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The Complete Guide to Black Friday in the U.S.: What Black Friday Is, What Goes on Sale, When to Hit the Outlets and How to Shop Online

The Complete Guide to Black Friday in the U.S.: What Black Friday Is, What Goes on Sale, When to Hit the Outlets and How to Shop Online

🛍️ Black Friday is coming! The Black Friday guide every new immigrant needs

Every year, the day after Thanksgiving in November brings America's wildest shopping day: Black Friday.

If you're new to the U.S., Black Friday can look like chaos, but once you know the rules, it's the best time of the whole year to buy.

This article explains Black Friday in one go:

  • What is Black Friday, and why is it called that?
  • What kinds of products are discounted most for Black Friday 2025?
  • Online shopping or in-store: which should you choose?
  • When is the best time to go to the outlets?
  • Which traps should you avoid?

🖤 What is Black Friday, and why is it called that?

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and America's traditional biggest shopping day of the year.

Where the name comes from:

  • U.S. retailers' sales surge on this day and their books go "from red to black" (from loss to profit), so it's called Black Friday.
  • The day marks the official start of the Christmas shopping season.

Today, Black Friday is no longer just one day. Most brands stretch their sales into:

  • Black Friday Week
  • Cyber Monday
  • Holiday Deals", running all the way into December

🎁 What do people buy on Black Friday? Which categories have the biggest discounts?

The hottest Black Friday discount categories:

🛒 1. Electronics and tech (the biggest discounts)

  • MacBook, iPad, AirPods
  • Dyson, Roomba
  • Sony TV, LG TV
  • Nintendo Switch, PS5
    These products usually get $50–$500 off on Black Friday, a price you'll hardly see again the rest of the year.

👜 2. Clothing, shoes and bags (40%–60% OFF)

  • Nike, Adidas, Under Armour
  • GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic
  • Coach, Michael Kors (best deals at the outlets)

🏠 3. Home goods and small appliances

  • Instant Pot
  • Ninja air fryer
  • Mattresses (Casper, Purple)
  • Costco appliance bundles

🎄 4. Pre-Christmas shopping (decorations, gift sets)

Black Friday is the best time to stock up for Christmas.

🧑‍💻 Online vs. in-store: which should you choose?

📦 Online Shopping

Best for: avoiding crowds, comparing prices, grabbing big appliances

Advantages:

  • More transparent prices
  • Convenient delivery
  • Easy returns (especially at Amazon, Target and Walmart)

Popular platforms:

  • Amazon
  • Best Buy
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Costco (members only)

🛍️ In-store Shopping

Best for: trying things on, buying clothes and shoes, in-store Clearance that's even cheaper

Popular stores:

  • Macy’s
  • Target
  • Best Buy
  • Kohl’s

⚠️ Quick tip:

Don't line up in the middle of the night! These days most deals are cheaper online than in stores.

🏬 How to shop the outlets, and when's the best time?

Outlet discounts around Black Friday are usually steeper than usual, but they don't start on Black Friday itself.

If you're new to the U.S., aim for these prime times:

⭐ Best times to shop the outlets

  1. Black Friday morning, 6–9am → lowest prices
  2. Saturday after Black Friday, before noon → avoid the crowds
  3. Some stores open early on Thanksgiving Day (some states don't allow stores to open) → early shopping is easier
  4. Sunday after Black Friday, final markdowns (Last Call) → the sweetest clearance deals

Best-value stores:

  • Coach (often 70% OFF)
  • Michael Kors
  • Nike / Adidas
  • Gap / Old Navy
  • Samsonite luggage (a Black Friday must-buy)

📱 Black Friday price comparison and money-saving tools (must-haves for newcomers)

4 Black Friday tools Americans themselves love:

  1. Honey (applies promo codes automatically)
  2. Rakuten (5%–20% cash back)
  3. CamelCamelCamel (Amazon price history)
  4. Slickdeals (user discussions + real-time deals)

⚠️ Common Black Friday traps & things to watch

❌ Don't rush to buy products with no discount history

Some brands raise prices before Black Friday and then "discount" them, especially on Amazon.

❌ Outlets aren't always cheaper than online

Coach / MK are the exception, but Nike and Adidas are actually cheaper online.

❌ Don't buy the most basic TV models

Black Friday special models are lower quality, usually cheap special editions made for Best Buy / Walmart.

❌ Check the warranty on small appliances

Some Black Friday products are "outlet models" → shorter warranty.

🧾 Final thoughts: Black Friday is a huge money-saving chance for new immigrants!

If you've just moved to the U.S., Black Friday is the time to:

✔ Furnish your new home

✔ Buy winter clothes

✔ Get supplies for your kids

✔ Pick up electronics

It's the cheapest day of the year.

With this guide, you can shop smart, feel confident and avoid the traps!

I'm C.  I'm from Taiwan and now run a business in Los Angeles. When I first arrived, the challenges were everywhere! From the language barrier to culture shock, every small detail took me a long time to figure out. Those experiences taught me how to adapt quickly here, until I was in my element. I've put years of that experience on this site to help newcomers like me settle into life in the U.S. more easily and quickly. Whether it's moving here, finding a job or handling everyday tasks, you'll find plenty of practical shortcuts and solutions so you can skip the detours. I hope what I share helps you start your new life in America smoothly, with less effort and a lot more fun!

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