Black Friday isn’t here yet, but early deals and big sale plans are already being announced by popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target.
Thanks to shifting consumer trends, sales once reserved for a single day or the weekend after Thanksgiving have expanded into the weeks leading up to and after the holiday, giving consumers more chances to develop their holiday shopping plan of attack and nab more deals.
Whether you’re looking for the latest tech, toys and goodies for the little ones in your life, or a great price on fashion and beauty products you’ve been holding off on buying, early savings events and Black Friday day-of flash sales are some of the best times to cross items off your list.
Here’s a guide to Black Friday prep, including when and where to shop popular deals.
When is Black Friday 2024?
Black Friday happens the day after Thanksgiving, which is Thursday, Nov. 28, this year, meaning the shopping holiday falls on Friday, Nov. 29.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday has become known as one of the biggest shopping and sales events of the year. Happening the day after Thanksgiving, it is believed to have earned the title “Black Friday” in the 1950s when Philadelphia police coined the term to describe the chaos they observed thanks to suburban shoppers flooding the city.
By 1961, the name stuck in Philly but didn’t go nationwide until the late 1980s, when retailers seized the opportunity to re-frame the day as something more positive, concocting the analogy of stores going from being “in the red” (experiencing financial deficit) until the explosion of sales on the day after Thanksgiving, bringing them back into “the black” (being profitable).
Many still believe this to be the real origin of Black Friday’s name.
When do Black Friday 2024 sales start?
With a rising preference for online shopping, retailers have begun rolling out “Black Friday” deals earlier and running them longer, giving customers more time to cash in. You can already find price cuts at a number of retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Staples, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Target. Some of the biggest deals, however, are usually reserved for the day of.
When does Black Friday start on Amazon?
Amazon’s Black Friday Week will start Thursday, Nov. 21, and run through Friday, Nov. 29. Deals include up to 55% on select Amazon devices, including Amazon Fire Smart TVs, Kindles, Ring doorbells and Beats headphones. There’s also up to 50% off on denim from Levi’s and apparel from OROLAY.
When does Black Friday start at Walmart?
Walmart launched its online early Black Friday deals Nov. 11 and begins another round of Black Friday sales online Monday, Nov. 25, and in stores Friday, Nov. 29.
Ahead of Black Friday, Walmart is also offering 50% off its Walmart+ annual membership, which grants users early access to deals, free shipping and delivery, Paramount+ streaming, fuel discounts and more perks.
Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving but will open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.
When does Black Friday start at Target?
Earlier this month, Target began weekly deals that run through the holiday season. The retailer also is running Deal of the Day specials through Dec. 24.
This week’s deals includes specials for Thanksgiving meals.
Target will be closed on Thanksgiving. Stores will open at 6 a.m. local time on Friday, Nov. 29, and stores will have extended hours of 7 a.m. to midnight from Nov. 30 through Dec. 23.
Read more at usatoday.com.