Discounted HDTVs are usually one of the most coveted Black Friday scores, but since so many families upgraded their old standard-definition tubes for flat-screens already, retailers have notched slower sales this year, regardless of the deal.
"It's shaping up to be a muted season for TVs in particular," said Paul Gagnon, director of TV research at research firm DisplaySearch.
To bring buyers back, retailers are hoping some aggressive price drops will do the trick. "We fully expect to see the cheapest 42-inch LCD HDTVs in the $249 to $299 range this year," said Brad Olson, founder of Gottadeal.com.
Look for even better deals on smaller TVs, too, which retailers hope will entice some shoppers to upgrade the set in their bedroom or den instead, added Brad Wilson, founder of BradsDeals.com, a site that showcases daily deals on the web.
Gagnon predicts prices will be 10% to 20% lower than last year, but it may not stop there. "Towards the end of Christmas you'll see deeper discounting," he said.
What will kids be begging for this holiday season? Expect a lot of classic toys with a high-tech twist, according to TimetoPlayMag.com, which released its list of the year's hottest toys.
