Black Friday 2025: Your Guide to teh Biggest Shopping Event of the Year
Table of Contents
Black Friday deals season is fast approaching, promising the biggest shopping opportunities of the year. If you’re hoping to save money on gifts and essentials in 2025, this upcoming sales event is your best bet. Black Friday has evolved beyond a single day, with deals appearing weeks before Thanksgiving.
When Do Black Friday Sales Actually start?
black Friday officially falls on November 28th this year, but retailers are expected to launch sales much earlier. Based on previous years, major online retailers will likely begin offering “early” Black Friday discounts starting in early November, or even on Halloween, continuing through the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Best Buy has already revealed its plans, with sales starting on Thursday, November 20th. Amazon, following last year’s trend, is almost certain to match Best Buy’s start time.Shoppers will be able to complete most of their online Black Friday shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving, and brick-and-mortar stores may offer full discounts even sooner.
What Deals to Expect From Major Retailers
Predicting exact discounts is challenging given ongoing tariffs and recent price increases, but experts have a good idea of what to anticipate. “The IGN Deals team has been covering shopping events all year and we have a decent idea of what you can expect, even if the prices will be higher than what we saw last year,” one analyst noted. here’s a breakdown by retailer:
Amazon
Amazon is renowned for its tech deals. While Amazon and Walmart will likely price match many items, Best Buy will likely maintain a complete selection of Apple devices, TVs, and video games.Console deals on the PS5/PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X are also expected, potentially including gift cards with purchases. Best Buy is also a key retailer for handheld gaming PCs and laptops, including the ROG Xbox Ally X, and is expected to offer price cuts on previous generation ROG Ally devices and laptops with the latest 50-series GPUs.
Target Black Friday
Target’s Black Friday sale will likely mirror Walmart’s, with similar discounts on video games, toys, Apple products, and appliances. However, Target differentiates itself with exclusive partnerships and home brands, offering discounts on items unavailable elsewhere. The retailer has also consistently offered unique discounts on select toys that Amazon hasn’t matched,such as LEGO sets.
Costco Black Friday
Costco’s Black Friday sale is somewhat unpredictable,but consistently offers some of the best deals available. Expect steep discounts on furniture, jewelry, and electronics, alongside warehouse discounts on items like Kirkland Signature jewelry and limited-time furniture offerings. Grocery deals, particularly on Thanksgiving staples like turkey, are also anticipated.
What Won’t Go on Sale This Year
while Black Friday offers discounts on most items, some products are unlikely to see significant price reductions due to their novelty or high demand. Such as, Nintendo’s recently launched Switch 2 is unlikely to be discounted beyond existing bundles. Similarly, the recently released xbox Ally X is unlikely to receive a discount so soon after its launch. New LEGO releases, typically, won’t be discounted for at least six months.
Planning Your Black Friday Shopping
Starting your Black Friday planning now can maximize your savings. Here are a few tips to consider:
- Set a Budget: Avoid overspending by determining how much you can realistically spend.
- Create a Shopping List: Focus your purchases by identifying specific items you’re looking for.
- Compare Prices: Don’t assume one retailer has the best price; compare across multiple websites.
- Research Before You Buy: For expensive purchases, read independent reviews from trusted sources.
- Be Wary of Search results and AI Summaries: Be cautious of sponsored links and potentially biased AI summaries on search platforms.
for the latest updates and expert insights, follow the IGN Deals team. Their over 30 years of combined experience can help you navigate the Black friday landscape and secure the best possible deals.
