With Christmas fast approaching, the most organised among us have already gotten a start on our shopping. In fact many are down to just the essentials at this stage - wrapping paper and gifts tags. If you’ve yet to put a dent in the purchase of gifts, there are plenty of novel ideas to choose from this year.
As it's Black Friday, we spoke to Currys' head of Commercial Jaimie Cantwell who gave us an insight into their hottest products right now, trends to look out for and what deals to pick up in the Currys Black Tag Sale.
Segway Ninebot E-scooter
In recent years, e-scooters have shot up in popularity across Europe, becoming one of the most commonly used forms of transport in many of our cities. While Ireland has been slow to catch up in comparison, Cantwell notes that thanks to a recent Government announcement, e-scooter sales are spiking, and people are ready to roll on Irish roads.
“E-scooter sales have been steadily growing in the past year,” says Cantwell, “but we have seen a big surge in recent weeks following the Government approval of a new Road Traffic Bill which will go before the Oireachtais and is expected to conclude before Christmas. As the rules around these become clearer, I’d expect this trend to continue and we are already seeing customers respond to a new, more cost effective and eco-friendly way to travel.”
This particular Segway model stands out for many reasons, with Cantwell noting its portability as a big advantage.
“This model is a great one for dipping your toe in the water. It’s extremely lightweight and folds easily - it’s not only easy to use, but also easy to store!”
Along with that, it’s water resistant with built in front and rear LED lights, and allows you to reach a maximum speed of 12.5 miles per hour. With it currently boasting a €150 discount, getting an e-scooter is “now more affordable than ever,” she comments.
[ Shop the Segway Ninebot E-scooter: Now €349 / Save €150Opens in new window ]
Oculus Quest 2 VR Gaming Headset
Virtual Reality technology has revolutionised gaming, offering those involved a playing experience incomparable to any before. Cantwell describes it as “truly immersive”, as all visual and audio distractions from the real world are blocked out with players transported into the game’s virtual world. And it’s not just new universes that gamers can visit, but cult classics have also been reinvented to fit this new technology, providing a brand new way to enjoy your favourite, old games.
Another great thing about VR, and this particular set from Oculus, is that you can play from virtually anywhere. “Although,” Cantwell jokes, “we suggest from the safety of your own home.”
"This set is ideal for anyone starting off and wanting to give VR a try without too much investment. It includes both the headset and controllers, meaning you can jump right in once you open the box."
There is no need for a PC or console, and the headset provides seamless graphics and cinematic 3D audio. It’s no wonder that these will top many families’ wishlists.
“It is rare to see VR and Oculus on offer,” Cantwell explains, “so this will be your best chance to sort that Christmas present at a great price point.”
[ Shop the Oculus Quest 2 VR Gaming Headset: €349/Save €10Opens in new window ]
Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal Extra Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson originally made a name for itself by producing bagless vacuum cleaners, and has since revolutionised the industry further by becoming cordless. It was seen by some as a risk at the time, but Cantwell notes that it certainly paid off.
“In recent years, cordless vacuum cleaners have grown hugely popular in Ireland and Dyson has been a big contributor to this. Cordless now represents over half the floorcare market sales.”
Dyson has been responsible for producing many of the sector's most coveted products and they now offer models to suit most budget types. This particular cleaner available in Currys, "is particularly useful to anyone with pets in their home," explains Cantwell, as "it uses a filtration system to lock allergens and air pollutants inside the bin."
In addition to that, it has a 60-minute run-time, comes with six different accessories, and can be transformed into a handheld device with the click of a button.
Interested? Well if so, you’ll have to act fast. Discounted by €150, Cantwell says “this model is likely to sell out.”
“Customers often use Black Friday as a time to invest in a piece of tech they have had their eye on, and Dyson usually features top of many people’s wishlists.”
[ Shop the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal Extra Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: €349 / Save €150Opens in new window ]
Sage: The Barista Pro Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
The coffee craze has well and truly taken over, with many wanting to be able to make the perfect brew from the comfort of their own home. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge influence on this, with Cantwell noting; “Over the course of the lockdowns, and with people spending more time at home, we saw people take a greater interest in coffee and wanting to become more involved with the process.”
She confirms that people have been investing more in machines, compared to figures from previous years, and with the technology constantly evolving, customers are also getting more for their money. A win-win.
Sage is the fastest growing brand within the premium coffee space, with this particular model coming from their Barista range. "It takes just 3 seconds to heat up, has an integrated grinder and intuitive LCD screen so you can follow the process from bean to cup," she explains. "It's also exclusive to Currys."
The machine dropped as a part of the Currys Black Tag sale, and is available for €649, which is their “lowest price on this machine, ever.”
[ Shop the Sage Barista Pro Bean to Cup Coffee Machine: €649 / Save €240.99Opens in new window ]
Samsung 65” Q80 Smart TV
Another area in which people have been investing thanks to the pandemic is in home entertainment. “There has been a big increase in TV sales with people opting for larger, more premium end TVs, with higher definition and sound quality,” she explains. And with streaming services being as popular as ever, having a Smart TV is a must for most due to their “ability to connect directly to these [services] without a streaming device and connect seamlessly with other wireless devices like your phone.”
This Samsung model ticks all of the boxes, offering a 65-inch display with almost no frame, and its features also ensure that no matter where you're sitting, you'll get to enjoy pin-sharp quality with rich tones and an amazing view. It's not all about the visuals, however, and this TV with its six built-in speakers and AI technology gives you 3D surround sound, ensuring an optimal audio experience as well.
If you’ve been thinking of an upgrade, there’s no time like the present, with Jaimie saying “it’s not often you see savings of up to €800,” the discount currently on offer. Alexa, Add this to my cart!
[ Shop the Samsung 65” Q80 Smart TV: €1299 / Save €800Opens in new window ]