The dealnews Black Friday Calendar: Important dates for Wal-Mart, Best Buy, more
Count on dealnews for all of your Black Friday information ... validated and price-checked, a claim only dealnews makes. Tune in next Monday for our Black Friday Survival Guide. Then, come back anytime on Thanksgiving or Black Friday, as we'll be pushing out hot deals 24 hours a day for those two days.
Be sure to scroll down for an explanation of each day.
Monday, 11/19: Walmart.com has confirmed that it's releasing its full Black Friday advertisement online on this day. Sam's Club has said that it's doing the same this year. Last year, Toys "R" Us and Micro Center also released their Black Friday sales on this day.
Tuesday, 11/20: By early morning last year, Best Buy released its Black Friday ad on this day. Also on this day last year: IKEA and LEGO.com.
Wednesday, 11/21: Most other "big box" stores will release their Black Friday ads by today, based on historical patterns. That includes Staples, Circuit City, Target, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Dick's Sporting Goods, and more.
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, 11/22: Also called "Black Thursday," most Black Friday specials will be available for online ordering on this day (excluding some doorbusters) at BestBuy.com, Staples.com, CircuitCity.com, and many others, based on historical patterns. Walmart.com and SamsClub.com will have special Thanksgiving Day sales online. Also, Amazon.com will release the results of its latest "Customer Votes" promotion (last year, a $100 Xbox 360 was so popular, it took down Amazon's servers.) Last year some "slow movers" didn't post Black Friday information until today, including Linens 'n Things and Lowe's.
Black Friday, 11/23. In addition to the big box retailers, expect Black Friday sales from The Apple Store (online only), Target.com, HomeDepot.com, and others. SportsAuthority.com and Kohls.com advertised online doorbusters last year, although those doorbusters weren't particularly good deals. Walmart.com sold many of the best doorbusters from Wal-Mart stores. Amazon.com has confirmed its intention to have an online Black Friday sale.
With so many Black Friday deals purchasable online, and with many other online sales available on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, you might be able to skip going to a store that weekend entirely.
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