Black Friday has already arrived with many retailers dropping deals for shoppers. Retailers are offering up deals much earlier than in years past when shoppers would flock to stores to score big deals the day after Thanksgiving.
However, in recent years retailers have launched major discounts days and even weeks ahead of Black Friday.
Shoppers can get a head start on holiday shopping at a number of retailers that are extending their sales throughout the month through Thanksgiving weekend.
Some of the major brands that have announced big sales thus far include Target, Walmart, BJ's Wholesale Club, and Best Buy.
While Newsweek has reached out to these retailers that have off deals weeks earlier than the actual date Black Friday begins, online shopping has exploded in recent years.
The exact reason why retailers have off deals weeks earlier than the actual date Black Friday begins is unclear, but Walmart told Newsweek that customers have embraced it.
"For the record, customers have loved our reinvented Black Friday experience since we introduced it a few years ago," a spokesperson with the big box retailer said.
"In fact, 76% of Walmart customers told us they prefer special deals to be spread out over the holiday shopping season as opposed to one moment."
It's also worth noting that e-commerce has increased in popularity.
Shoppers prefer online, early orders
A recent study conducted by market research firm Statista found that roughly 43 percent of Americans prefer to shop online versus in-store.
That's the highest mark of any other country, according to the data.
In addition, some consumers prefer to avoid large crowds, which could explain why some stores have decided to divide Black Friday deals over the weeks and days leading up instead of just offering them all on one day only.
One X user @Nicole_P2P asked: "Do you prefer to shop online or in-person?"
Nicole added that she prefers "online because of my irrational fear of getting trampled or lost in a crowd (and I hate early mornings!)."
And overall, shoppers appear to be embracing the modern-day Black Friday sales event.
It allows consumers to shop whenever they want without leaving their homes through Thanksgiving weekend.
If you find a deal you like, grab it
Some shoppers say that if you spot a deal you like, you should jump on it because it may not get better.
One Reddit user @TheDuckFarm commented on a post that asked consumers whether it's better to shop early or wait until the actual Black Friday date.
The Redditor said: "20 years ago the deals were real, now there are some deals yes but mostly it's fake, not worth it, and the good stuff is already sold out."
"For the few and far between deals still out there, go for it, but it's not worth waiting nearly a year for them if it's something you need today."
Also, others noted that it might make sense to wait depending on if you want a specific category of items.
"I think it really depends on what you're buying. For example there's a body wash I like that's $22 a bottle and I only buy during Black Friday every year, when it's 50% off," Redditor @gilded_butterflies said.
"Also certain clothing, jewelry and makeup stores will have 15-30% off their entire inventory for the week of Black Friday."
For example, Target is offering up to $100 off select Apple iPads and a $100 discount on Beats Solo3 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones through Saturday, November 4.
But as always before buying, make sure to compare prices with other retailers to see if a better deal can be had elsewhere.
Newsweek has reached out to Target, BJ's, and Best Buy for comment.
Update 11/01/23 3:32 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Walmart.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
