Black Friday shopping is already starting. Here's what to look out for this year.
The countdown to Black Friday has begun, and deals have already started going up.
People are starting their holiday shopping earlier and earlier every year, which has pushed a typical Black Friday daylong sales event weeks and sometimes even months earlier. But Black Friday is still considered the biggest shopping day of the year, and retailers are still expecting major turnouts all day long.
The National Retail Federation predicted that the average shopper will spend nearly $875 on gifts, decorations, food and other seasonal items this season. Last year, a record 196.7 million consumers shopped either in-person or online over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Here’s what to know about Black Friday shopping in Delaware, from the early opening hours to the deals that have already started.
When is Black Friday this year?
Black Friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving. This year it will be Nov. 24. The shopping holiday’s digital counterpart, Cyber Monday, will take place Nov. 27.
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When will stores open on Black Friday?
Not all retailers in Delaware have confirmed their Black Friday hours yet. Here's a look at what we know about when major shopping centers will be open.
Dover Mall: 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Tanger Outlets Rehoboth: 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Concord Mall: 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Christiana Mall: The Christiana Mall will open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Black Friday, but the department stores operate on their own schedules. Macy's will be open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m., Nordstrom will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and JC Penney will be open from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.
More: This new store is opening Friday at Christiana Mall
The Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth will grant TangerClub members to exclusive deals on Black Friday from 6 a.m. until noon at stores like Under Armour, Columbia, Crocs and more. The outlets will also extend their hours for the Black Friday weekend. They will be open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25 and 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Looking past Black Friday, the Christiana Mall's holiday hours will begin on Dec. 8, after which the mall will be open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. until 7 pm. on Sundays. Santa will arrive at the mall starting Friday, Nov. 10.
What deals will there be this year?
Many deals have already begun, and others continue to be announced as Black Friday gets closer.
Updated deals: Black Friday Guide 2023
Here are some deals to look out for.
Target announced it will be holding a Deal of the Day from now until Dec. 24. Every day there will be a discount available exclusively for Target Circle members (which is free to sign up for). Shoppers with a RedCard will also get an additional 5% off their purchases and free two-day shipping.
The retail giant gave a sneak peek at the sales expected to be on display during their Black Friday sales event. Some deals include up to $100 off select Apple iPads, $100 off Beats Solo3 wireless headphones, up to 40% off small kitchen appliances and more.
Target also has a Holiday Price Match guarantee until Dec. 24. If the price on a certain item goes lower at Target or select competitors later in the season, Target will match the pricing within two weeks of the purchase.
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The home store will be holding its pre-Black Friday sale until Nov. 29., with discounts on artificial trees, appliances and home décor.
JC Penney’s Black Friday deals started on Friday, Nov. 3. They have made a commitment to slashing prices across categories to "2019 pre-inflation prices".
Bonus savings and giveaways will also drop at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Black Friday.
Walmart announced that it will hold two Black Friday sales in November. The first will took place online starting at 3 p.m. on Nov. 8 and will continue in stores on Friday, Nov. 10.
The second event will begin online at 3 p.m. on Nov. 22 and continue in stores Nov. 24 (Black Friday). Stores will operate on a normal schedule, from 6 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Expect savings on products like Apple Watch Series 9, 50" Roku TVs, Airpods, kids' toys and more.
Best Buy’s official Black Friday sale starts Nov. 17 and ends on Nov. 25 before its Cyber Monday sales take place Nov. 26-27.
The store will also open an hour earlier for most of November to accommodate for holiday shopping sprees. Starting Nov. 6, the stores are open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store closes at 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Like Target, Best Buy also has a price match guarantee for the holiday shopping season as well as an extended return and exchange policy.
Lowe’s currently has a “Black Friday Every Day” sale that will continue through Nov. 22 in stores and online. Black Friday Golden Gable Deals last from Nov. 23 until Nov. 29 when customers can shop additional deals. There will also be exclusive online deals on Thanksgiving.
Lowe’s will also have a 25 Days of Deals event from Nov. 30 until Dec. 24.
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Macy’s first Black Friday Early Access event is from Nov. 7 through Nov. 13. New deals will drop from Nov. 14 through Nov. 19, followed by the department stores’ Black Friday deals which will be available from Nov. 20 through Nov. 26.
A Macy’s press release gave a sneak peek at some of the deals to expect for the early access and Black Friday sale events, including 75% off fine jewelry, 50% off designer handbags, 60-65% off women’s coats, 60% off toys and kids’ apparel and more.
Macy’s stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and will reopen on Black Friday with extended hours from 6:00 a.m. until midnight.
Shopping tips
Many Black Friday and holiday shopping deals are only made available to “exclusive” members for different stores. These memberships are usually free of charge and can open some new doors to the deals made available to you.
Curbside pickup and online deliveries will most likely be a popular option this holiday season. Evaluate whether shopping in person will be worth it, especially during retail “rush hours” and weekends.
Start early. There’s a reason why retailers are extending their Black Friday deals ahead of time, it usually means the demand for gifts and products is already high.
Happy shopping!
Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to do Black Friday shopping in Delaware this year
