When Are Black Friday sales? (Don’t Miss These Deals!)
In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with information.
Marketing messages, advertisements, social media updates – it’s a never-ending stream.
During the holiday shopping season, this noise intensifies tenfold.
Retailers compete fiercely for our attention, throwing deals and promotions our way from every angle.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss out on the best opportunities.
Understanding Black Friday
Black Friday, as we know it today, has a surprisingly murky origin story.
While the exact details are debated, most accounts trace its roots back to the 1950s and 1960s in Philadelphia.
The day after Thanksgiving was often marked by heavy traffic and crowds as shoppers began their Christmas shopping.
Police officers reportedly used the term “Black Friday” to describe the chaotic conditions they faced.
However, a more positive interpretation of the term emerged later.
Retailers began to see the day after Thanksgiving as the start of the holiday shopping season, a crucial period for their annual profits.
They used the term “Black Friday” to signify the day when their businesses finally moved “into the black,” meaning they started making a profit for the year.
This positive spin helped to popularize the term, and it quickly spread across the country.
The significance of Black Friday in the retail industry cannot be overstated.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), holiday sales in November and December account for nearly 20% of annual retail sales.
Black Friday weekend is a critical period within this timeframe, driving a significant portion of the holiday revenue.
Impact on Consumer Spending:
Black Friday has a profound impact on consumer spending habits.
The perceived scarcity and deep discounts create a sense of urgency that drives shoppers to make purchases they might not otherwise make.
This can lead to both positive outcomes, such as saving money on needed items, and negative outcomes, such as impulse buying and overspending.
According to a 2023 NRF survey, 182 million people shopped in stores and online during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
This highlights the massive scale of the event and its importance to both retailers and consumers.
The average shopper spent $325.44 on gifts and other holiday items during the period.
Source: National Retail Federation
When is Black Friday 2025?
Mark your calendars!
Black Friday 2025 will fall on November 28, 2025, the day after Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, so Black Friday follows immediately after.
While November 28th is the official date, the Black Friday shopping frenzy typically starts well before that.
Many retailers begin offering pre-Black Friday deals as early as the beginning of November, with some even launching their promotions in late October.
Thanksgiving Day itself has become a popular shopping day, with many stores opening their doors in the evening to kick off the Black Friday sales.
The days following Black Friday, including Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, also offer significant shopping opportunities.
Small Business Saturday, which falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, encourages consumers to support local businesses.
Cyber Monday, as mentioned earlier, is dedicated to online deals and often features discounts on electronics, clothing, and other popular items.
Potential Changes in Retail Practices for 2025:
Predicting the future of retail is always challenging, but based on recent trends, I anticipate a few significant changes in retail practices for 2025:
- Extended Online Sales: The shift towards online shopping has been accelerating for years, and I expect this trend to continue.
Retailers are likely to offer even more extended online sales periods, starting earlier in November and continuing through Cyber Week. - Increased Focus on Mobile Shopping: Mobile devices are becoming increasingly important for online shopping.
Retailers will likely invest in improving their mobile apps and websites to provide a seamless shopping experience for mobile users. - Personalized Deals and Recommendations: Retailers are using data analytics to personalize deals and recommendations for individual shoppers.
This trend is likely to continue, with shoppers receiving targeted offers based on their past purchases and browsing history. - Emphasis on Sustainability: Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchases.
Retailers may respond by offering more sustainable products and promoting their efforts to reduce waste and emissions.
What to Expect from Black Friday Sales in 2025
Analyzing trends from previous years provides valuable insights into what we can expect from Black Friday sales in 2025.
In recent years, we’ve seen a few consistent themes:
- Deep Discounts on Electronics: Electronics, including TVs, laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles, are consistently among the most popular items on sale during Black Friday.
Expect to see significant discounts on these products in 2025. - Apparel and Accessories: Clothing, shoes, and accessories are also heavily discounted during Black Friday.
Retailers often offer buy-one-get-one-free deals or percentage-off discounts on these items. - Home Goods and Appliances: Home goods, such as furniture, bedding, and kitchen appliances, are another popular category for Black Friday sales.
Expect to see discounts on these items as retailers try to clear out inventory before the end of the year.
Based on recent trends, I anticipate the following types of products to be particularly popular during Black Friday 2025:
- 4K TVs: With the increasing popularity of streaming services and gaming consoles, 4K TVs will likely be in high demand.
- Smart Home Devices: Smart home devices, such as smart speakers, smart thermostats, and smart lighting, are becoming increasingly affordable and popular.
- Wireless Headphones: Wireless headphones, including earbuds and over-ear headphones, are a must-have accessory for many people.
- Gaming Consoles: The latest gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, will likely be in high demand.
- Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers: Smartwatches and fitness trackers are becoming increasingly popular for tracking fitness and health metrics.
Anticipated Brand-Specific Deals and Promotional Strategies:
While it’s impossible to predict the exact deals that retailers will offer in 2025, we can make some educated guesses based on their past behavior.
- Amazon: Amazon is known for its massive selection and competitive prices.
Expect to see deals on a wide range of products, including electronics, home goods, and clothing.
Amazon Prime members may also have access to exclusive deals. - Walmart: Walmart is another major retailer that offers deep discounts on Black Friday.
Expect to see deals on electronics, toys, and home goods.
Walmart often offers doorbuster deals that are only available in limited quantities. - Best Buy: Best Buy is a popular destination for electronics and appliances.
Expect to see deals on TVs, laptops, and other electronics.
Best Buy often offers price matching, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal. - Target: Target offers a wide range of products, including clothing, home goods, and electronics.
Expect to see deals on these items during Black Friday.
Target often offers gift cards with purchase, which can be a great way to save even more money.
Strategies to Maximize Black Friday Deals
To make the most of Black Friday 2025, it’s essential to start planning in advance.
Here are some actionable tips to help you prepare:
- Create a Shopping List: Before you start browsing the sales, make a list of the items you need or want to buy.
This will help you stay focused and avoid impulse purchases. - Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on Black Friday and stick to your budget.
It’s easy to get carried away by the excitement of the sales, so setting a budget beforehand can help you avoid overspending. - Research Prices in Advance: Before Black Friday, research the prices of the items you want to buy.
This will help you identify the best deals and avoid being tricked by inflated discounts. - Sign Up for Newsletters and Email Alerts: Sign up for newsletters and email alerts from your favorite retailers.
This will ensure that you’re among the first to know about Black Friday deals and promotions. - Follow Retailers on Social Media: Follow retailers on social media to stay up-to-date on their Black Friday plans.
Many retailers announce exclusive deals and promotions on their social media channels. - Download Retailer Apps: Download the apps of your favorite retailers.
Many retailers offer exclusive deals and promotions through their apps.
Online vs. In-Store Shopping Strategies:
Both online and in-store shopping have their advantages and disadvantages during Black Friday.
- Online Shopping: Online shopping offers convenience and the ability to compare prices from multiple retailers.
However, it can also be challenging to find the best deals due to the sheer volume of online offers. - In-Store Shopping: In-store shopping allows you to see and touch the products before you buy them.
However, it can also be crowded and stressful, and you may have to wait in long lines.
Tips for Online Shopping:
- Shop Early: Many online retailers start their Black Friday sales early.
Start browsing the sales as soon as they launch to find the best deals before they sell out. - Use Price Comparison Websites: Use price comparison websites to compare prices from multiple retailers.
This will help you ensure that you’re getting the best deal. - Check for Promo Codes: Before you check out, search for promo codes online.
Many retailers offer promo codes that can save you even more money. - Read Reviews: Before you buy a product online, read reviews from other customers.
This will help you get a better understanding of the product’s quality and features. - Be Aware of Shipping Costs: Be aware of shipping costs before you check out.
Some retailers offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount.
Tips for In-Store Shopping:
- Plan Your Route: Before you head to the stores, plan your route.
This will help you avoid traffic and get to your desired stores quickly. - Arrive Early: Arrive at the stores early, especially if you’re interested in doorbuster deals.
The best deals often sell out quickly. - Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you may be doing a lot of walking and standing.
- Bring a Friend: Bring a friend to help you carry your purchases and keep you company while you wait in line.
- Be Patient: Be patient and prepared to wait in line.
Black Friday shopping can be crowded and stressful, so it’s important to remain calm and patient.
Best Retailers and Their Deals
As I mentioned earlier, several major retailers consistently offer significant Black Friday deals.
Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from some of the top players in 2025:
- Amazon: Amazon will likely offer deals on a wide range of products, including electronics, home goods, and clothing.
Amazon Prime members may have access to exclusive deals and faster shipping. - Walmart: Walmart will likely offer deep discounts on electronics, toys, and home goods.
Walmart often offers doorbuster deals that are only available in limited quantities. - Best Buy: Best Buy will likely offer deals on TVs, laptops, and other electronics.
Best Buy often offers price matching, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal. - Target: Target will likely offer deals on clothing, home goods, and electronics.
Target often offers gift cards with purchase, which can be a great way to save even more money.
Lesser-Known Retailers and Niche Markets:
While the major retailers get most of the attention, there are also many lesser-known retailers and niche markets that offer significant sales opportunities during Black Friday.
- Small Businesses: Many small businesses offer Black Friday deals as well.
Supporting small businesses is a great way to give back to your community. - Online Marketplaces: Online marketplaces, such as Etsy and eBay, can be a great place to find unique and handcrafted items at discounted prices.
- Outlet Stores: Outlet stores, such as Nike Outlet and Adidas Outlet, offer discounts on overstock and discontinued items.
Table of Example Past Black Friday Deals (Illustrative Only):
Disclaimer: These are examples based on past deals and may not reflect actual Black Friday 2025 offers.
Conclusion
Black Friday can be a fantastic opportunity to save money on gifts and other items you need or want.
However, it’s important to remember that the holiday shopping season can be overwhelming, with countless deals and promotions vying for your attention.
By being informed and prepared, you can cut through the noise and make smart purchasing decisions.
I hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights into Black Friday sales in 2025.
Remember to mark your calendars for November 28, 2025, and start planning early to take full advantage of the sales.
With a little preparation, you can navigate the Black Friday frenzy and score some incredible deals!
