The annual Black Friday sale has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the e-commerce industry, marking the explosive start of the holiday shopping season that stretches from Thanksgiving right through to Christmas and New Year. This event has evolved significantly, with retailers now launching promotions weeks in advance, bombarding potential customers with a constant stream of offer notifications and emails, all building up to the main event.
The Shifting Landscape of Holiday Shopping
Despite these extended sales periods, the most lucrative offers are still concentrated during the core period from Black Friday through to Cyber Monday. This is particularly true for high-value purchases like electronic goods, alongside seasonal items and the latest trendy products. The significance of this period for retailers is immense. A Bloomberg report highlights that US retailers generate a staggering 20% of their annual sales just in the months of November and December.
This year, the competition is fiercer than ever as companies vie for the attention of an increasingly price-conscious and anxious consumer base. While spending continues, especially among the top 10% of earners, shoppers are becoming far more selective. Many are planning to use the Black Friday sales not for splurging on luxuries, but strategically to stock up on essential items, according to the same report.
Black Friday 2025: Complete Store Timings Guide
For shoppers planning to hit the stores, here is a detailed list of opening and closing times for major retail outlets on Black Friday 2025.
- Best Buy – Store opens at 6 am; closes at 10 pm
- Costco – Store opens at 9 am; closes at its regular closing time
- Dick’s Sporting Goods – Store opens at 6 am; closes at 10 pm (hours may vary by location)
- Home Depot – Store opens at 6 am; closes at its regular closing time
- JCPenney – Store opens at 5 am; closes at its regular closing time
- Kohl’s – Store opens at 5 am; closes at its regular closing time
- Lowe’s – Store opens at 6 am; closes at its regular closing time
- Macy’s – Store opens at 6 am; closes at 10 pm (hours vary by location)
- Sam’s Club – Store opens at its regular opening time; closes at its regular closing time
- Target – Store opens at 6 am; closes at its regular closing time
- Walmart – Store opens at 6 am.
What This Means for Savvy Shoppers
The extended nature of the holiday shopping season means that while the doorbuster deals on Black Friday itself are key, the entire period offers opportunities. For the best prices on big-ticket items, the focus should remain on the Black Friday to Cyber Monday window. With consumers being more deliberate with their spending, this year's event is set to be a strategic battleground for both retailers and shoppers aiming to maximize value.
