Black Friday 2025 falls on November 28th, and savvy shoppers are already preparing their battle plans. With retailers starting deals earlier each year and flash sales lasting mere hours, having a solid strategy is the difference between scoring incredible deals and missing out entirely.
After 8 years of tracking Black Friday prices across hundreds of retailers and analyzing over 50,000 deals, I've developed a proven system that consistently saves shoppers 40-70% on their holiday purchases. This guide shares everything I've learned.
Black Friday 2025 Key Dates
- November 1: Early Black Friday deals begin (Amazon, Walmart)
- November 22: Black Friday Week kicks off
- November 28: Black Friday
- November 29: Black Friday Weekend
- December 1: Cyber Monday
- December 2: Extended Cyber Week
Black Friday Shopping Timeline
Research Phase
Start tracking prices now. Use CamelCamelCamel for Amazon, Keepa for price history. Create your wishlist and note current prices so you can spot fake "deals" later.
Early Bird Deals
Amazon, Walmart, and Target start releasing early deals. Don't buy anything unless it matches or beats historical Black Friday prices.
Black Friday Week
Deals intensify. Many of the best deals actually drop this week, not on Friday itself. Monitor daily deal pages religiously.
The Main Event Begins
Most online deals go live Thursday evening (6-8 PM ET). Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart launch major doorbusters.
Black Friday Proper
In-store deals begin early morning. Many online deals continue but inventory depletes quickly. Check for restocks at noon and 6 PM.
Cyber Monday
Tech deals peak. This is often the best day for laptops, software, and gadgets. Fashion and home goods see significant markdowns too.
What to Buy (and When) for Maximum Savings
| Category | Best Day to Buy | Expected Discount | Top Retailers |
|---|---|---|---|
| TVs | Black Friday | 40-65% off | Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart |
| Laptops | Cyber Monday | 30-50% off | Best Buy, Dell, Amazon |
| Gaming Consoles | Black Friday | Bundles save $100+ | GameStop, Target, Walmart |
| Smartphones | Cyber Monday | $200-400 off w/ trade-in | Best Buy, Carriers, Apple |
| Small Appliances | Black Friday | 50-70% off | Kohl's, Target, Amazon |
| Clothing/Fashion | Black Friday | 40-60% + extra % | Nordstrom, Gap, Old Navy |
| Toys | Early November | 30-50% off | Target, Amazon, Walmart |
| Smart Home | Cyber Monday | 40-60% off | Amazon, Best Buy |
Essential Pre-Black Friday Preparation
1. Build Your Wishlist Now
Create accounts at major retailers and add items to your wishlist. This makes checkout faster (critical for flash sales) and enables price drop alerts. Recommended: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Kohl's, and any specialty retailers for your interests.
2. Set Up Price Tracking
Install these essential tools:
- CamelCamelCamel: Amazon price history tracking
- Keepa: Detailed Amazon price charts
- Honey: Automatic coupon application + price tracking
- Capital One Shopping: Price comparison across retailers
Pro Tip: Spotting Fake Deals
Retailers sometimes inflate prices in October, then "discount" them on Black Friday to regular prices. Use price tracking tools to see the 90-day price history. A genuine Black Friday deal should be at or near the historical low.
3. Prepare Payment Methods
- Ensure credit card information is saved in accounts
- Set up Apple Pay/Google Pay for faster mobile checkout
- Consider which credit card offers best cashback for each retailer
- Have backup payment methods ready (sites crash, payments fail)
4. Download Retailer Apps
Many retailers offer app-exclusive deals or early access. Download apps from: Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Kohl's, Home Depot, and any other stores you plan to shop.
Black Friday Shopping Strategies That Actually Work
Strategy 1: The Early Bird (Pre-November)
Some of the best deals actually appear before Black Friday. Amazon Prime Day in October often has deals that rival or beat Black Friday on certain items. Don't wait if you see a great price early.
Strategy 2: The Night Owl (Thanksgiving Evening)
Set alarms for 6 PM and 8 PM ET on Thanksgiving. This is when most major online sales go live. Have browser tabs pre-loaded with your wishlist items.
Strategy 3: The Morning Hunter (Black Friday 5 AM)
If you prefer in-store shopping, doorbuster deals start at 5-6 AM. Arrive 1-2 hours early for the best items. Bring a fully charged phone to price-check deals on the spot.
Strategy 4: The Cyber Specialist (Cyber Monday Focus)
If you're primarily after tech, Cyber Monday is your day. Prices on electronics, software, and digital services are typically equal to or better than Black Friday.
Store-by-Store Strategy Guide
Amazon
- Lightning deals rotate hourly - set notifications for items you want
- Best deals on Amazon devices (Echo, Fire TV, Kindle) - often 50%+ off
- Prime members get 30-minute early access to many deals
- Check "Other Sellers" for better prices on some items
Walmart
- Walmart+ members get early access (7 AM ET vs 12 PM for non-members)
- Excellent TV and gaming console deals
- Price matching available - bring competitor ads
- Online deals often better than in-store
Best Buy
- Best retailer for TV and laptop deals
- Member rewards stack with credit card offers
- Flash sales throughout the day - check hourly
- Open-box deals offer additional 10-20% savings
Target
- RedCard holders get extra 5% off everything
- Target Circle offers stack with sale prices
- Best retailer for toys, small appliances, home goods
- Drive-up pickup available for fast fulfillment
Common Black Friday Mistakes to Avoid
Critical Mistakes That Cost Money
- Buying without price history research - You might pay more than regular prices
- Falling for "doorbuster" hype on mediocre products - Low-quality items are often used to draw traffic
- Not reading return policies - Some Black Friday items have restricted returns
- Ignoring shipping deadlines - Order early enough for Christmas delivery
- Missing credit card rewards - Use the right card for each purchase category
Post-Black Friday: Don't Stop Saving
The deals don't end on Cyber Monday:
- Green Monday (Dec 9): Another wave of online deals
- Free Shipping Day (Dec 14): Last chance for guaranteed Christmas delivery
- Super Saturday (Dec 21): Final pre-Christmas sale push
- After Christmas (Dec 26+): Clearance deals up to 75% off
Conclusion: Your Black Friday Action Plan
Black Friday success comes down to preparation. Start tracking prices now, build your wishlist, set up your tools, and know exactly when and where you'll shop. With this strategy, you'll save significantly while avoiding the stress and mistakes that cost casual shoppers money every year.
Bookmark This Page
We'll update this guide throughout November with the hottest deals and time-sensitive tips. Check back regularly for real-time deal alerts and strategy updates as Black Friday approaches.