get a bundle deal on smartphones and accessories for Black Friday!”
Usage Tip: Bundles are common in electronics, where you might get a discount on a phone and a charger or case together.
What It Means: Many stores offer a price match policy, meaning they will match a lower price offered by a competitor. This is especially useful on Black Friday when other stores may have the same items at different prices.
Example: “Our store offers a price match guarantee—just show us the competitor’s price!”
Usage Tip: For a price match, you’ll often need proof, like a flyer or screenshot. Not all stores offer price matching on Black Friday, so it’s always good to ask beforehand.
What It Means: When a store advertises something as “limited stock,” it means that only a few items are available, so customers should act quickly if they want to buy.
Example: “This Black Friday, all our electronics are limited stock—shop early for the best selection!”
Usage Tip: Limited stock items are usually in high demand, so try to shop as early as possible for these items to avoid missing out.
What It Means: “Bargain hunting” refers to the process of looking for the best deals, discounts, and sales. Black Friday is a popular day for bargain hunters!
Example: “Black Friday is the perfect time for bargain hunting and finding great discounts.”
Usage Tip: This phrase can be used as both a noun (a bargain hunter) and a verb (to bargain hunt).
What It Means: An early bird special is a discount available to those who shop early in the day. This term is used to encourage customers to shop as soon as a store opens.
Example: “Shop our early bird specials from 6 AM to 9 AM!”
Usage Tip: Many stores offer early bird specials only in the morning, so if you’re up for it, arriving early can mean snagging the best deals.
What It Means: Some stores start offering discounts in the days leading up to Black Friday, calling them “pre-Black Friday sales.”
Example: “Get a head start with our pre-Black Friday sale starting Monday!”
Usage Tip: Pre-Black Friday sales are a great way to get deals early and beat the main shopping rush.
What It Means: If a store runs out of a discounted item, they may offer a “rain check.” This allows you to buy the item at the sale price once it’s back in stock, even after Black Friday.
Example: “We’re out of stock on that TV, but I can give you a rain check.”
Usage Tip: Not all stores offer rain checks, especially on Black Friday, but it doesn’t hurt to ask if an item sells out!
What It Means: Cyber Monday is the Monday following Black Friday, dedicated to online shopping deals.
Example: “Missed Black Friday? Cyber Monday has amazing online deals you won’t want to miss!”
Usage Tip: Cyber Monday is a huge online shopping day, so if you’re looking for deals on tech, gadgets, or fashion, be ready for more sales after Black Friday.
What It Means: A “final sale” means the item cannot be returned or exchanged once purchased. Many Black Friday items are marked as final sale due to their deep discounts.
Example: “All items marked ‘final sale’ cannot be returned, so shop carefully!”
Usage Tip: Always double-check before purchasing if an item is final sale—once you buy it, it’s yours for good.
What It Means: A markdown is a price reduction. You’ll see items “marked down” throughout the Black Friday season as stores adjust their prices to compete.
Example: “We’re offering 30% markdowns on all shoes and accessories this Black Friday!”
Usage Tip: Markdown is a general term for any kind of price reduction, so you might see it used often on signs and labels.
What It Means: A limited edition product is only available for a short time or in small quantities. These are often exclusive items created for Black Friday or holiday sales.
Example: “Get our limited edition holiday gift set before it sells out!”
Usage Tip: Limited edition items are usually popular and can be unique keepsakes, so they’re worth checking out if you see them advertised.
What It Means: When a salesperson tries to sell you an upgraded or more expensive version of a product, it’s called “upselling.” Upselling can happen during Black Friday to encourage customers to spend more.
Example: “Would you like to upgrade to our premium membership for even more savings?”
Usage Tip: If you’re open to upsells, ask about benefits, but remember to stick to your budget!
What It Means: BOGO is an acronym for “Buy One, Get One.” This could mean buying one item and getting the second free or at a discount.
Example: “Our Black Friday BOGO deals include clothing and accessories!”
Usage Tip: Check whether it’s a true “buy one, get one free” deal or if it’s buy one, get one at a discount, as both can be common during Black Friday.
Black Friday shopping is filled with unique vocabulary, and knowing these terms can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. Now, you’re ready to talk about doorbusters, look for bundle deals, and maybe even snag a rain check if your favorite item sells out. With these phrases in your toolkit, you’ll shop with confidence and even impress friends with your new Black Friday lingo!
Thank you for joining me at English with Janet! I hope this guide helps you navigate the holiday shopping season and that you find the deals you’re looking for. Happy Black Friday shopping, and don’t forget to check back for more English learning tips!
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