I might write about discounts for a living, but even I’ll admit it: Deal fatigue is real, and sifting through sales during these last few months of the year can feel particularly exhausting. You might have vowed to put markdowns out of mind until Thanksgiving week, but the truth is, early Black Friday deals are already starting to rear their heads. (Yes, really!) That said, I’m here to put your mind at ease; since it’s literally my job to track prices day in and day out, I’ll be here every step of the way to help you navigate the Black Friday hustle and bustle.

As mentioned, some retailers are kicking off their Black Friday sales as we speak, and many will follow suit in the coming days and weeks. Because of this, having a savings mindset early on will work in your favor, as you’ll be able to take advantage of markdowns ahead of the holiday shopping rush and check items off your list before they’re in danger of selling out.

I’ve answered some of the most common questions surrounding the year’s most anticipated sale and even included some super-early discounts I’ve got my eye on. Ready? Let’s get into it.

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday following Thanksgiving; this year, Black Friday 2025 falls on Friday, Nov. 28. That said, with many sales starting early, the entire month has been dubbed “Black November” over the last few years, so keep an eye out for deals in the weeks leading up to the actual event.

Does Black Friday have deals on everything?

While there’s a chance that not every single item on your wishlist will be discounted for Black Friday, it’s safe to assume that many top brands will offer markdowns across a variety of categories — and for some, it’ll be their largest sale event of the year. What can you expect to save big on? “TVs, laptops, gaming consoles and large appliances usually hit their lowest prices around Black Friday,” says RetailMeNot‘s Retail Insights Expert, Stephanie Carls. “The same goes for winter clothing and seasonal items that are not typically gifted.”

Does every store have sales?

Just about 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 shops, but many will get in on the action with discounts of some kind.

Shopping strategies for Black Friday

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

• Research, research, research: “Always do your homework!” says shopping expert Trae Bodge of TrueTrae.com. “Use a tool like Yahoo Shopping to compare prices across all retailers.” (Why thanks, Trae!) Discounts can vary wildly from one brand to the next, and scoping out the whole landscape will help you determine whether something is actually a legitimate deal, not to mention save the most cash.

• Don’t believe everything you see: As someone who tracks markdowns for a living, I’ll be the first to tell you that just because something is called a deal, it doesn’t mean it is one. Starting prices often get a boost in the days or weeks before a large shopping event to make it seem like you’re saving more than you really are. To get a better sense of a product’s price history, you can consult a tracker like Honey, or let our team of shopping pros do the work for you. We’ll be on the hunt for the best Black Friday deals from now through the end of November, sharing our vetted 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 rolling out early Black Friday deals to shop now.

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

• Best Buy: Take hundreds off of laptops, TVs, home appliances and more.

• Brooklinen: Score bedding, bath linens and more for up to 75% off.

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

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

• J.Crew: Get up to 30% off your purchase with code SHOPFALL.

• Kate Spade Outlet: Take up to 70% off just about everything, plus an extra 25% off select styles.

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

• Loft: Save 50% on your purchase during the Friends and Family Event.

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

• Nordstrom: Score new markdowns for up to 70% off.

• Old Navy: Save up to 50% on everything from outerwear to denim to sweaters.

• REI: Get up to 50% off past-season items.

• Spanx: Score up to 65% off sale styles.

• Sur La Table: Save up to 60% on brands like Staub, Le Creuset and more during the Early Black Friday Sale.

• Target: Get up to 50% off holiday decor, tech, home goods and more.

• Walmart: Shop rollbacks and flash deals of up to 90% off.

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

The best early Black Friday deals