The Black Friday deals season is just around the corner, marking the year’s biggest shopping holiday and the prime opportunity for incredible discounts on almost everything. If you’re looking to save big on gifts and essentials in 2025, this highly anticipated event is your best bet.
Keep in mind that Black Friday has grown far beyond just a single day of sales. While many shoppers still plan to make most of their purchases over Thanksgiving weekend, you’ll undoubtedly find amazing deals starting much earlier.
When Do Black Friday Sales Actually Start?
While Black Friday itself falls on November 28 this year, savvy shoppers know that sales kick off much earlier. Drawing from previous years’ trends, we anticipate major online retailers will begin rolling out “early” Black Friday discounts at the start of November, leading right up to Thanksgiving week. The official Black Friday sales will then truly come alive immediately after.
For instance, last year, a prominent online retailer initiated its sales on the Thursday before Thanksgiving weekend. If this pattern holds for 2025, expect the core Black Friday sales to begin around Thursday, November 20 this year. In fact, you’ll likely complete most of your online Black Friday shopping during the weekend preceding Thanksgiving.
Though no official announcements have been made by major retailers yet, it’s a safe bet that online shoppers can find the best deals the weekend before Thanksgiving in 2025. For many brick-and-mortar stores, you may be able to expect the full discounts even earlier.
What Deals to Expect From Major Retailers
With ongoing tariffs and recent price increases, predicting exact discounts for the 2025 Black Friday season can be challenging. However, based on extensive coverage of shopping events throughout the year, we have a good idea of what you can expect, even if some prices might be slightly higher than in previous years.
Amazon Black Friday
Amazon consistently hosts one of the largest Black Friday sales annually, offering discounts on a vast array of products. Building on past sales events like Prime Day, expect similar savings on Amazon devices, with Kindle e-readers, Fire TV sticks, and Echo speaker bundles likely to see the lowest prices. Expect deals on the Luna controller and its bundles to continue, with some discounts potentially exclusive to Prime members.
Beyond its own devices, Amazon often price-matches popular products from other retailers. This means you can anticipate discounts on items such as Apple devices, LEGO sets, laptops, and TVs. Amazon’s Black Friday sale typically aims to offer prices competitive with, or even lower than, its rivals for these categories.
Walmart Black Friday
Following Amazon, Walmart is another major player in Black Friday sales, with discounts available both in-store and online. Online savings usually kick off a bit earlier. Walmart often features some of the best deals on Apple products like iPads and AirPods, as well as the year’s lowest prices on Walmart-exclusive brands such as Onn electronics, certain Vizio TVs, specific gaming PC configurations, and various home appliances.
Historically, Walmart has also offered standout Nintendo Switch deals. Look out for similar offers this year, potentially on newer Switch games or Pokémon cards. Some discounts may be available early for Walmart+ members, a trend seen in other major sales this year.
In addition to popular tech and games, Walmart’s Black Friday event typically includes deals on groceries, clothing, and toys. They are particularly known for good LEGO discounts, though stock can be limited.
Best Buy Black Friday
Best Buy’s Black Friday sale is usually the go-to for a wide range of tech deals during the holiday season. While many of their discounts will be price-matched by Amazon and Walmart, Best Buy will still likely feature sales on Apple devices, TVs, and video games. Expect some kind of video game console offer on systems like the PS5/PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X. Given recent price increases, this might take the form of a free Best Buy gift card with your purchase, which still provides added value.
Beyond consoles and games, Best Buy is often a top destination for handheld gaming PCs and laptops. With the recent launch of new devices, Best Buy has been a consistent source for availability. Look for potential price cuts on previous generation ROG Ally devices and other popular handhelds. Competitive pricing on newer laptops equipped with the latest GPUs is also expected.
Target Black Friday
Target’s Black Friday sale usually mirrors Walmart’s in many aspects, with similar discounts on video games, toys, Apple products, and home appliances. Target distinguishes itself through its exclusive partnerships with various home brands, often being the only place to find these items at a discount during the holiday season. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone planning home decor upgrades.
Target has also been known to offer unique discounts on specific toys that other major retailers, including Amazon, haven’t been able to price match. A recent example involved a LEGO sale on new 2025 sets, where Amazon only matched some of the deals. Expect a similar situation this Black Friday, making price comparisons crucial for popular toy items.
Costco Black Friday
Costco’s Black Friday season can be a bit unpredictable, but it consistently delivers some of the best deals available. While the specific savings vary year to year, Costco reliably offers significant discounts on furniture, jewelry, and electronics. Expect to find competitive prices on select TVs and video games, often matching those found at other major retailers. You can also anticipate substantial warehouse-exclusive discounts, such as on Kirkland Signature jewelry or limited-time furniture selections.
Beyond typical holiday gifts and household items, Costco usually provides excellent grocery deals during this period, often available before Thanksgiving on staples like turkey, snacks, and other essentials. Buying in bulk combined with these stacked savings can offer significant value.
Tips for Black Friday Shopping Online
While it might seem early, planning your Black Friday shopping strategy now can lead to substantial savings. Here are some key tips to consider before the event:
- Set a Budget – It’s crucial to track how much you can realistically spend to avoid overspending. With so many tempting sales, it’s easy to buy more than you need simply because prices are at their lowest.
- Create a Shopping List – Knowing precisely what items you’re hunting for discounts on helps prevent impulse buys. It also simplifies comparing prices across different retailers and setting up price drop alerts in advance.
- Compare Prices – Retail giants like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart offer convenient one-stop shopping. However, they don’t always have the absolute best price for every item. Always compare prices across various platforms before making a purchase to ensure you get the best deal.
- Research Before You Buy – For significant purchases, always conduct thorough research. Look for independent reviews or trustworthy testimonials about the products. Don’t solely rely on reviews from the retailer’s own website.
- Be Wary of Search Results and AI Summaries – Search platforms can be inundated with sponsored links and potentially biased AI summaries. Exercise caution and avoid clicking on sponsored ads if your goal is to find impartial reviews or accurate price comparisons.