Black Friday 2026: Retailers prepare for early sales and holiday ads

Retailers are preparing for the 2026 Black Friday shopping season, with early promotional advertisements and discounts expected to emerge throughout October and November.

Predictions for early ad releases include Costco and Best Buy around October 20, followed by Sam’s Club on October 21 and Walmart on October 27. Other major retailers such as Home Depot, JCPenney, and Macy’s are expected to announce deals in the first week of November.

In the gaming sector, early price reductions are already being observed for the Nintendo Switch 2. While major sales for the console, along with the PS5 and Xbox Series X, are anticipated around Black Friday on November 27, some retailers have begun offering discounts ahead of the official holiday period.