Black Friday 2024: the Biggest Shopping Event of the Year-As of April 9, 2025, the dust has settled on Black Friday 2024, but the buzz around this global shopping phenomenon is far from over. Held on November 29, 2024—the Friday after Thanksgiving—this year’s Black Friday delivered a whirlwind of discounts, deals, and shopping frenzies that captivated millions worldwide. From record-breaking online sales to in-store stampedes, Black Friday 2024 lived up to its reputation as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. But what made this year’s event stand out? How did shoppers navigate the chaos, and what trends shaped the experience? This article dives deep into Black Friday 2024, answering the questions trending on YouTube and Google while offering a comprehensive look at the deals, strategies, and surprises that defined the day.
Boasting over $9.8 billion in online sales in 2023, Black Friday has evolved from a single-day retail rush to a multi-week extravaganza spanning Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. In 2024, forecasts predicted sales could top $222.1 billion globally, fueled by early deals, e-commerce dominance, and a late November date that compressed the holiday shopping window. Whether you scored a 4K TV for pennies or missed out on that coveted PS5 bundle, this guide unpacks everything you need to know about Black Friday 2024—past, present, and what it means for the future.
What Was Black Friday 2024 All About?
Black Friday 2024, falling on November 29, marked the traditional start of the holiday shopping season in the US, following Thanksgiving on November 28. Originating in the 1960s in Philadelphia—where police dubbed the post-Thanksgiving chaos “Black Friday” due to traffic and crowds—the term later shifted to reflect retailers’ profits moving “into the black.” By 2024, it had morphed into a global event, with countries like the UK, India, and Canada joining the fray, each tailoring deals to local tastes.
This year’s Black Friday was unique. Its late date—the latest possible in November—aligned with many consumers’ last payday before Christmas, creating a high-stakes, condensed shopping sprint. Retailers responded with extended sales, some starting as early as October, while others held firm to the traditional Thanksgiving-to-Cyber Monday timeline (Cyber Monday hit December 2). Online platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Flipkart dominated, but brick-and-mortar stores still drew crowds, with Mall of America reporting 13,000 shoppers in its first hour alone.
Why Black Friday 2024 Mattered
In a world of cooling inflation (around 2–3% in the UK and US), Black Friday 2024 was a lifeline for budget-conscious shoppers. The National Retail Federation pegged holiday spending at up to $989 billion—a 3.5% jump from 2023—driven by discounts averaging 25–30% industry-wide. Adobe Analytics clocked a 9.6% spike in online purchases through November, with Black Friday itself raking in billions as shoppers hunted big-ticket items like TVs, gaming consoles, and appliances.
For retailers, it was make-or-break. With a shorter post-BFCM (Black Friday-Cyber Monday) window to Christmas, businesses leaned hard into early promotions and AI-driven marketing to boost conversions. Consumers, meanwhile, saw it as a chance to stretch their dollars—44% planned to buy themselves something, per Deloitte, up $44 from last year. Whether it was a Lego set for the kids or a self-gifted iPad, Black Friday 2024 was about value, variety, and a little indulgence.
When Did Black Friday 2024 Deals Start?
Gone are the days of Black Friday being a single-day affair. In 2024, the “Black Friday creep” was in full swing, with retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart launching pre-sales in early October. By November, the floodgates opened:
Home Depot: Deals from November 7 to 28 on décor, tools, and appliances.
Walmart: Event #1 kicked off November 11, with more waves through the month.
Amazon: Official sales began November 21, peaking on the 29th.
Best Buy: Deals dropped November 21, with doorbusters every Friday.
YouTube searches like “When do Black Friday deals start 2024?” spiked as shoppers tracked these timelines. The late November date fueled early action—retailers couldn’t risk losing sales in a tight season. Cyber Monday (December 2) extended the madness, with electronics and clothing discounts hitting 30%, per Adobe forecasts.
Top Black Friday 2024 Deals: What Shoppers Snagged
The deals were the heart of Black Friday 2024, and they didn’t disappoint. Here’s a rundown of the hottest categories and steals, based on reports from Forbes, TechRadar, and BlackFriday.com:
Electronics and Tech
Apple MacBook Air (M3, 16GB RAM): Dropped to $599 at Walmart—a steal for a discontinued but powerful laptop.
Samsung 55” Frame TV: Hit $849.99 at Best Buy, with Pantone-validated colors and a 2024 refresh.
LG B4 48” OLED TV: $599.99 at Best Buy, a budget-friendly OLED with 120Hz gaming chops.
Gaming
Xbox Series X: $349 at multiple retailers, echoing 2023’s deep cuts.
PS5 Pro Bundles: New bundles debuted with discounts up to $100, per IGN.
Nintendo Switch OLED: Bundles with free games held steady at $349.
Home and Kitchen
KitchenAid Stand Mixers: Up to 50% off at Target and Walmart—perfect for holiday baking.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop Plus: $99 at Amazon, its lowest price ever.
Dyson Vacuums: $200+ off models like the V15 at QVC and Best Buy.
Fashion and Beauty
Boohoo: 50% off sitewide with codes like “SHOPNOW50.”
Sephora: Discounts on Kiehl’s, Fenty Beauty, and more, up to 50% off.
Nordstrom: 70% off clothing and accessories in their Limited-Time Sale.
Toys and Gifts
LEGO Sets: Up to 50% off at Target, with Star Wars and Harry Potter kits leading the pack.
Hot Wheels: Bundles dropped to $10–$15 at Amazon and Walmart.
Gift Cards: A 31% rise in purchases, per Block, as a stress-free gifting option.
These deals answered YouTube queries like “What are the best Black Friday 2024 deals?” and Google searches for specific products, with tech and toys dominating wish lists.
How Did Shoppers Find Black Friday 2024 Deals?
Finding the best deals was a quest in itself. Shoppers turned to:
Voucher Sites: BlackFriday.com, VoucherCodes.co.uk, and HotUKDeals listed codes like “EXTRA20” for Amazon or “BFCMXBOX” for Lenovo.
Retailer Apps: Amazon, Walmart, and Target pushed app-exclusive deals—e.g., 15% off app orders at Boohoo.
Social Media: X posts flagged flash sales, like Bash.com’s 70% off fashion in South Africa.
Newsletters: Signing up early scored 10% off codes from brands like Dame and Foria.
Google Trends showed “How to find Black Friday deals 2024” peaking mid-November, with 88% of shoppers comparing discounts beforehand (per BloggersPassion). AI chatbots also flexed their muscles—19% used them to hunt deals, boosting conversions by 9% for retailers employing generative AI, per Salesforce.
Black Friday 2024 Trends: What Shaped the Season?
Several trends defined Black Friday 2024, reflecting shifts in consumer habits and retail strategies:
Online Shopping Dominance
Over 90.6 million shopped online in 2023, and 2024 pushed that further. Adobe reported a 79.3% mobile shopping share via buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) plans, which soared 8.8% to $686.3 million. E-commerce peaked at 2 PM EST globally, per Block.
Early and Extended Sales
The “sales extravaganza” stretched weeks, diluting the single-day frenzy. Retailers like Macy’s and JCPenney started pre-BFCM deals, while Cyber Monday bled into “Cyber Week,” per Retail Dive.
AI and Tech Influence
AI drove $14 billion in online sales, with bot-driven clicks up 1,800% year-over-year (Adobe). Retailers using AI saw higher conversions, answering YouTube queries like “How is AI changing Black Friday?”
Experience Gifting
Over 50% of shoppers bought gift cards or tickets for travel, dining, or events, per Circana. This trend catered to those cutting back on physical gifts, like Betsy Brushway, who prioritized travel over toys at Mall of America.
Sustainability Push
Eco-friendly deals—like Boohoo’s Sustainability Edit—gained traction, reflecting growing green consciousness amid fast-fashion critiques.
Where Did Black Friday 2024 Shine?
Black Friday 2024 wasn’t just a US party—it went global:
United States
Spending: $9.8 billion online in 2023 grew to new heights, with Mastercard noting a 3.4% retail sales bump.
Hotspots: Amazon, Walmart, and Target led, with Best Buy excelling in tech.
United Kingdom
Growth: Barclaycard reported a 9.5% transaction rise, with Checkout.com noting a 9 AM–10 AM peak.
Deals: ASOS (20% off) and Currys (TV discounts) stood out.
India
E-commerce: Amazon’s first official Black Friday (November 29–December 2) offered 40% off, with Flipkart and Reliance Digital joining in.
Highlights: iPhone 16 for ₹72,900 at Vijay Sales; 65” Sansui QLED TVs at 40% off via Lotus Electronics.
South Africa
Bash.com: Up to 70% off fashion, tech, and homeware, with Click-and-Collect at 800+ locations.
Google searches like “Black Friday 2024 India deals” and YouTube hauls showcased this global reach, with local retailers tailoring offers to compete.
Winners and Losers of Black Friday 2024
Retail Dive dubbed it a mixed bag:
Winners
E-commerce Giants: Amazon, Walmart, and Flipkart crushed it with early deals and BNPL options.
Tech Retailers: Best Buy and Samsung saw TVs and gadgets fly off shelves.
Small Businesses: 73% of shoppers planned to buy local, per Tatiana Walk-Morris.
Losers
Traditional In-Store: The digital shift softened foot traffic—Black Friday “lost its punch” for some physical stores.
Late Starters: Retailers sticking to November 29 missed early spenders.
Overstocked Brands: Excess inventory led to deeper cuts, squeezing margins.
What Did Shoppers Ask About Black Friday 2024?
YouTube and Google lit up with questions—here’s what people wanted to know:
“Was Black Friday 2024 Worth It?”
Yes, for deal-hunters. TechRadar’s 101 best deals and Forbes’ vetted picks—like $599 MacBook Airs—proved the value. But impulse buys stung if shoppers skipped research.
“What Were the Biggest Discounts?”
Electronics led with 30%+ off (Adobe), followed by toys (50% off Lego) and clothing (70% off at Nordstrom). Kitchen appliances like Nespresso hit all-time lows.
“Did Stock Issues Happen?”
Yes, especially for PS5 Pro and OLED TVs. Early deals mitigated chaos, but popular items still sold out fast, per Tom’s Guide.
“How Did Cyber Monday Compare?”
December 2 focused on electronics and clothes, with discounts rivaling Black Friday. Hulu’s $0.99/month deal and Samsung’s $1,479 Odyssey Neo G9 monitor were Cyber standouts (IGN).
Tips for Nailing Black Friday 2024 (and Beyond)
Missed out? Here’s how to ace it next time:
Start Early: Scope deals in October—create wishlists on Amazon or Target.
Use Apps: Retailer apps flagged exclusives; Bash’s app in South Africa was a game-changer.
Compare Prices: 88% did this in 2023—Google (36%) and voucher sites were top tools.
Join Memberships: Amazon Prime, Walmart+, and Target Circle 360 unlocked early access.
Leverage BNPL: Klarna and Afterpay spiked 42.5% in 2023—expect more in 2025.
The Numbers: Black Friday 2024 by the Stats
Shoppers: 200.4 million hit stores and sites over the BFCM weekend (2023 baseline, likely higher in 2024).
Online Sales: $9.8 billion in 2023; 2024 forecasts topped $10 billion (Adobe).
In-Store: 76.2 million shopped physically in 2023—2024 held steady despite e-commerce growth.
Conversion Rates: Desktops (5.6%) outpaced mobiles (3.3%) in 2022—2024 likely followed suit.
Payment Trends: 49.4% used credit cards; Apple Pay rose 13% (BloggersPassion).
The Cultural Impact of Black Friday 2024
Black Friday 2024 wasn’t just about deals—it was a vibe. YouTube hauls titled “Black Friday 2024 Scores!” and X posts like “Snagged a Frame TV for $849—dream come true!” captured the thrill. It was a break from economic woes, as Circana’s Marshal Cohen noted: “Consumers see the holidays as a respite, buying more to spread joy.” Yet, critiques lingered—fast fashion’s environmental toll and AI’s role sparked debates online.
Looking Ahead: Black Friday 2025 and Beyond
What’s next? Expect:
Earlier Starts: October sales could become the norm.
AI Evolution: Personalized codes and smarter bots may dominate.
Green Deals: Sustainability could shape discounts as eco-awareness grows.
Hybrid Shopping: In-store and online will blur further with Click-and-Collect.
Black Friday 2025 falls on November 28—mark your calendars.
Black Friday 2024’s Lasting Echoes
Black Friday 2024 was a blockbuster—a fusion of tradition and tech, savings and splurges. From $599 OLED TVs to 70% off fashion hauls, it delivered for those who played it smart. The late date, e-commerce surge, and AI boost made it a standout year, answering YouTube pleas like “What’s Black Friday 2024 like?” with a resounding “Epic.” Whether you shopped online at 2 PM EST or braved the Mall of America at dawn, Black Friday 2024 proved why it’s still the king of shopping holidays. Next year? Get ready—it’s only getting bigger.
Faqs
Black Friday, traditionally held the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, has become a global shopping phenomenon, with retailers worldwide offering significant discounts. In 2024, Black Friday falls on November 29. To help you navigate the 2024 Black Friday sales effectively, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
When is Black Friday 2024?
Black Friday 2024 is on Friday, November 29. Many retailers begin their promotions earlier in the week, with some offering pre-Black Friday deals starting in mid-November.Wealth Yoda – Building Financial Freedom
How can I prepare for Black Friday 2024?
To maximize your Black Friday experience:
Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend to avoid overspending. Moneyhub
Research Products: Identify the items you want and monitor their prices leading up to Black Friday to recognize genuine discounts. Spotlight Wire
Create a Wishlist: Use retailer wishlists or save items in your online shopping carts to quickly check for discounts when sales begin. Moneyhub
Sign Up for Newsletters: Subscribe to newsletters from your favorite retailers for early access to deals and exclusive promotions.
Set Up Accounts: Ensure your payment and shipping information is saved in retailer accounts for faster checkout.Moneyhub
Are Black Friday deals the best prices of the year?
Not always. Some retailers may inflate original prices to make discounts appear more substantial. It’s essential to research and compare prices across different retailers to ensure you’re getting a genuine deal. Toxigon+3NottinghamWorld+3NottinghamWorld+3Spotlight Wire
How can I avoid Black Friday scams?
To protect yourself from fraudulent activities:
Shop from Reputable Retailers: Stick to well-known stores and verify the authenticity of unfamiliar websites. WIRED
Be Cautious with Offers: Beware of deals that seem too good to be true, as they may be bait for scams.
Use Secure Payment Methods: Opt for credit cards or secure payment platforms that offer fraud protection.
Verify Website Security: Ensure the website uses HTTPS and displays security badges before entering personal information.
Should I shop online or in-store on Black Friday?
Both options have their advantages. Online shopping offers convenience and often access to exclusive deals, while in-store shopping can provide immediate product availability and potential doorbuster deals. Consider your priorities and plan accordingly.NottinghamWorld+5Moneyhub+5www.ndtv.com+5
What are some common mistakes to avoid on Black Friday?
To enhance your shopping experience:
Avoid Impulse Buying: Stick to your shopping list to prevent unnecessary purchases. www.ndtv.com+1NottinghamWorld+1
Neglecting Price Comparisons: Always compare prices across different retailers to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Ignoring Return Policies: Review return and exchange policies before purchasing, especially for discounted items.Toxigon
Overlooking Budgeting: Set and adhere to a budget to avoid overspending during the sales.www.ndtv.com
Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday deals?
Cyber Monday, the Monday following Black Friday, often features additional discounts, particularly on electronics and online-exclusive items. It’s worth comparing deals across both days to identify the best offers.
How can I stay updated on Black Friday deals?
To stay informed:
Follow Retailers on Social Media: Brands often announce flash sales and exclusive deals on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Use Deal Aggregator Websites: Websites and apps compile and update Black Friday deals from various retailers, helping you compare offers easily.
What time do Black Friday deals start?
Deal start times vary by retailer. Some begin at midnight, while others may start earlier in the evening on Thanksgiving Day. Check individual retailer websites for specific sale times.
Can I get Black Friday deals without leaving my home?
Absolutely. Many retailers offer online-exclusive deals, allowing you to shop from the comfort of your home. Be sure to check online promotions and consider options like curbside pickup if available.
By staying informed and planning ahead, you can make the most of the Black Friday 2024 shopping experience, securing great deals while avoiding common pitfalls.
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