What Is Black Friday? A Detailed Shopping Guide

What Is Black Friday?

Black Friday is a well-known shopping event that takes place the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Known for its big discounts, it is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The term "Black Friday" first spread in the 1960s, when it described the heavy foot and car traffic on the day after Thanksgiving. Over time, it took on a second meaning: the point in the year when retailers' books move from "in the red" (losses) to "in the black" (profits).

Today, Black Friday sales also run in many other countries, with discounts on everything from electronics and appliances to fashion, home goods and toys. Shoppers plan their holiday purchases well in advance and hunt for the best deals. Black Friday has also grown beyond a single day and often runs through the weekend to Cyber Monday, which focuses on online shopping.

Retailers use Black Friday to draw in customers and boost sales, while shoppers use the discounts to buy big-ticket items or get an early start on holiday gifts.

When Is Black Friday?

Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is always the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. The date changes every year and always lands between November 23 and November 29. In 2026, Black Friday is on November 27; in 2027, it is on November 26.

Many shoppers start preparing weeks ahead, comparing deals and making wish lists. Retailers often begin teasing their Black Friday promotions in early November.

The main focus is still the Friday itself, but many stores now run "pre-Black Friday" deals weeks before the official date.

When Does Black Friday Start?

The official date is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, but sales start much earlier than they used to. Many retailers launch their Black Friday promotions in the first week of November, which has turned the event into a month-long sale sometimes called "Black November." Early deals spread the shopping traffic over several weeks.

Online deals often go live on Thanksgiving Day or at midnight. Many large retailers now keep their stores closed on Thanksgiving and open early on Friday morning, so dedicated shoppers still line up before dawn.

Online shopping has driven much of this early start, as e-commerce sites compete for early buyers. Many retailers also offer sneak peeks or member-only deals days or weeks before Black Friday, so shoppers can find discounts without the crowds.

When Does Black Friday End?

Black Friday used to be a one-day event. Now the deals usually run through the weekend to Cyber Monday, a day of online deals, often on electronics, tech gadgets and digital goods.

Some retailers keep their sales going for a whole "Cyber Week," and many offer discounts throughout the holiday season. Some of the biggest discounts still come on Black Friday itself, but good deals often last until the end of November or into early December.

To avoid missing out, check the end dates of the promotions you care about, especially doorbusters and limited-time offers that sell out quickly. Retailer newsletters and apps announce when sales end.

Sustainable Black Friday Deals

More and more shoppers look for sustainable and eco-friendly options during Black Friday. As awareness of the environmental cost of consumption grows, many people seek out sustainable Black Friday deals that match their values and choose durable, ethically made products.

Many companies now offer discounts on sustainable goods, such as energy-efficient appliances, reusable items and organic products. Some retailers highlight products that are built to last, made from recycled materials or produced with a smaller environmental impact, and some have moved to more sustainable packaging and shipping.

One trend is Green Friday, an alternative to traditional Black Friday that encourages people to shop mindfully, buy fewer but better items and support brands that put sustainability first. Here are a few tips for finding sustainable deals on Black Friday:

1. Look for Eco-Friendly Brands: choose brands that are open about their materials, manufacturing processes and ethical standards.
2. Shop Secondhand: consider refurbished electronics or secondhand items, which are often discounted further during Black Friday.
3. Invest in Quality: choose products that are built to last, so you replace them less often and waste less over time.
4. Support Local and Small Businesses: many local retailers offer distinctive, sustainable products during Black Friday, often with their own promotions.
5. Check for Certifications: labels such as Fair Trade, USDA Organic or B Corp show that a product or company has been certified against environmental or social standards.

A New Approach to Black Friday

Black Friday remains one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year. As the event has changed, so have shoppers, with more attention to sustainability, conscious shopping and long-term value. Deep discounts are still the draw, but many shoppers now choose quality over quantity and buy in line with their values.

This is a positive shift toward more responsible consumption. As more retailers adopt eco-friendly practices and promote sustainable products, shoppers can enjoy a good deal and make choices that are better for the planet.

Composting at Home: The OCTOEN ECO-05 KSN

If a kitchen composter is on your list this year, OCTOEN's ECO-05 KSN is a countertop unit for household food scraps, sold on Amazon USA.

What the ECO-05 KSN Offers

• Countertop size: 290 × 320 × 390 mm (11.4 × 12.6 × 15.4 in) and 8 kg (17.6 lb), with a 3 L bin.
• Odor control: an activated carbon filter, the only consumable; a spare refillable filter is included.
• US power: the US unit runs on 110 V and is rated at 530 W.
• Kitchen scraps: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and other food scraps can go in, small bones included.

How the ECO-05 KSN Works

1. Load food scraps: add kitchen scraps to the 3 L bin.
2. Processing: the unit combines drying, grinding, cooling and UV-C.
3. Result: 90% of the waste is broken down; the remaining 10% is a soil amendment for pots and garden beds.

You may be interested in: How to Compost at Home? Zero Waste Kitchen

What to Check Before You Buy a Kitchen Composter on Black Friday

Black Friday can be a good time to buy a kitchen composter, as long as the deal is a real one. Before you buy any model:

• Compare prices: look at the price over the past weeks so you know the discount is real.
• Check the bin size: match it to the food scraps your household produces each day.
• Check running costs: find out which parts, such as filters, need replacing and what they cost.
• Read the warranty: check the warranty terms on the listing before you order.

For the current price of the ECO-05 KSN, see its listing on Amazon USA. OCTOEN's commercial composters for restaurants, hotels and other businesses are quoted per project.

How to Get the Most from a Kitchen Composter

• Keep non-food items out: plastic, metal, glass and packaging do not belong in the bin.
• Look after the filter: replace or refill the activated carbon filter when odor control drops.
• Use the output well: mix it into garden beds or potting soil as a soil amendment.

Environmental Impact of Composting at Home

• Less landfill waste: composting food scraps instead of throwing them away reduces the waste that goes to landfills. Food scraps that break down in landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Less synthetic fertilizer: compost improves soil structure and can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, which take a lot of energy to make.

A Smart Purchase for a Greener Home

A kitchen composter is a practical way to cut household food waste. If you are considering one this Black Friday, compare the options carefully and choose the size that fits your kitchen.

Questions about the ECO-05 KSN or our commercial composters? Contact us.