When was black friday 2025

Overview

Black Friday 2025 will take place on November 28, 2025, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. As a major retail event, it marks the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season and draws millions of consumers both in-store and online.

Retailers across the U.S. and increasingly worldwide offer deep discounts on electronics, apparel, toys, and home goods. The date is fixed by tradition as the day after Thanksgiving, which always lands on the fourth Thursday of November.

• November 28, 2025 is the confirmed date for Black Friday, directly following Thanksgiving Day on November 27.
• Thanksgiving 2025 is observed on November 27, establishing the annual schedule for the shopping weekend.
• Major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy typically open early, some as early as Thanksgiving evening at 6 PM.
• Online sales are expected to grow, with projections suggesting over $10 billion in U.S. e-commerce spending on Black Friday 2025.
• Extended deals now span from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, creating a 'Cyber Week' of promotions ending December 1, 2025.

How It Works

Black Friday operates as a retail strategy to boost sales through limited-time discounts and doorbuster deals. The event leverages consumer demand for holiday gifts and has evolved into a multi-day shopping phenomenon.

• Origin of the term: The phrase 'Black Friday' originally described financial chaos in 1869 but was redefined in the 1960s to signify retailers moving 'into the black' due to high sales volume.
• Thanksgiving timing: Since Thanksgiving is set on the fourth Thursday of November, Black Friday always falls between November 23 and 29.
• Doorbuster deals: Retailers offer extremely low prices on select items to draw crowds, often selling products at a loss to increase foot traffic.
• Online expansion: Amazon and other e-commerce platforms now offer parallel promotions, reducing reliance on physical store visits.
• Global influence: Countries like Canada, the UK, and Germany have adopted Black Friday, though local dates and regulations may alter timing and scale.
• Consumer behavior: Surveys show over 120 million Americans shopped during the 2024 Black Friday weekend, with 65% making purchases online.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how Black Friday 2025 compares to recent years and related shopping events:

The table highlights the growing dominance of online shopping and the increasing competition among retail events. While Black Friday remains a key driver, Cyber Monday has surpassed it in digital sales volume. Retailers now spread deals across weeks to avoid congestion and maximize revenue.

Why It Matters

Black Friday 2025 is more than a shopping day—it reflects broader economic trends, consumer habits, and retail innovation. Its impact extends beyond one weekend, influencing inventory planning, marketing strategies, and global e-commerce policies.

• Consumer spending during the 2025 holiday weekend could exceed $35 billion, shaping fourth-quarter GDP growth.
• Retail employment surges annually, with over 700,000 seasonal jobs created in 2024 to support holiday demand.
• Sustainability concerns grow as high-volume shopping increases packaging waste and return rates, now averaging 18% for online purchases.
• Global adoption of Black Friday by non-U.S. retailers shows the cultural export of American consumerism, especially in Europe and Asia.
• Technological integration includes AI-driven deals, personalized ads, and augmented reality try-ons to enhance digital shopping.
• Security risks rise during peak shopping, with cyberattacks on retail sites increasing by 45% during the 2024 holiday season.

As retail evolves, Black Friday 2025 will serve as a benchmark for how technology, consumer behavior, and economic conditions intersect in the modern marketplace.