With stores remaining closed on Thanksgiving Day and the pandemic drastically changing the entire holiday shopping experience, Black Friday's usual in-store traditions hang in the balance.
Retailers have been tight-lipped about their exact Black Friday (Nov. 27) plans. But some have revealed (or hinted at) what's in store. Here's what we know so far:
Best Buy Black Friday 2020 plans
Best Buy will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but has said little about its Black Friday plans -- only that "the best deals of the season" will be available "earlier than ever."
Home Depot Black Friday 2020 plans
Home Depot has announced that it will run its Black Friday deals during November and December, both online and in stores. That takes the pressure off for a mad rush on Black Friday itself.
Kohl's Black Friday 2020 plans
Kohl's will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and has announced that deals will be available "earlier this year." It's also hiring seasonal workers for distribution and e-commerce fulfillment to prepare for more online shopping.
Macy's Black Friday 2020 plans
Macy's has been more transparent than other retailers about its Black Friday plans, going so far as to announce dates. According to the Black Friday page on its site, Black Friday specials will run Nov. 24 to 28 in stores, online and via the Macy's app. Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, however, so consumers will have to shop online that day.
Target Black Friday 2020 plans
Target will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but announced it will start rolling holiday deals out as early as October. Whether its official Black Friday deals will be available that early remains to be seen.
Target is also prepping for a surge in curbside order pickup, doubling the number of employees focused on its Drive Up service. It's also hiring more employees for its distribution centers, in anticipation of increased online shopping volume.
Walmart Black Friday 2020 plans
Walmart is a Black Friday giant and, as such, its Black Friday plans are some of the most anticipated every year. It will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. It has said little about Black Friday specifically, but stated in a Sept. 23 press release that it will "spread traditional Black Friday savings throughout the season and will have more deals available online." In that same press release, Walmart emphasized its focus on existing contact-free shopping options, including fast delivery, curbside pickup and the new Scan & Go feature available to Walmart+ subscribers. And that's the right move, because contactless shopping (curbside in particular) is going to be a huge priority for shoppers this holiday season.
