Apple's Black Friday deals will likely be gift card promotions rather than a true sale, Forbes reported.
Looking at the Australian Apple sale over the date line, the Black Friday sale will be similar to the recent Back to School campaign. But instead of iTunes cards, Apple store gift cards will be included with purchases.
"The setup does not smack of generosity," Forbes noted.
While gift cards will likely be worth more than similar discounts at Apple's Black Friday sale in 2012, shoppers who want real sales should look elsewhere.
Forbes called this tactic "gift card psychology." As consumers purchase holiday gifts for other people, they are tempted to buy things for themselves as well. A gift card holds the promise of buying something later while shoppers are still sticking to the holiday shopping agenda.
The strategy also brings another cycle of shopping to Apple when people spend the gift cards in December and after.
MacRumors has a roundup of Black Friday deals that includes Apple products, which are also available at Target, Best Buy, Walmart and Staples.
Target has the lowest price on the iPad Air, offering the new tablet for $379, while Walmart has the best deal on the iPad Mini, selling the device for $199, according to MacRumors.
The iPad Mini with retina display could the hot item this holiday season with demand expected to far exceed supply.
Apple is looking to address the supply issues, which stem from a shortage of retina display screens. The company increased orders for the iPad Mini in November to approximately 4 million units, according to DigiTimes.
Apple CEO Tim Cook had been previously quoted saying he isn't sure if the company will have enough devices available for the holiday season.
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