Of course! Finding the best Black Friday deals in Chicago is all about knowing where to look, both online and in-store. Here’s a comprehensive guide to mirroring (finding) the best deals in the city.
Start Online First: Many “doorbuster” deals are available online starting on Thanksgiving or even earlier. Use apps like Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart to snag deals without the crowds.
Check Store Hours: Black Friday hours can be unusual (e.g., open on Thanksgiving evening). Always check the specific location’s hours on its website before you go.
Public Transit is Your Friend: Driving and parking in popular shopping districts like the Magnificent Mile or Woodfield Mall on Black Friday can be a nightmare. Use the CTA (L trains and buses) or Metra for a much less stressful trip.
Price Match: Many major retailers (Target, Best Buy, Walmart) will price-match deals from competitors, even on Black Friday (with some restrictions). Have the online ad ready on your phone.
These are your best bets for in-store doorbusters and the classic Black Friday experience.
1. Best Buy
What to expect: The go-to for deals on TVs, laptops, headphones, video games, and smart home devices.
Key Chicago Locations:
North & Clybourn Ave (Near North Side)
2645 N Elston Ave (Bucktown)
Multiple locations in suburbs like Lincolnwood, Niles, and Evanston.
Pro Tip: Their deals are usually heavily advertised. Create a shortlist online and be ready to act fast.
2. Target
What to expect: Great for everything: electronics, toys, home goods, small appliances, and clothing.
Key Chicago Locations: Dozens throughout the city. Major ones include:
Target Roosevelt Square (South Loop)
Target Wilson Yard (Uptown)
Target on Elston Ave (Bucktown)
Pro Tip: Use the Target app for exclusive coupons and cartwheel offers that stack on top of Black Friday prices.
3. Walmart
What to expect: Extreme doorbusters on electronics, toys, and small appliances. Known for its low prices across all categories.
Key Chicago Locations: Most are in the outer neighborhoods and suburbs, such as:
Walmart Supercenter in Lakeview (Broadway & Belmont)
Chatham Supercenter
Portage Park Supercenter
Pro Tip: Check their online “Black Friday Deals” page, which often has rolling sales throughout November.
4. Apple Michigan Avenue
What to expect: Typically, they don’t do traditional “doorbusters,” but they offer gift cards with the purchase of select products (e.g., a $100 gift card with a Mac purchase). The real draw is the experience.
Location: 401 N Michigan Ave
Pro Tip: The lines here are iconic but long. For Apple products, you can often find better outright discounts at retailers like Best Buy, Target, or Amazon.
5. Nordstrom & Macy’s on the Magnificent Mile
What to expect: The epicenter of high-energy shopping. Expect huge discounts on clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and luxury goods.
Locations: Along North Michigan Avenue.
Pro Tip: Macy’s is famous for its elaborate holiday windows and festive atmosphere. Nordstrom’s sale is usually more curated. Both are fantastic for clothing deals.
The Magnificent Mile: The ultimate destination. Besides Nordstrom and Macy’s, you’ll find hundreds of stores like Nike, Uniqlo, Zara, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue all offering major sales.
Water Tower Place: An indoor mall on Michigan Ave housing stores like Apple, American Girl, Lululemon, and Macy’s.
Block 37: Downtown shopping center with brands like Anthropologie, Columbia, Lucky Brand, and a large Microsoft Store.
Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg): One of the largest malls in the U.S. It’s a trek from downtown but worth it for the sheer volume of stores (Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Apple, etc.). Accessible via I-90 or Pace Bus.
The specific deals for Black Friday 2024 won’t be fully revealed until late November. However, you can start preparing now.
Visit Dedicated Deal Websites: These sites work year-round to find discounts and will be flooded with Black Friday ad “leaks” and scans starting in early November.
BFAds.net: The best for seeing scanned copies of every major store’s Black Friday ad as soon as they are released.
Slickdeals.net: A fantastic community-driven deal forum. Set up deal alerts for products you want.
The Black Friday.com: Another great resource for ad scans and news.
Follow Your Favorite Stores: Sign up for email newsletters from Target, Best Buy, etc. They will send previews and early access links to their best customers.
Use Price Tracking Tools: Install browser extensions like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) or Honey to see historical prices and ensure you’re actually getting a good deal.
In summary: For the best Black Friday deals in Chicago, plan your targets online first, use public transportation to reach major retail corridors like the Magnificent Mile or key big-box stores, and always be ready to check a competitor’s price on your phone.
Generally speaking, our order requirements are as follows: the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for large items is 50 pieces, for regular items it is 100 pieces, for small items it is 500 pieces, and for very small items (such as ceramic decorations) the MOQ is 1,000 pieces. Orders exceeding $100,000 will receive a 5% discount. The delivery timeline is determined based on the specific order quantity and production schedule. Typically, we are able to complete delivery within two months.