Surprise hours at Walmart, Target or Costco for Black Friday

It’s the final week of November, which means two things: you should put to thaw that massive frozen turkey, and start stretching and warming up for those Black Friday sales! Yes, you could always stay at home, cozy and toasty on your sofa with a Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich, but where is the fun in that?

If you are old-school and prefer to shop for the best bargains at physical locations, we have you covered. Here are the opening hours for all major retailers in the US for Black Friday. Make sure to check with your local shops, but overall, here are the opening times:

Department Stores and General Retail

• Walmart: opens at 5:00 a.m.
• Target: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Sam’s Club: opens at 10:00 a.m.
• Costco: opens at 10:00 a.m.
• TJ Maxx: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Macy’s: opens at 6:00 a.m.

Technology and Electronics

• Best Buy: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Gamestop: opens at 5:00 a.m.
• Apple Stores: open at 8:00 a.m.

Home and Hardware

• Lowe’s: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Home Depot: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Menards: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Hobby Lobby: opens at 9:00 a.m.

Fashion and Beauty

• Victoria’s Secret: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Sephora: opens at 9:00 a.m.
• Ulta Beauty: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Bath & Body Works: opens at 6:00 a.m.

Sports and Outdoor Activities

• Bass Pro Shops: opens at 5:00 a.m.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods: opens at 6:00 a.m.
• Academy Sports + Outdoors: opens at 5:00 a.m.

Other Businesses

Excited for Black Friday? Before you head to your favourite stores on November 29, you can prepare to make sure you get more bang for your bucks. Here are a few practical tips to help you snag the best bargains:

1. Create a List: Jot down what you need and note the regular prices ahead of time. Think of it like a wishlist for Santa—except you’re footing the bill. This way, when Black Friday arrives, you can focus on the items you actually need and avoid getting caught up in impulse buys.
2. Compare Prices: Take the time to check prices at multiple stores before making a purchase. Even if deals look similar, some retailers may offer lower prices due to smaller profit margins, meaning better savings for you. Are Black Friday discounts really as good as they seem? To find out, use price-tracking websites like Alertr, PriceSpy, or CamelCamelCamel. These tools allow you to paste the URL of a product and see its price history, where it’s being sold, and current prices. They also highlight deals by monitoring prices throughout the year. On Black Friday itself, compare the deals at one retailer to prices at others to make sure you’re truly getting the best offer.
3. Stick to Your Budget: Before diving into the sales, figure out how much you can afford to spend. That way, you’ll know if that shiny new TV is really within reach. Remember, a deal isn’t a deal if it leaves you paying off credit card interest for months afterward!
4. Act Quickly: Found an unbeatable deal? Don’t hesitate—snap it up before it’s gone! High-demand items, especially big-ticket ones, tend to sell out fast. While you might not have to fight through crowds at Walmart on November 29, you’ll still need to be quick, even when shopping online.
5. Ask yourself “Am I really saving money?”: A common mistake shoppers make on Black Friday is assuming that every discount is a good one. Just because an item appears to be deeply discounted doesn’t guarantee it’s the lowest price available. Retailers sometimes inflate prices beforehand to make the “discount” seem more impressive. Black Friday is also a time when many stores aim to offload older or less popular inventory. A big discount doesn’t always mean you’re getting a good deal, especially if the item is outdated or of lower quality.

By planning in advance and shopping wisely, you can make the most of the holiday sales and enjoy the season without breaking the bank.