Black Friday is just days away and, while many are concerned with where to buy stretchy pants that will fit after Thanksgiving, smart shoppers are mapping out Black Friday shopping lists.
This year, while deals and steals are mainly focused on Friday, Long Island boutiques, national chains and malls are opening earlier every year, so savvy shoppers should first download the Black Friday Survival Guide App, which helps shoppers devise a fail-proof plan by comparing sales, searching deals and creating digital shopping lists. The Press has also devised this cheat sheet to help you navigate the madness…
Early bird specials can be found at Kohl’s, which will be offering deals during Operation Black Friday starting at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday with online bargains through 3 p.m., with Friday and in-store deals becoming available Thursday. More than 500 early-bird specials start at 12 a.m. Friday, including up to 55 percent off all watches, up to half off all toys, electronics and Christmas décor plus the St. Nicholas Square Trim-A-Tree, which is 60 percent off.
Shopping for a tech nerd? Opt for the Polaroid 8-inch Android Tablet that’s only $89.99 after a $30 mail-in rebate. In addition, for every $50 spent, shoppers Kohl’s will receive $15 cash off.
Tanger Outlets at The Arches Deer Park kicks off the Holiday shopping season at 10 p.m. Thursday with its annual Moonlight Madness Sale event, where shoppers can find exclusive deals throughout the weekend. Sales can be found at Last Call by Neiman Marcus, where most items are 40 percent off until noon, the Ann Taylor Factory Store, where everything will be an additional 50 percent off, and BCBGMAXAZRIA, where buying three or more items gets shoppers 50 percent off.
Tanger will also offer Deals After Dark—Visit TangerOutlet.com/savingspass to download passes—with which you can save 20 percent off at participating stores from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 30 percent off with Deals at Dawn from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Friday. Sales continue throughout the weekend at the outlet with Tanger’s BIG Sale, where shoppers will find bonus outlet savings like 40 percent off at American Eagle Outfitters and an additional 10 percent off Calvin Klein items.
Riverhead’s Tanger Outlets will be offering similar deals. Other sales offered at the outlet center include 20 percent off the entire Disney Store until 10 a.m., 40 percent off a purchase at Movado Company Store and 30 percent off everything at Restoration Hardware until 8 a.m. Friday and 25 percent off everything from 8 a.m. Friday to noon Sunday.
Sears and Toys ‘R’ Us will be opening at 8 p.m. Thursday. Sears is offering deals including a 32-inch HDTV for $97.
One of the most popular Black Friday destinations is Target, which is offering a slew of steals later this week—preview bargains in their 32-page Black Friday ad. Target is opening at 9 p.m. Thursday. More specials arrive when the clock strikes 4 a.m. Friday, when Target will offer deals such as including half off a NIKON L310 Digital Camera ($99.99), and Westinghouse 50-inch LCD TV 1080p for $349. Target will also offer a gift card to shoppers who purchase an iPad from 4 a.m. till noon Friday.
Also starting early is KMART, where doors open at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving and stay open through 3 a.m. and reopen at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. A 50-inch Proscan LCD television goes for just $288, or a Nintendo DSi for $79.99. Looking for footwear? Buy one pair and get the second free. KMART is offering its fantastic layaway program on Black Friday, so everyone can get what they want this season.
Wal-Mart’s Black Friday is divided into three events, starting kicking off at 8 p.m. Thursday. Family specials are first with toys, electronics and bikes for the family. Pre-Black Friday deals include Apple products like the Apple iPod Nano 16GB with an Accessory Kit for $139.99.
The second event kicks off at 10 p.m. Friday and is for the electronic junkies—a one-hour in-stock in-store guarantee of specials through 11 p.m. Deals include iPad 2 with 16GB & Wi-Fi for $399 plus a $75 Wal-Mart gift card, and $38 for a LG Blu-ray player.
The third event starts at 5 a.m. on Black Friday with more deals on everything from electronics to clothes and jewelry. Those not up for the mad dash can fire up the computer and order online.
Walt Whitman Mall opens at midnight Friday as well. The new Microsoft Store will be offering a $399 Acer Aspire V5 Notebook, 10 perfect off BEATS by Dr. Dre products, an XBOX 360 with Kindle Bundle for just $199, or a 3-month XBOX Live membership for $12.99. Planning a winter vacation? Head to LensCrafters for 50 perfect off prescription sunglasses.
Roosevelt Field Mall opens at 1 a.m. on Black Friday. Stores offering tempting deals include Steve Madden, where shoppers will receive a scratch-card promotion upon entry that may lead to a discount of up to 40 percent, or a free pair of shoes. Another store with steals is New York & Company, where everything is 50 percent to 70 percent off, like a pink peacoat that’s on sale for $39.99 and glove and scarf sets for $5.99. The first 100 customers to make a purchase will get a free watch.
Fox’s in Mineola and Huntington is also getting in on Black Friday, hosting their annual Holiday Party Friday starting at 10 a.m. The store will showcase special collections and designers as well as a selection of cashmeres, sheerings, furs, accessories and shoes. Guests can shop till they drop as they are treated to music, food and drinks.
Broadway Mall opens at 12 a.m. Friday with a $20 gift certificate to the mall for the first 100 shoppers that donate four non-perishable food items.
Smith Haven Mall will also be opening its doors at midnight on Black Friday. One place to bring your purse is Aeropostale. The store is offering a 60 percent off everything deal, and even better: Those who spend $99 receive a $20 gift card.
Best Buy will be chock full of steals when its doors open at 12 a.m. Friday. Shoppers can save on everything from a Toshiba 40-inch Class LCD HDTV more than half off the original price at $179.99, to the new iPhone 4S 8G for only $1 with a 2-Year Activation. But get in line early, as Best Buy will be handing out tickets two hours before midnight.
Macy’s opens at midnight on Black Friday, too. Shoppers will want to make a beeline for women’s sportswear, which is 20 to 25 percent off, half off women’s coats, and 40 percent off purses. Prada Candy is launching a limited edition fragrance for their 1 year anniversary, the Collector’s Eau de Parfum, priced at $108 also comes with a hot pink “Give Me Candy” bracelet.
P.C. Richard & Son opens at 4 a.m. Friday and is touting every TV and appliance on sale with special financing for Black Friday. Save $200 each on 7.2 Cu. washer and dryer. Sharp’s 70-inch Class LED 1080p 120Hz HDTV, which normally retails for $2,799.97 is a steal at $1,999.99.
Staples will be offering steals on computers like Asus K55A-BI5093B 15.6-inch Laptop for $200 off at $449.99,.
Lowe’s, offering up to $1,300 on select appliances, will follow at 5 a.m.
Home Depot also opens at 5 a.m. and is offering major price cuts on appliances like LG Electronics 3.6 cu.ft High Efficiency Front Load Steam Washer and Electric Dryer for $1,498 and an LG Electronics French Door Refrigerator for $1,598.
Westfield Sunrise Mall opens at 5 a.m. as well. The Children’s Place is offering up to 50 percent off everything while Yankee Candle is offering a Fragrance Lover’s Tote with every $50 purchase and free jar to those who buy two. RenaMarie Jewelers is offering up to 60 percent off 14K gold, diamonds and sterling silver jewelry along with a free holiday teddy bear with a purchase of more than $100.
J.C. Penney opens at 6 a.m. Friday and is offering awesome deals on jewelry including colorful enamel bracelets from Liz Clairborne that will all be under $25, Liz Clairborne hoop earrings for $14 and $100 off select Invicta watches.
Marshall’s and TJ Maxx open at 7 a.m. Friday, offering cuts on their already discounted designer merchandise. Head to TJ Maxx to pick up smartphone and tablet accessories for 60 percent to 80 percent off. With their everyday low prices combined with this deal, select accessories will drop your jaw at under $15.
And at 9 a.m. Friday, new store Second Time Around in Huntington which boasts consignment and vintage items is offering customers 20 percent off everything and great deals on handbags. Here, you’ll find a Kate Spade pink quilted bag for $269 and a Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Clutch for $109.
At the same time, in Sayville, Paper Doll Vintage Boutique will open its doors and offer vintage-loving shoppers 25 percent off dresses, gloves, belts, bags furs, 20 percent off coats, 15 percent off shoes and boots, and 10 percent off everything else. Owner Dominique Maciejka says makeup is buy one get one half off. Deals will be offered through Small Business Saturday.
An hour later, Maximus Spa & Salon in Carle Place is offering a spa steal with a three month Spa Pass for just $265. Talk about a great Christmas gift for mom!
Not in the mood to leave the house after stuffing your face with Turkey the night before? Find endless steals for movies, music, video games and more at Amazon.com. Blu-ray titles start at $3.99 while other deals include Gold’s Gym Sleeveless Reflective Running Vest for $9.99 and ViewSonic PRO8200 1080p DLP Home Theater Projector for $699.99 with free shipping.
aAdditional reporting by Laura Cerrone
