With so many. options for finding bargains, Black Friday may not draw the crowds of previous years.

One may even ask, is it smart to shop on Black Friday?

Maybe Not

According to WalletHub, around 11% of items at major retailers will be more expensive on Black Friday than their current Amazon.com prices.

Where to Shop

Macy’s State Street Store in Chicago. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer

If you shop, where will you find the best prices? WalletHub’s recent holiday studies showMacy’s, JCPenney and Belk are 2021’s Best Places to Shop on Black Friday, offering an average discount of at least 56.7%.
 

What to Buy

Consumer packaged goods will offer the most value on Black Friday 2021 relative to their current prices, while computers and phones are expected to have the least rewarding deals.

No Holiday Gifts

1 in 4 people are foregoing holiday gifts this year due to COVID-19, according to WalletHub’s 2021 Coronavirus and Holiday Shopping Survey.
 

Get Smart With Credit

Consumers can save $500+ with one of 2021’s Best Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping. Some consumers already have access to little-known credit card benefits that can come in handy over the holidays, including price-drop protection and coverage for damaged or stolen items.

99% of store credit cards do not charge an annual fee, and the average card offering rewards in the form of discounts gives you 17% off your first purchase, according to WalletHub’s 2021 Store Card Landscape Report.
 
41% of the major retailers offering 0% financing use a dangerous feature called deferred interest, which has the potential to make holiday purchases up to 27.5 times more expensive than expected.

Gift Cards

Starbucks Reserve Michigan Avenue flagship store

Starbucks, Target and Nike top the list of 2021’s Best Gift Cards.