Epic holiday savings from Amazon, Walmart, and Target, plus everything you need to know about the biggest sale of the year

As a shopping writer, I realize that what I’m about to say may be taboo, but here goes: transaction fatigue is real! I mean, I doubt any of us will ever tire of saving money, but every time this time of year rolls around, it seems like we’re bombarded with sales messages 24/7 – and Black Friday is still over two weeks away! GOOD, technically, it does — in recent years, this entire month has been dubbed “Black November,” as retailers offer early Black Friday deals before the Thanksgiving turkey is carved.

If you’re thinking, “Ugh, I have tons of holiday prep to do and I really don’t have time to wade through a mountain of sales,” don’t worry, I’ve got you. It’s literally my job to track the deals, tell you about the ones worth checking out, and steer you away from the ones that aren’t worth checking out. I’ll be here every step of the way to help you navigate the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, instead of getting swallowed up. Some retailers have already launched the project, and more will follow in the coming days – which is why switching to “smart savings mode” now works in your favor. You can take advantage of good discounts early on, before stocks start to dwindle and before everyone is frantically panic buying at the last second.

I’ve answered some of the most common questions about the most anticipated sale of the year below, and if you’re curious about what’s on sale as we speak, I’ve also included some early discounts that I have my eye on. Ready? Let’s go.

The best early Black Friday deals

Black Friday FAQ

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving; This year, Black Friday 2025 falls on Friday, November 28. That said, with many sales starting early, the entire month has been dubbed “Black November” in recent years, so keep an eye out for deals in the weeks leading up to the event itself.

Does Black Friday have deals on everything?

While it’s possible that not every item on your wishlist will be discounted for Black Friday, it’s safe to assume that many big brands will be offering discounts across a variety of categories – and for some, this will be their biggest sales event of the year. What can you expect to save big on? “TVs, laptops, gaming consoles and major appliances typically hit their lowest prices around Black Friday,” says Stephanie Carls, Retail Insights expert at RetailMeNot. “The same goes for winter clothing and seasonal items that are not typically given as gifts.”

Does every store have sales?

Almost every major retailer will have a Black Friday sale, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Wayfair, and The Home Depot. Sales vary among smaller brands and independent stores, but many will get in on the action with discounts of some kind.

Black Friday Shopping Strategies

• Have a plan: Don’t wait until Black Friday to browse what’s on sale: create a wishlist and track prices now. Many retailers will start offering discounts well before the big day, so if you see a truly fabulous price, act quickly before items sell out. Plus, knowing what you’re looking for ahead of time will help streamline and speed up the process.

• Search, search, search: “Always do your homework!” says shopping expert Trae Bodge of TrueTrae.com. “Use a tool like Yahoo Shopping to compare prices across retailers.” (Why thanks, Trae!) Discounts can vary wildly from brand to brand, and looking at the whole landscape will help you determine if something is actually a legitimate deal, let alone saving the most money.

• Don’t believe everything you see: As someone who watches markdowns for a living, I’ll be the first to tell you that just because something is called a deal, doesn’t mean it is one. Starting prices are often increased in the days or weeks leading up to a major sales event to allow seem as if you are saving more than you really are. To get a better idea of ​​a product’s pricing history, you can check out a tracking tool like Honey or let our team of shopping professionals do the work for you. We’ll be on the hunt for the best Black Friday deals between now and the end of November, sharing our curated picks.

The best sales to shop before Black Friday:

Many retailers are offering early discounts to help you get ahead of the Black Friday rush, and some, like Wayfair, Macy’s, Best Buy, Sur La Table, and Kate Spade Outlet, have even started offering Black Friday deals to shop now.

• Amazon: The online mega-retailer is offering savings of up to 75% on everything from home goods and electronics to clothing and beauty finds.

• Best buy: Remove hundreds of laptops, TVs, appliances and more.

• from Brookline: Get up to 75% off bedding, bath linens and more.

• Cozy land: Get up to 55% off Oprah-approved bedding, loungewear and more.

• Everlane: Get up to 40% off sale items.

• J.Crew: Get almost every outerwear item on sale and save an extra 50% on sale styles with code BUY QUICKLY.

• Kate Spade release: Take up to 70% off almost everything, plus an additional 25% off select styles.

• Kohl’s: Get up to 70% off clearance bedding, clothing, shoes and more.

• Attic: Take 50% off your entire purchase and get an additional 50% off sale styles.

• Macy’s: Shop over 500 early Black Friday deals and save up to 80%.

• Nordstrom: Benefit from new markdowns of up to 70% off.

• Old Navy: Save up to 60% on everything from sweaters to denim.

• RI: Get up to 50% off last season’s items.

• spanx: Get up to 65% off sale styles.

• On the table: Save up to 60% on brands like Staub, Le Creuset and more during the Early Black Friday Sale, and get 20% off your order with code FRIEND.

• Target: Get up to 70% off Vera Bradley luggage, 60% off holiday decor and more.

• Home deposit: Save up to 50% on appliances, tools and more with Black Friday deals.

• Walmart: Store discounts and flash deals up to 90% off.

• Wayfair: Stock up on furniture, decor and more for up to 70% off during the Early Black Friday event.