Why the early bird gets the bargain in the world of digital retail
Key Points:
- Money expert reveals specific time to shop online to unlock the biggest discounts
- Expert explains why early morning timing beats retailers’ pricing algorithms and provides practical tips for maximising savings
- Shopping expert says understanding discount timing is becoming a “new-age shopping hack” that savvy consumers are using to beat inflation
Many shoppers hunt for the best deals by comparing prices across different websites or waiting for seasonal sales. But what if the secret to bigger savings was simpler than that? What if it came down to something as basic as what time you hit ‘add to cart’?
Most people don’t realise that the time of day they shop online can actually impact the discounts they receive. That’s according to money-saving expert Fred Harrington from SaveMyCent, a Brooklyn-based digital savings platform that’s been helping online shoppers save money since 2019.
“The time of day you shop can make a real difference to your wallet,” says Harrington. “While everyone else is hitting snooze, early morning shoppers are snagging deals that might disappear by lunchtime.”
The Sweet Spot: 6am to 9am
According to Harrington, the golden window for online bargain hunting opens at 6am and closes around 9am in your local time zone. This isn’t just lucky timing – there’s real strategy behind it.
“Retailers update their pricing algorithms overnight,” explains Harrington. “By the time most people are having their morning coffee, the fresh markdowns are already live, but the competition hasn’t woken up yet.”
During these early hours, there’s significantly less online traffic. This means fewer people are adding items to their baskets, which can trigger dynamic pricing increases on popular products. With less competition, shoppers have a better chance of securing items at their lowest prices before demand picks up.
Why Early Birds Win Big
The early morning advantage isn’t just about beating the crowd. Many retailers deliberately launch their daily deals first thing in the morning to kickstart their sales cycle for the day.
“Think about it from a business perspective,” says Harrington. “Brands want to create momentum early in the day. They’ll often push their best promotions live at 6am or 7am to generate that initial buzz and get the sales rolling.”
This strategy works particularly well for fashion, electronics, beauty products, and daily deal sites. Flash sales and limited-time offers frequently go live during these morning hours, giving early shoppers first dibs on the best bargains.
Harrington’s 3 Smart Timing Tips for Maximum Savings
1. Set Deal Alerts for Dawn
Instead of manually checking websites every morning, set up price alerts and deal notifications to ping your phone between 6am and 9am. This way, you’ll know immediately when prices drop without having to remember to check.
2. Use the Cart Abandonment Trick
Add items to your shopping cart in the evening, then check back in the early morning. Many retailers use retargeting algorithms that offer additional discounts to customers who’ve left items in their cart overnight.
3. Check Multiple Time Zones
If you’re shopping from international retailers, remember that their “morning deals” might launch according to their local time zone. A UK retailer’s 6am deal launch might be 1am in New York – perfect for night owls or early risers.
“The timing strategy works across different product categories, but it’s particularly effective for items with fluctuating demand,” says Harrington. “Electronics, fashion, and beauty products see some of the biggest price swings throughout the day.”
Fred Harrington from SaveMyCent commented:
“Understanding discount timing has become a new-age shopping hack that smart consumers are using to beat inflation. While everyone’s talking about rising prices, savvy shoppers are discovering that when you buy can be just as important as what you buy.
“We’re seeing more people adopt these timing strategies because traditional coupon hunting isn’t always enough anymore. The early morning window gives you a triple advantage – fresh deals, less competition, and first access to limited-time offers. It’s like having a VIP pass to the sale before the doors officially open.
“The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t require any special skills or premium memberships. You just need to adjust your shopping routine slightly. Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier, grab your coffee, and start browsing. Those extra few minutes of effort can translate into genuine savings that add up over time.”
