Black Friday is one of the most exciting shopping events of the year—a day filled with unbeatable deals and big savings! It’s the perfect time to shop from US stores, where you’ll find a wider selection of items, unique finds you can’t get locally, and better prices. To help you make the most out of your shopping spree, here are the 10 best Black Friday shopping tips you should follow:
Write down everything you’re looking forward to buying, whether it’s a need or a want. Planning ahead with a shopping list keeps you focused and helps you dodge those tempting impulse buys. It also ensures you don’t forget any of your must-have items.
Additionally, note down which retailers carry the items you’re after so that when you begin your Black Friday shopping, you already know where to go.
With eye-catching deals and “limited-time offers”, it’s easy to lose control and end up spending a lot of money. If you’re not careful, you may get tempted to buy something unnecessary and ultimately drain your wallet. To avoid overspending, you can use notes on your phone or budgeting apps.
You can also break your budget into categories to manage your expenses, like this:
| Electronics | 200 CAD |
| Home Essentials or Gifts | 150 CAD |
| Clothing | 150 CAD |
This way, you can focus on what matters most and see precisely where your money’s going.
Many people still do their Black Friday shopping in person, but it can be chaotic and exhausting, with crowded malls and long lines everywhere. If you’re planning to travel to the US, expect busy ports and heavy foot traffic.
For a smoother, more convenient experience, it’s best to shop online instead. You’ll enjoy the same great deals without the stress of travelling or battling the crowds in physical stores.
You can also shop at your own pace. There’s no need to wait for a store to open because you can easily explore and shop on their website. Plus, you can get your items shipped directly to your home, saving you time and effort.
Black Friday has plenty of deals, but let’s be honest—not all of them are as good as they seem. Some stores may increase prices before the holiday to make their discounts seem bigger.
As mentioned earlier, write down the retailers that sell the items you’re looking for. In doing so, you should also take note of the costs.
To spot a real deal, you need to know the item’s regular price. This can help you tell when a discount is genuinely worth your money.
One thing you should avoid during your Black Friday shopping is rushing into a purchase. While seeing a great deal can be exciting, take a moment to compare prices from other retailers first. Two stores may offer the same product, but one could sell it for less.
Or, several stores may sell the item at the same price, but one may offer perks such as free shipping or bonus rewards. You can use price comparison tools like Google Shopping or Bizrate to compare and see if the current sale is truly worth it.
Remember, the goal is to get the best value, so make sure to check around first before making a purchase.
Black Friday falls on November 28 this year, but many US retailers start dropping deals before the big day. By shopping early, you can score great deals and avoid the frenzy. Sometimes, early deals are even better than those on the main day. Plus, you’ll have the chance to grab popular items before they sell out.
Here are some US retailers that offer pre-Black Friday deals:
Target began their early Black Friday sale from November 6 to 8, with up to 50% off for kitchen and dining items, select toys, and art and writing sets. Their official sale kicks off online on November 27, while in-store discounts begin on November 28.
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Walmart’s early Black Friday sale runs from November 14 to 16, featuring specials on electronics, clothing, and toys. Their deals are available online and in stores, but shopping online offers even more advantages. Walmart’s second deal event is on November 25 to 30, with online-only discounts available from November 25 to 27.
Additionally, Walmart+ members can enjoy five hours of early access online before each deal event begins. For instance, for the sale starting on November 25, members get access beginning November 24 at 7 p.m. ET.
While Best Buy’s early Black Friday sale began on October 31, it runs through November 19, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the discounts. They usually offer the best selection of tech deals during the holiday season, where you can find laptops, Apple products, and smart TVs at marked-down prices.
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Macy’s Black Friday early access ran from November 10 to 13, which included discounts on clothing, jewelry sets, and bedding. More deals are on the way, as their “Black Friday Starts Now” event runs from November 14 to 22, and “Black Friday Week” from November 23 to 30, where you can expect offers on kitchen essentials, luggage, and more.
Head over to their Black Friday deals and sales page to see all their marked-down products. Most of them are limited-time specials, so hurry and shop before the deals expire or items sell out.
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Kohl’s already released their early Black Friday deals last November 7 to 9, which included discounts on various products such as clothing, small appliances, and luggage.
Don’t worry if you haven’t shopped yet—more deals will drop from November 23 to November 29, with sales on the hottest categories, such as home essentials and electronics. Remember, these limited-time offers won’t last, so mark your calendars.
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Missing out can be frustrating. To stay updated about your favourite stores’ Black Friday deals, make sure to subscribe to email alerts and follow them on social media. This way, you’ll be among the first to know about flash sales or limited-time offers.
Many brands also share exclusive online discounts or early-access codes with their followers and subscribers, giving you a head start before the crowds rush in. Staying connected ensures you never miss a chance to score big savings.
Many US stores offer exclusive discounts and benefits to their loyalty program members. They either offer early access to the Black Friday sale or provide additional savings during the shopping season.
Many of these programs also offer a rewards system that lets you earn points and redeem them for future purchases, making it a great way to maximize your savings.
Here are some memberships and loyalty programs from popular US stores that you can check out:
AnthroPerks is Anthropologie’s loyalty program, where members get access to sales and exclusive deals. Apart from that, you can also enjoy free shipping on orders over 50 USD, which allows you to save more during your Black Friday shopping.
Signing up for Hot Topic Rewards allows you to get exclusive deals and early access. Plus, you can earn points on your Black Friday orders and redeem them on future purchases. For every 100 points, you get a 5 USD reward, which lets you save more.
Earn points on your Black Friday haul by joining Ulta Beauty’s loyalty program. Members earn points on every purchase, which you can redeem for future products. Apart from that, signing up for Ulta Beauty Rewards also allows you to enjoy other perks like birthday gifts.
Amazon offers plenty of deals, where both members and non-members can enjoy discounts. While you don’t need a membership to shop during Black Friday, Prime members have advantages like faster delivery and exclusive offers.
Anyone can shop during Black Friday at Nordstrom Rack, but if you want more benefits, join The Nordy Club. Members can enjoy free shipping, exclusive discounts, and even perks like birthday discounts.
Before making a purchase, do your research to ensure both the store and the product are trustworthy. Start by checking retailers’ reviews—look for feedback on their service, shipping times, and customer support. You should stick to well-known review platforms, like Trustpilot and Google Reviews, and watch out for those that seem fake, generic, or overly positive without details.
Then, check product reviews to assess quality and performance. Focus on items with many reviews and an overall rating of at least four stars, as those with high ratings show that most buyers found their purchase satisfying. Pay attention to the detailed ones, as they help you understand whether the product truly meets your needs.
For instance, a review that mentions both pros and cons gives real insight into how the item performs and what to watch out for, compared to one that just says, “Great product.”
Following these tips helps you make informed decisions and avoid wasting money on low-quality products or stores with poor service.
Many scammers take advantage of the Black Friday shopping season by creating fake sites or ads. These consist of misleading or too good to be true deals. Always be cautious when shopping online and avoid clicking suspicious links.
Make sure to check the URL carefully—look for misspellings, extra words, or unusual domain names. Remember to shop directly through trusted brand websites or well-known, reputable retailers.
Black Friday is an exciting time for online shoppers, as many stores offer deals that can help you save more on purchases. If you want to spend less on shipping fees as well, use package forwarding services like Shippsy.
Here’s what we offer:
*For more information on transit times for your location, check here.
READ MORE: US to Canada Shipping: The Ultimate Savings Guide (2025)
Black Friday is the best time to snag incredible deals, especially when shopping online from US stores. By planning ahead, setting a budget, and signing up for loyalty programs, you can shop smart and get the most value out of your money.
Additionally, to save more and enjoy a convenient cross-border shopping experience, consider using affordable package forwarding services like Shippsy.
Follow all these tips to enjoy a smooth, rewarding, and stress-free Black Friday shopping experience in 2025.
Jay Alagon serves as the business manager at Shippsy, where he aims to provide Canadians with access to all US retailers without worrying about high shipping costs, long delivery times, and complicated paperwork associated with cross-border shopping. Outside of work, he enjoys practicing martial arts and woodworking.
Read all posts written by Jayson Alagon
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