With Black Friday just around the corner, the expectation of tempting offers is rising in Spain, according to a recent survey by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU). The results show a marked increase in purchase intention, with 84% of Spaniards planning to participate in the shopping festivities, up from 82% last year.
This shopping fervor translates into an increase in average projected spending, reaching 237 euros, 20 euros more than in the same period of the previous year. However, despite the expectation of succulent discounts, the OCU issues a warning: 49% of those surveyed confess to compulsive behavior in their purchases during Black Friday, either purchasing unnecessary items or exceeding their budgets.
This year's star sector will cover fashion, footwear and accessories, along with the always popular technology. A resounding 65% of buyers have their eyes set on these products, followed by electronic devices (43%), small appliances (22%) and toys (19%). In addition, the study indicates that six out of ten respondents will advance their Christmas shopping during Black Friday.
Despite the enthusiasm, the OCU highlights a panorama of distrust around the offers. 67% of those surveyed suspect that some stores inflate their prices weeks before the event so that, after applying a discount, prices remain practically the same. Although 71% consider that it is worth taking advantage of the Black Friday discounts, a significant 38% think that, for the most part, prices do not differ from non-promotional periods.
The survey also sheds light on purchasing preferences in terms of channels, revealing a shift towards digital. Only a modest 6% plan to shop primarily in physical stores, while a notable 27% will choose to shop exclusively online, and another 32% will prioritize this channel.
In an effort to combat irregular practices, the OCU invites consumers to report any pricing anomalies on the organization's social networks. Price monitoring during Black Friday indicates that discounts are rarely compared to the lowest prices of the last 30 days, thus violating established regulations.
