Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving
Black Friday — the Friday after the fourth Thursday of November in the United States — has grown from a regional US shopping tradition into the biggest discount day on the global retail calendar. Major sales now extend across all of Cyber Week, from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.
Where the name comes from
The name "Black Friday" was first used by Philadelphia police in the 1960s, describing the heavy traffic the day after Thanksgiving. Retailers later rebranded the day around being "in the black" — profitable for the year — once holiday shopping began.
What's actually on sale
- TVs and electronics: Loss-leader deals from big-box stores; check exact model numbers, not just brands.
- Laptops and tablets: Prior-year models go deepest; current-year usually 5–15% off.
- Clothing and homeware: Genuine 50–70% off at most chains.
- Cookware (Le Creuset, KitchenAid, Vitamix): Black Friday is when these brands actually discount.
- Online subscriptions: VPNs, software and streaming services often have year-low prices.
How to actually save money
- Make a list before. Decide what you'd buy at full price anyway. Stick to it.
- Check price history on tools like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) or Honey. Many "deals" are old prices marked down to current.
- Compare across retailers. Big-box stores often match each other within an hour. Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Amazon.
- Cyber Monday for electronics, Black Friday for in-store doorbusters.
- Watch return windows. Most retailers extend returns for holiday purchases — but not all.
Fact
US shoppers spent $9.8 billion online on Black Friday 2023 — a record, up 7.5% year-over-year. The figure does not include in-store sales.
Black Friday FAQ
When is Black Friday?
The Friday after the fourth Thursday of November, i.e. the day after US Thanksgiving. It moves slightly each year — between November 23 and November 29.
When does Cyber Monday come in?
The Monday immediately after Black Friday. It started in 2005 as an online-only counterpart and has become almost as big as Black Friday itself.
Are Black Friday deals really worth it?
Some are real (TVs, kitchenware, Apple products at participating retailers). Many are inflated — items marked up in October just to be 'discounted' in November. Always price-check first.
Is Black Friday a global event now?
Yes. The UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Brazil and India all run major Black Friday campaigns, though local laws limit some practices.
What about online vs in-store?
Online deals run from Thursday evening through Cyber Monday. In-store doorbusters require early arrival but often have stock-limited deep discounts. Pick which one suits you — both have pros.
