PRIME DAY RECAP
This year, October Prime Day shoppers largely eschewed deals on new electronics for savings on home goods and household essentials —here are some of the top-selling products of the massive sale event
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Prime Big Deal Days 2023 has ended, capping off a record-setting year for Amazon. But even still, 2023’s second Prime Day bonanza was quite different than years past — and gives some insight into how people are spending their money right now.
For starters, Prime Big Deal Days was massive: Amazon reports that more than 137,111 items were purchased during the sale, and that Prime members saved over $2.5 billion. The average order size was up too from last October’s Prime Early Access Sale ($53.47 compared to $52.26 in 2022), according to Numerator.
However, even though people might have spent slightly more this year, October Prime Day purchases were very different. Instead of brand-name electronics and shiny new tech products, necessities were the top sellers this year with home goods and household essentials being the top two categories. This meant some surprising basics popped up in the Prime Day best-sellers list, such as Premier Protein Shakes, Liquid I.V. packets, and Energizer AA Batteries.
Why the switch from wanted products to needed products? Likely lingering inflation and mixed fears of a recession in 2023. Adobe Analytics found that inflation impacted shoppers, with buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services being used in 6.5% of orders, up 20% from 2022. Shoppers were also less spontaneous and more calculated in the way they approached deals, with more than half (55%) saying they compared prices at competitors, many of whom were also holding concurrent sales events, according to Numerator (31% shopped Walmart for pre-holiday deals, and 25% looked at Target).
Still, some used Prime Day as shoppers have in past years, grabbing brand-name electronics and home goods they might have been eyeing for a while (i.e. Apple AirPods, Fire TV sticks, clothing, etc.).Trending
The Top-Selling Items Of October Prime Day 2023
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the top-selling products during October Prime Day 2023. We’ve included products that Rolling Stone readers purchased in bulk, as well as several items that Amazon says were the event’s big winners.
Bonus: Some Prime Big Deal Day deals are still lingering, with discounts likely to continue throughout the week. If you see anything still on sale, be sure to scoop it up quickly.
Kindle Paperwhite (8 GB)
$139.99
The Kindle Paperwhite (8 GB) was the most-purchased item among Rolling Stone readers during this year’s Prime Day, and it’s not hard to understand why: the best-selling e-reader supports all of the most popular digital book formats (plusAudible audiobooks), and has become a go-to for international travel or outdoor reading. Best of all, the you can still get the Kindle deal that comes with three months of free reading through Kindle Unlimited they had during Prime Day.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
$199.00$249.0020% off
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) were another big winner this year — and most of Apple’s headphones are still discounted. These top-of-the-line earbuds, for example, are still 20% off, shaving $50 off the retail price. They feature noise-cancellation, an Apple H2 chip for advanced audio performance, and a substantial six-hour battery life. Plus, like all AirPods, they look great and connect easily.
LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm
$18.00
This Laneige lip balm saw a quick “lighting sale” during Prime Day, and people (rightly) scooped it up. Endorsed by Sydney Sweeney, the cult-favorite glossy balm version of their popular sleep mask hydrates and rejuvenates lips while you sleep, removing flakiness, cracks, and dry patches.
EasyJoy Ultra Soft Shaggy Area Rug
$34.99
This TikTok-famous faux sheepskin area rug was a huge hit with readers looking to add a luxury touch to their home for less. Not only does the rug feel super-soft and plush, it’s also resistant to fading and won’t shed on your floor. This fluffy runner is perfect for placing at the side of your bed for a warm wake-up in the morning, or in your living room as an easy way to elevate the space.
Solplex Solar Deck Lights (Outdoor 16 Pack)
$29.99$43.9932% off
These outdoor lights from Solplex allow you to illuminate your backyard patio, stairs, garden paths, and anywhere you might need a little extra brightness. Unlike most regular deck lights, they don’t need to be plugged in — on sunny days, it only takes them 4-5 hours to be fully charged, and they can turn on automatically at dusk and turn off at dawn. It seemed people used Prime Day to stock up for pre-holiday events, but we think they make a great purchase for any season.
Energizer AA Batteries, Double A Long-Lasting Alkaline Power Batteries
$14.70$19.9826% off
What more can we say about these? Batteries are everyday staples, and our readers seem to agree that you can never have too many of them laying around the house. You can count on these long-lasting AA batteries to power your game controllers, flashlights, thermometers, smart home devices, and more. We won’t tell you how to use them, but there’s enough in this 32-pack that you won’t lose ’em.
Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
$19.99$39.9950% off
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is one of the best streaming devices around, with minimal hardware, an easy-to-use remote, and all the major streaming apps. The “stick” plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port, keeping your media console clear of bulky devices. The remote is equipped with Alexa, lending responsive voice controls for searching content and controlling video playback.
Soulomelody Womens Military Anorak Jacket
$53.98$69.9823% off
As trends are turning back the clock to Y2K and even 2010s-core (do we have a name for it yet?), savvy shoppers used Prime Day to snap up casual fall wardrobe staples, like the every-popular military anorak jacket. Luckily, these types of layering pieces are still very affordable through Amazon, and you can order multiple sizes to try on at home.
Amazon Smart Plug
$24.99
Here’s a great home upgrade that people stocked up on. Amazon’s Smart Plugs turn any outlet into a “smart” one that you can control with your phone, tablet, or Alexa. This means you can do things like turn off the lights, start the coffee machine, or start up your air purifier with voice controls or a tap of the phone — even while you’re out of the house.
Seven Sparta Car Cup Holder Expander
$22.99
It’s hard to have too many good travel cups, but some of them don’t always travel well when it gets time to fit them in your car’s cup holder. Which is exactly why people bought up these highly-rated cup holders/expanders from Seven Sparta. Plus, the drink cup holder is big enough to secure oversized thermoses, Hydroflasks, Yetis, Nalgenes, and Stanley cups tightly without any spills or bumps along the way.
Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray (Juicy 3-pack)
$30.00
Beloved by celebs from Charli D’Amelio and Mandy Moore to North West, readers snatched up these portable, highly-aesthetic hand sanitizing mists from Touchland this Prime Day. Just in time for cold and flu season, these pocket-sized sprays makes agreat stocking stufferwith its formula helping to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria, while keeping your hands soft and moisturized. Touchland says its sanitizer formula is vegan and cruelty-free and each “bottle” gets you 500 sprays.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
$23.45
Did we say it was cold and flu season already? Liquid I.V.’s Hydration Multiplier was a best-seller during this October Prime Day, an electrolyte powder that delivers quick hydration to your bloodstream, helping to reduce fatigue and improve alertness and immunity. Liquid I.V. says their packets contain three times the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks, plus potassium, vitamin C, B3, B5, B6, and B12. The Individually wrapped packets make them clutch for taking to the gym, while traveling, or on the go.
As someone deeply immersed in the world of e-commerce trends, consumer behavior, and the dynamics of major online retail events, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the discussion on Prime Big Deal Days 2023. My knowledge extends beyond mere observations, delving into the intricacies of the factors that shape these events and influence consumer choices.
Let's break down the key concepts from the provided article:
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Prime Big Deal Days Overview:
- The event concluded as a record-setting year for Amazon, with over 137,111 items purchased, resulting in Prime members saving over $2.5 billion.
- The average order size increased from the previous year's Prime Early Access Sale, indicating higher consumer spending.
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Shift in Consumer Spending Patterns:
- Unlike previous years, October Prime Day 2023 saw a significant shift in consumer preferences. Rather than focusing on new electronics, shoppers prioritized savings on home goods and household essentials.
- Top-selling categories included necessities such as Premier Protein Shakes, Liquid I.V. packets, and Energizer AA Batteries.
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Factors Influencing Purchasing Decisions:
- Lingering inflation and concerns about a potential recession in 2023 impacted consumer behavior. Shoppers exhibited a more calculated approach, with 55% comparing prices at competitors and 6.5% using buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services, reflecting a 20% increase from 2022.
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Popular Products during October Prime Day 2023:
- The article highlights several top-selling products, reflecting both consumer trends and notable discounts during the event.
- Kindle Paperwhite (8 GB): A popular e-reader known for supporting various digital book formats, including Audible audiobooks.
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen): Highly sought-after wireless earbuds with noise-cancellation, an Apple H2 chip, and a substantial battery life.
- Laneige Lip Glowy Balm: A cult-favorite lip balm endorsed by Sydney Sweeney, known for hydrating and rejuvenating lips.
- EasyJoy Ultra Soft Shaggy Area Rug: A TikTok-famous faux sheepskin area rug popular for adding a luxury touch to homes.
- Solplex Solar Deck Lights (Outdoor 16 Pack): Outdoor lights powered by solar energy, suitable for various applications.
- Energizer AA Batteries: A staple product with a 32-pack discount, meeting everyday power needs.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote: A popular streaming device offering a 50% discount during the event.
- Soulomelody Women's Military Anorak Jacket: Reflecting the trend of shoppers grabbing fall wardrobe staples.
- Amazon Smart Plug: A home upgrade allowing users to turn any outlet into a "smart" one, controllable via phone, tablet, or Alexa.
- Seven Sparta Car Cup Holder Expander: Highly-rated cup holders/expanders designed to accommodate oversized cups securely.
- Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray (Juicy 3-pack): Portable hand sanitizing mists endorsed by celebrities, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier: A best-selling electrolyte powder delivering quick hydration, especially popular during cold and flu season.
- The article highlights several top-selling products, reflecting both consumer trends and notable discounts during the event.
This detailed overview showcases the diverse range of products that gained traction during October Prime Day 2023, reflecting shifting consumer priorities and strategic purchasing decisions influenced by economic factors. The insights provided offer a comprehensive understanding of the event's dynamics and the products that resonated with consumers.
