Plans for economic ‘massive blackout’ to protest Trump administration
A “massive blackout” of the economy is planned for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to protest the Trump administration.
Black Friday may still be weeks away, but popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target are already announcing early sales and big sales plans.
Thanks to changing consumer trends, sales once reserved for the day or weekend after Thanksgiving have expanded into the weeks before and after that day, giving consumers more opportunities to plan their holiday shopping and score more deals.
Whether you’re looking for the latest technology, toys and goods for your little ones, or a great deal on fashion and beauty products you’ve been holding off on, early savings events and Black Friday flash sales are the perfect time to cross items off your list.
Here’s our guide to preparing for Black Friday, including when and where to shop the hottest deals.
When is Black Friday 2025?
Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving, this year on Thursday, November 27th. That means the shopping holiday will be Friday, November 28th.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is known as one of the biggest shopping and sales events of the year. USA TODAY previously reported that Friday, which occurs the day after Thanksgiving, is believed to have received the title “Black Friday” when Philadelphia police coined the term in the 1950s to describe the chaos observed as out-of-town shoppers flocked to the city.
By 1961, the name had stuck in Philadelphia. But it wasn’t until the late 1980s that the day became nationally popular, and retailers seized the opportunity to reframe the day in a more positive light. They concocted an analogy in which a store went from being “in the red” (experiencing a budget deficit) to experiencing an explosion of sales the day after Thanksgiving and returning to “profitability” (making a profit).
Many people still believe this is the true origin of Black Friday’s name, according to a previous report by USA TODAY.
When will Black Friday sales start in 2025?
As interest in online shopping increases, retailers are rolling out their “Black Friday” sales faster and extending their duration, giving customers more time to get their cash. We’re already seeing price cuts at many retailers, including Macy’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy. However, some of the biggest deals are usually booked on the same day.
When does Amazon’s Black Friday start?
Amazon’s Black Friday 2025 sale begins early Thursday morning, November 20th. USA TODAY’s shopping team expects sales to roll out throughout Cyber Week and the best deals to be announced on Black Friday before discounts end at the end of Cyber Monday on Dec. 1.
This sale includes up to 50% off select Amazon devices, including Echo smart speakers, Fire smart TVs, Fire Stick, Kindle, and Ring doorbells. You can also save up to 55% off popular apparel and home brands like Levi’s, Carhartt, Nike, Dyson, KitchenAid, Bissell, and more.
When does Black Friday start at Walmart?
Walmart’s Black Friday sale begins exclusively online from November 25th to 27th and runs online and in stores from November 28th to 30th. The sale includes up to 60% off everything from cookware and beauty products to toys and clothing.
Ahead of Black Friday, Walmart is offering 50% off annual Walmart+ memberships, giving users early access to deals, free shipping, free delivery, Paramount+ streaming, fuel discounts, and more.
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?
Target’s week-long Black Friday event begins online on Sunday, November 23rd. The retailer offered weekly sales that started even earlier on Sunday, November 2nd, updated every Sunday, and continued until Christmas Eve. We also offer daily deals with even greater discounts (usually around 50% off).
This week’s sales (Nov. 16-22) include a $20 Thanksgiving meal for four, up to 40% off Christmas decorations, up to 50% off national toy brands, and discounts on technology products like Beats headphones and Samsung TVs.
Target will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. The store will open at 6am local time on Friday, November 28th.
When does Black Friday start at Best Buy?
Best Buy’s Black Friday sale starts a little over a week early on Thursday, November 20th.
After the initial release on November 21st, and on Black Friday itself, new discounts will be added to the sale, increasing prices for the holidays. And those who missed out on a good deal won’t have to wait long – Best Buy’s Cyber Sunday and Monday sales begin shortly after Sunday, November 30th.
Sneak peeks include up to 25% off Apple products like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and iPhone 16, up to 45% off laptops like the HP OmniBook tv set.
Best Buy will be closed on Thanksgiving and will open at 6 a.m. on Nov. 28 with extended hours until 10 p.m.
When does Black Friday start at Macy’s?
Macy’s has a number of Black Friday-related sales, the earliest of which was the “Parade of Sales,” which began on November 2nd. The department store’s Black Friday Early Access event was held from November 10th to 13th, the Black Friday Starts Now Sale was held from November 14th to 22nd, and the Black Friday Week Sale was held from November 23rd to 30th.
What’s the difference between all of this? Actually, there’s not much to it other than giving Macy’s a reason to offer discounts over time. Sale items include 40-50% off women’s shoes, 75% off fine jewelry, 50-60% off men’s coats, 20-40% off Lego construction sets, 70% off select mattresses, and $50-350 off Dyson home care products.
Macy’s stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and will reopen on Black Friday with extended hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
When does Black Friday start at Kohl’s?
Kohl’s, like its competitor Macy’s, will hold a Black Friday early access event from November 7th to 9th and extend its Black Friday week event from November 23rd to 29th.
During the event, shoppers can save 15% on eligible purchases and earn $15 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent. A limited-time sale will be held online on Thursday, November 27th, and will run from Thursday, November 29th to Saturday. Saturday shoppers can also receive an additional $10 off eligible $50 purchases.
The sale includes 50% off games, puzzles and toys, 50% off clothing from Nike, Adidas and Under Armor, and nearly 60% off Toastmaster kitchen appliances.
Kohl’s stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and will open at 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.
When does Black Friday start at Ulta?
Ulta’s major Black Friday sale begins online on November 22nd at 8pm ET and in-store on November 23rd at 11am local time.
The popular Shark Beauty tools, which are real competitors to more expensive Dyson styling products, are now up to 40% off, along with the Morphe and Ulta Beauty collections. Luxury makeup and hair brands Tarte and It’s A 10 are offering 50% off products, Olaplex is 30% off and MILK is 35% off.
Ulta stores will be closed on Thanksgiving.
When does Sephora’s Black Friday start?
Beauty industry competitor Sephora is opting for a full Cyber Week in 2025 starting on Monday, November 24th, with early access opening on its app on Saturday, November 22nd.
Unique deals are offered every day of the week, starting with an early in-app sale with 30% off Elemis and Pureology brands on Saturday, November 22nd, and 30% off on Biossance and Kate Somerville brands on Sunday, November 23rd.
Every day until Thursday, December 4th, NARS, Lancôme, Tarte, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Victor & Rolf, Urban Decay, Vegamore, Fresh, Sunday Riley, Fenty Beauty, Paula’s Choice, Drunk Elephant, Estée Lauder, Peter Thomas Roth, Ole Henriksen, Makeup Four Ever, Ralph Lauren, Ariana Grande, Youth to the People, First Aid, Too Faced, Bumble and Bumble, Milk Makeup, Marc Jacobs Fragrances, Laura Mercier, IT Cosmetics, Hugo Boss.
There will also be additional sales available through Monday, December 1st, including 50% off select beauty products and 50% off fragrances. Beauty Insiders can also receive free gifts with select purchases, including free sample bags and 4x points on fragrances.
Sephora typically has in-store sales on Black Friday, but the chain has not announced its plans for this year. However, all major sales will take place online.
