Stores opening hours on Black Friday: Walmart, Target, Gamestop, Best Buy and more

Over the past decade, Black Friday has changed in dramatic ways.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, after Thanksgiving dinner, thousands of people would head to major retailers at the crack of dawn to obtain major discounts on televisions, phones, clothes, and more. Stories of stampedes and fights over limited items were extremely common.

However, as more consumers have moved online, many businesses have extended their deals to their e-marketplace. Additionally, this year, many retailers have been offering customers discounts for weeks to account for supply chain issues. By extending the amount of time, stores can increase the supply they can provide to customers. If they were limited to just one day, they would be limiting their sales, because of the logistical challenges limiting supply for all sorts of goods globally.

In addition, to figuring out when major retailers will be opening their doors, we also took a look at two major questions on the minds of many consumers. First, we took a look at if the same deals are available online and in-person, and if the stores will be open on Thanksgiving.

More Black Friday News

Best Buy

Best Buy has been hit hard by the pandemic. The technology retailer has closed forty locations and laid off 5,000 workers, in the last two years, as many consumers have opted to purchase technological products online, rather than visiting a brick and mortar store.

Will Best Buy offer the same deals in-person and online for Black Friday?

Best Buy has been offering Black Friday pricing on goods since 18 October. All items on sale are tagged online with “Black Friday Price Guarantee" to make it clear to customers. 

When will Best Buy open on Black Friday?

Most Best Buy locations will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.

Will Best Buy be open on Thanksgiving?

No, Best Buy has said that "Best Buy retail stores will not be open on Thanksgiving Day." However, those who prefer online shopping can still take advantage of the Black Friday deals on their website.

GameStop

Earlier this year, GameStop made major financial news after individuals online worked together to alter the company's stock price, causing hedge fund managers and economists to panic.

Will GameStop offer the same deals in-person and online for Black Friday?

GameStop will offer customers deals online and physical retailers.

When will GameStop open on Black Friday?

Gamestop will open its doors at 7 a.m. to customers on Black Friday.

Will GameStop be open on Thanksgiving?

Not all locations will be open on Thanksgiving. Your best bet is to give your local store a call to see what hours they will be operating if any.

Target

In response to the pandemic, the company began to rethink Black Friday. In a press release, the company outlined how they "reinvented approach to the holiday selling season, spreading out savings over the course of several weeks versus a condensed timeframe, and introducing its enhanced Holiday Price Match Guarantee, signaling to guests that they are getting the best deals no matter when they shop."

Will Target offer the same deals in-person and online for Black Friday?

Black Friday deals at Target became available on 21 November and will end on 27 November.  Customers will see the same prices online and in-store.

When will Target open on Black Friday?

Target will open its doors to shoppers at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.

Will Target be open on Thanksgiving?

Last year, the store remained closed on Thanksgiving and minimized the need for customers to visit physical locations to reduce the chance of Black Friday becoming a superspreader event. The choice was also seen very favorably by Target employees and this year, CEO Brian Cornell announced that from now on, the store will always be closed on Thanksgiving. While some employees will still need to work to prepare for Black Friday, far less are needed, compared to when the Black Friday deals began on Thanksgiving. This reduced workforce will be compensated with holiday pay, and their co-workers, like many of the executives, have always been able to do will be able to spend more time with their friends and family.

Walmart

Will Walmart offer the same deals in-person and online for Black Friday?

In October, Walmart announced for Black Friday "all the deals are available online to help ensure safe shopping in stores, Walmart follows CDC guidance and local mandates."

Walmart began its Black Friday deals for its Walmart+ members in early November. The deals will be available through the end of the month.

When will Walmart open on Black Friday?

Like Best Buy, Walmart will open its doors at 5 a.m. on Friday.

Will Walmart be open on Thanksgiving?

 Like Target, Walmart will remain closed on Thanksgiving. The company made the announcement in June, saying that the choice was made as a "‘thank you’ to associates for their continued hard work during the pandemic."