Black Friday is fast approaching. And while many consumers are now turning to online sales and Cyber Monday for their tech shopping, there are still great deals to be had in-store. So if you’re looking to do some shopping on tech gear the Friday after Thanksgiving, here are some brick-and-mortar retailers you should consider.
Walmart
Walmart has been called the “king” of Black Friday in the past. And if you’re looking at nabbing a smartphone, TV or various tech accessories, they may just be the best choice this Black Friday.
It’s offering a $300 gift card when activating an iPhone 11, 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max on an installment plan, for example. And there are excellent deals on AirPods, iPads, Apple Watches, Chromebooks and various smart speakers. See the ad here.
Best Buy
When it comes to buying tech products, Best Buy is the first choice for a lot of people. That’s especially true if they’re a Best Buy rewards member — and if you are, you should give the retailer a hard look this Black Friday.
For one, Best Buy is offering a free Amazon Echo Dot with purchases while supplies last. You’ll also find steep discounts on various laptops, smartphones, tablets and accessories. And yes, that also includes Macs, iPhones and iPads. Find deals here.
Target
While Target currently has a ton of Black Friday deals available now, some of the best discounts are going to be found in-store on the day itself.
On Black Friday, Target will be marking down various tablets, video game consoles, headphones, and smart devices. If you’re in the market for an Android smartphone, the retailer is offering a $300 gift card on activation of Google’s new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. You can also earn a $200 dollar gift card for any iPhone 11 purchase. See the ad here.
Costco
Many media outlets have noted how serious Costco’s deals are this year. While you’ll need to be a Costco member to take advantage of that, they’re worth a serious look if you fit that bill.
Costco, for example, is holding some excellent deals on various Android devices and probably has some of the best discounts on laptop and desktop computers — including various Apple MacBook and iMac models. See the ad here.
Your Carrier
Normally, you may only go to see your carrier when your phone is paid off or you need to add line to your contact. But don’t discount the kinds of offers and promotions that your own carrier may have this Black Friday.
Most carriers will let you upgrade your device with qualifying trade-ins and many offer free or heavily discounted smartphones with the activation of new lines. Better yet, your carrier isn’t as likely to be packed as the big box stores.
Smaller Stores
As it turns out, you might be able to find some of the best in-store deals at retailers you wouldn’t normally consider. Business Insider notes that Fred Meyer, a Pacific Northwest chain of superstores, was actually the biggest discounter of consumer electronics last year.
So look at smaller or non-tech-specific stores like Office Depot, Kohl’s, JCPenny, Staples and others. You may just find an excellent deal on an item you were looking for.
Apple
Apple doesn’t usually hold traditional Black Friday events. For example, the company usually never actually discounts its own devices when you buy directly from them.
Last year, Apple actually offered “cash back” in the form of Apple Store gift cards — which could help recoup the cost of a new device. More than that, you’ll also get 3% daily cash back if you use your Apple Card to buy new products.
This year Apple’s offering $200 gift cards when purchasing select items.