Savvy shoppers can save up to 154 per cent on popular products such as gym equipment, air conditioners and games this year if they pick the right month to buy, experts have revealed.
Customers could get over £6,000 worth of discounts by biding their time on purchases, according to price comparison site Idealo.
It analysed the price history of more than 100 popular products, from fashion items to home products to childrens’ toys, to predict the cheapest month to buy in 2022.
Idealo found that January was the most expensive month to buy several big-ticket times, suggesting that shoppers may wish to hold off on buying treadmills, exercise bikes and smart watches.
Consumers could save thousands on household items by choosing which month to purchase
The cost of goods changes throughout the year as retailers use artificial intelligence and algorithms to adjust prices according to consumer demand, competitor prices and even the weather.
This is Money reveals the biggest savings shoppers stand to make.
Exercise bikes – save 154% in July
The biggest savings are for exercise bikes which are 154 per cent cheaper in July than January, a time when many are looking to get fit.
This month, they will sit at an average of £544.96 whilst in July, this could be reduced to as little as £214.37.
The biggest savings are for exercise bikes which are 154 per cent cheaper in July than January
Air conditioners – save 153% in October
The second highest savings to be made are on air conditioners, with prices varying by as much as 153 per cent throughout the year.
They, too, are at their most expensive in January at an average of £809.67.
This reduces dramatically to £319.25 in October, when prices are discounted following the hot summer months.
Air conditioners are at their most expensive in January with an average price of £809.67
Treadmills – save 109% in March
Another item that is at its most expensive in January, as many aim to get their fitness on track, treadmills are priced at £1,586.08.
This is 109 per cent more expensive than the cheapest month of March when they cost an average of £757.41.
Treadmills are at their most expensive in January, as many aim to get their fitness on track
Paddling/swimming pools – save 79% in January
For those prepping for the summer, paddling pools and swimming pools are at their lowest price in January at a cost of £213.30.
This is 79 per cent cheaper than in December when they cost £419.79.
Paddling pools and swimming pools are at their lowest price in January at a cost of £213.30
PlayStation 5 games – save 61% in December
On average, £19.99 can be saved on PlayStation 5 games when bought in December with the average price coming in at £32.50.
This is 61 per cent cheaper than in January when prices rise to £52.49.
Saving: On average, £19.99 can be saved on PlayStation 5 games when bought in December
Other popular products
Meanwhile, there are a host of other popular products that have had their price analysed by Idealo.
For example, £27.57 can be saved on smartwatches by purchasing in June, with prices averaging £175.04 compared to £202.61 in January – a difference of 16 per cent.
It also found that smartphones are cheapest in August at an average of £231.66, whilst they are at their priciest in October at £265.36 – a difference of 15 per cent.
Big savings of up to 15 per cent can be made on Dyson Airwraps and hairdryers in July, while customers could cut the cost of Harry Potter Lego by 11 per cent in April.
They can get a discount of 9 per cent on iCandy Prams if paid for in July, while Ring doorbells are slashed by a huge 57 per cent in December.
For drivers, dashcams were found to be at their lowest price in March at £120.68 with prices rising to £133.96 in November.
Big savings could be made on drones in July with prices sitting at £253.13 compared to £390.33 in February – a change of 54 per cent.
| Category | Cheapest Month | Most Expensive | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddling / Swimming Pools | January – £213.30 | December – £419.79 | 79% |
| Lawnmowers | February – £421.62 | May – £622.78 | 48% |
| Treadmills | March – £757.41 | January – £1586.08 | 109% |
| Helmets | April – £72.74 | December – £93.61 | 29% |
| Doorbells | May – £31.76 | December £49.82 | 57% |
| Smartwatches | June – £175.04 | January – £202.61 | 16% |
| Exercise Bikes | July – £214.37 | January – £544.96 | 154% |
| DSLR Camera | August – £1,097.20 | December – £1,600.96 | 58% |
| Games Consoles | September – £171.83 | January – £252.94 | 47% |
| Air Conditioners | October – £319.25 | January – £809.67 | 153% |
| Strimmers | November – £30.34 | April – £47.21 | 56% |
| PS5 Games | December – £32.50 | January – £52.49 | 61% |
| Source: Idealo |
Katy Phillips, Idealo’s senior UK brand and communications manager, said: ‘It’s so important to start the year with a positive financial mindset.
‘We know from our survey that many people are going to try to be better with money this year and we hope our 2022 Best Time To Buy Calendar will prompt people to strategically plan and organise when they will buy specific goods.
‘There are several reasons why prices can fluctuate all year round, with many retailers using artificial intelligence and algorithms to dynamically adjust prices according to consumer demand, competitor prices, and even the weather.
‘Many shoppers fall for the hype around sales events such as January sales and are seduced by the big-ticket deals, however our advice is to stay savvy all year round and continually compare prices to unearth even bigger bargains.’
The data was taken from the average price of items on Idealo’s website. The total was accumulated by adding the price differences between cheapest and most expensive together for all product categories.
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