What you need to know about Black Friday this year

Black Friday is swiftly approaching.

The holiday season in the United States spans from the day after Thanksgiving through December. That kick-off day is known as Black Friday, and it's traditionally marked by massive crowds rushing into stores in order to take advantage of slashed prices on high-ticket items. However, in the retail sphere, the rise of e-commerce and discounts are steadily eclipsing Black Friday.

Whether you're planning on venturing out into the fray or surfing the web for the best deals, it helps to arm yourself with information about this year's discounts.

Here's what you need to know about Black Friday this year:

When is Black Friday?

When is Black Friday? BusinessInsider

Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving.

This year, Black Friday falls on November 23. Cyber Monday will take place on November 26. But deals will be kicking off across November and through the holiday season.

Is everything open on Black Friday?

Is everything open on Black Friday? BusinessInsider

Some retailers prefer to keep their doors shut on Black Friday.

REI is one of those brands. Black Friday just doesn't fit in with its mission. REI CEO Jerry Stritzke told Business Insider's Kate Taylor, "You don't win in the long-term by pushing ... what I call rampant consumerism."

Other employers give their whole workforce the day off on Thanksgiving.

According to BestBlackFriday.com, Costco, H&M, The Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe's, Nordstrom, Publix, REI, and Sam's Club will not open on Thanksgiving this year.

Read about all of the stores that will keep closed on Thanksgiving here.

Do any retailers open up early?

Do any retailers open up early? BusinessInsider

JCPenney isn't waiting for Black Friday to get started on its sales. On Thanksgiving at 2 p.m., the retailer will usher in shoppers. The stores will stay open until 10 p.m. on Black Friday.

Kohl's will open on Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. local time. The deals will run until 1 p.m. on Black Friday.

Macy's will reportedly welcome in shoppers at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving and close up shop at 2 a.m. on Black Friday. It will then reopen at 6 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. on Black Friday.

Walmart's in-store Black Friday event will then kick off on Thanksgiving, at 6 p.m. local time.

Meanwhile, Costco will be closed on Turkey Day. But the warehouse club is still hosting a number of online sales on Thanksgiving.

For a full rundown of when retailers will open their doors, click here.

How will Amazon handle Black Friday?

How will Amazon handle Black Friday? BusinessInsider

Amazon isn't a brick-and-mortar retailer like most powerhouses in the industry. So what's the Seattle-based retailer got in store for this Black Friday?

Business Insider's Dennis Green reported that Amazon doesn't plan to adhere to the tradition of offering deals exclusively on Black Friday. Instead, the company will offer "early Black Friday" deals throughout the month.

Why is the day called Black Friday?

Why is the day called Black Friday? BusinessInsider

Business Insider reported that the term "Black Friday" originated with Philadelphia police officers, who gave the day its gloomy name in reference to the 12-hour shifts they had to pull in order to "mitigate the madness."

Are any retailers offering early deals?

Are any retailers offering early deals? BusinessInsider

Like Amazon, a number of stores are courting early bird shoppers this year with preemptive Black Friday sales.

These aren't deals specific to Black Friday itself, but both Target and Best Buy have announced that they're overhauling their shipping strategies for the holiday season.

Best Buy is offering free shipping during the holiday season, while Target will extend its free two-day shipping policy until Christmas. Those policies are slated to entice customers looking to get their shopping out of the way.

Shoppers can also already check Walmart.com for select early Black Friday deals.

What kinds of discounts will stores be offering?

What kinds of discounts will stores be offering? BusinessInsider

BestBlackFriday.com reported that Costco will be attempting to lure in tech-oriented shoppers with a $249.99 9.7-inch iPad, as well as 14-inch HP Chromebooks and Dell Inspiron 11 3000s for $199.99. Best Buy will also likely boast a number of high-tech deals with discounts on MacBook Pros, TVs, and different types of speakers.

Shoppers at sister stores Sears and Kmart should keep out an eye for dramatic deals, given the recent news of the retailer's bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, IGN reported, "Walmart will probably have the absolute best price on a 4K TV as well as exclusive video game console bundles."

Walmart will also be sweetening its sales event by distributing free cookies and coffee for customers on Thanksgiving starting at 4 p.m.

More on Black Friday 2018:

'If you're open on Thanksgiving, it's hard not to pitch yourself as a greedy bastard': REI's CEO reveals why closing on Black Friday may be a smart business move
Black Friday is dead — and constant discounts could be to blame
Stores already have their Christmas decorations out, and it reveals a strategy that is killing Black Friday as we know it
Black Friday sales are starting soon — here's when stores will open
Costco, Home Depot, and dozens of other retailers are bucking a major Black Friday trend

What you need to know about Black Friday this year

More on Black Friday 2018:

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