Black Friday has been a huge deal in the United States for many years. Promotions and marketing posts, all over social media show good deals, as well as hauls from major influencers showing clothes and home accessories they had gotten from all of the different stores around their city. For those of you not familiar with Black Friday, Black Friday this year will take place on November 26. 2021, (the day after Thanksgiving). Black Friday is a day where the major retail stores like Target, Walmart, Amazon, Kohls and even smaller stores like Hollister, PacSun and American Eagle put their products on massive sale. However, this year looks very different for these stores and many of their consumers. 

Black Friday sales are coming very early this year, having started as early as October. Many retailers have the fear of running out of product or simply extending their deals to raise the popularity of Black Friday shopping. Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2019, many people have been less inclined to go out and shop, thus the popularity of Black Friday shopping has decreased. According to a  CNBC article, “Some 64% of consumers said they are less inclined to shop on Black Friday than they were a few years ago, according to a survey of more than 1,500 consumers … Nearly 60% said they had also lost interest in shopping on Cyber Monday. Those numbers have risen from 55% and 47%, respectively, from last year.” (Thompson and Repko) 

In perspective, many United States consumers have changed their daily habits due to the pandemic.  Online shopping has been a huge success over the past few years, especially since the peak of the pandemic in 2020, thus causing Black Friday shopping to have a significant decline in popularity overall. Furthermore, along the lines of Covid-19, as claimed by CNBC,  “Some publichealth officials have warned that Covid-19 cases could rise sharply as more Americans gather indoors during colder-weather months. Shoppers may spend less on gifts, as they skip large family gatherings or watch their budgets because of unemployment or pay cuts. And the presidential election, which drives a busier news cycle, could become a distraction and limit the time people spend shopping.”  More reasons for stores to lengthen and start their sales sooner and for people to shop simply in the comfort of their homes.

If you are planning to go Black Friday shopping this year, keep in mind there still will be great sales and certain stores that you should shop at for the best deals. It is rumored by Black Friday.com the best stores this year for Black Friday shopping are, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Kohl’s. In addition to these rumors,  Black Friday.com also states that all stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, and not even open at midnight like years past. However, there will still be deals held online on Thanksgiving as it will be a “shopping bonanza”. Whether you shop online or go out this Black Friday, make you stay safe and happy shopping!