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Black Friday always falls on the day after Thanksgiving, but you’re going to see Black Friday deals start popping up as early as October. This year, the big event will happen on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. While most retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, you can shop online for Black Friday deals in the days or hours leading up to the big event. Brick-and-mortar stores open the morning of Black Friday to welcome shoppers in store. Be sure to check out our full list of Black Friday sale dates and store hours for more details.
The day after Thanksgiving is a huge day for retailers and can make up about 20% or more of their annual sales — that’s why it can get so competitive between the major stores like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Amazon. But since inflation has impacted all of our wallets in 2022, it’ll be even harder for retailers to win the battle this year. What does that mean for you? It may be more difficult to sift through all the flashy deals that are only mediocre to get to the very best deals that are really worth your while. But I’ll help you prepare with all the Black Friday basics you need to know.
Text BLACKFRIDAY to 57299 to receive real-time text alerts when Black Friday deals go live.
Black Friday will happen on Nov. 25, 2022, but you’re going to start seeing Black Friday deals on the Sunday before Thanksgiving or online on Thanksgiving Day.
The official shopping holiday always falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but the exact date is different every year. Here are the Black Friday dates from the last five years:
- 2022: Friday, Nov. 25
- 2021: Friday, Nov. 26
- 2020: Friday, Nov. 27
- 2019: Friday, Nov. 29
- 2018: Friday, Nov. 23
What to expect for Black Friday 2022
Sales will start early this year — maybe earlier than ever.
You’ll likely see early deals pop up at the beginning of October. Yes, you read that right. As Halloween decor, costumes, and candy displays take over the shelves, you’ll have the chance to shop for holiday gifts, too. More and more retailers will release early Black Friday deals throughout the month of October. By the time November hits, you can expect a steady flow of deals for the rest of the month.
Check out these early Black Friday sales you can’t miss in 2022.
More people will head back to the stores this year.
Black Friday was once known for in-store deals and special doorbusters starting on Thanksgiving Day. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, the biggest shopping day of the year changed forever. Shoppers were careful to avoid crowds and keep a healthy distance at home. As a result, 2020 was the biggest year yet for online shopping in Black Friday history. People who had never shopped online before turned to the web to make their purchases.
Online shopping decreased slightly in 2021, but shoppers still heavily preferred it. The online deals aren’t going away for 2022, but more people will feel comfortable going into stores now that the Covid-19 risks have eased.
Supply chain issues are still a problem, but they’re not as bad.
The toy shortages in 2021 were a big setback for holiday shoppers. Because of global supply chain issues, toys were literally stuck in shipping containers overseas. All the best toys sold out earlier than ever, and “out of stock” items were common on Black Friday.
Overall, the pandemic was to blame. It resulted in labor issues, inflation, and factory closures, which led to product delays and shortages. While these supply chain issues are not as bad in 2022, it’s still worth shopping for the hottest toys and tech items as early as you can (just to be safe).
Curbside and store pickup will be just as popular in 2022.
Store pickup options are a win-win for retailers and shoppers. Retailers get to boost sales while shoppers get a free and convenient pickup option. Curbside and store pickup will continue to be a big hit in 2022 for those who need gifts fast and want to avoid shipping fees.
Walmart, Amazon, and Target will compete for the lowest prices.
These top three retailers love to battle for the best deals on popular products (think: Apple Airpods, Beats headphones, the Nintendo Switch, and more). KCL will compare prices at these stores throughout the holiday season, so look out for price drops and further markdowns leading up to Black Friday and even the week after.
Download the free KCL mobile app and “favorite” Walmart, Amazon, and Target to see an updated feed of the latest deals.
Loyalty and rewards members will get extra perks.
In 2022, retailers will likely offer exclusive savings for loyalty and rewards members. These programs aren’t hard to find — almost every major retailer has its own loyalty program these days. They’re usually free to join, and you’ll get rewarded for the purchases you make. You may even score some extra Black Friday perks that nonmembers won’t get.
Be sure to sign up for rewards programs at your favorite stores in advance (like, now) so you’re ready to reap the benefits. You can expect offers like free gifts with purchase, free shipping, and early access to Black Friday deals. If you’re wondering which programs stand out in the crowd, we rounded up the best store loyalty programs that help you save money.
Three Tips for a Better Black Friday
1. Only go to the store on Black Friday if the online deals aren’t as good.
Ever since 2020, most deals you see in stores are also available online. So why leave home if you’ll save just as much from your sofa? If all the online deals are the same, don’t bother heading to the store. But if you hear about an in-store-only deal that’s too good to pass up, it may be worth changing out of your pajamas and making a trip to the store.
2. Never pay for shipping on Black Friday.
When you’re saving 60% – 80%, why ruin the fun with a $9.99 standard shipping charge? Don’t assume you HAVE to pay for shipping if you shop deals online. There are plenty of free shipping offers, promo codes, and coupons you can snag to avoid those extra fees. If your search for free shipping doesn’t pan out, choose free curbside or store pickup instead.
Looking for additional ways to escape shipping fees? We have you covered with a complete list of stores that offer free shipping.
3. Bookmark all the KCL Black Friday pages for the latest updates and deals.
The Krazy Coupon Lady team looks forward to Black Friday deals all year, so we’ve had plenty of time to study, prep, and handpick all the best deals and shopping strategies. Keep these KCL guides close as you save your way through the season:
- Black Friday 2022 Ads. As soon as retailers release their 2022 ad previews, we’ll add them right here.
- Black Friday 2022 Deals. Browse a full list of fresh deals on the hottest products. We’ll continue to post new deals as soon as they drop.
- Black Friday 2022 Cheat Sheet. View all our how-to guides for scoring the best deals at your favorite stores.
