National Deal Week kicks off every year from Thanksgiving Day through the following Wednesday. This period, created by Deal News, celebrates the heaviest online and in-store spending of the year, encompassing Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Prepare to discover incredible discounts, plan your holiday shopping, and save big on everything from electronics to fashion.
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History of National Deal Week
Before Black Friday became known as a big shopping day, it was a reference to dark days in the country’s history. The most popular of those days was the Panic of 1869. A stock market catastrophe was caused by Jay Gould and James Fisk, who attempted to use their connections with the Grant Administration to manipulate the gold market. President Grant’s effort to prevent that led to a stock market crash, causing many people to lose fortunes.
Black Friday’s first use as a shopping day dates back to the 1960s in Philadelphia. It referred to the day after Thanksgiving when a massive crowd of shoppers and visitors troop to the city for holiday purchases. The day was also before the Army-Navy football game, hosted by the city of Philadelphia. All these resulted in heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic, forcing traffic cops to work 12-hour shifts to control the traffic. This yearly traffic chaos became referred to as “Black Friday,” reflecting the police’s irritation and frustration.
In 1961, a public relations expert advised the city of Philadelphia and its retailers to rename these days as “Big Friday” and “Big Saturday.” While the city implemented this recommendation, the terms never caught on with the general public. Over time, Black Friday began spreading to cities outside Philadelphia, including Trenton and New Jersey.
While it has been touted as the biggest shopping day since 1975, it was only officially designated as that – the biggest shopping day in the year — in the 2000s, overtaking the Saturday before Christmas.
In 2011, Deal News introduced National Deal Week to celebrate the period of the year when shoppers make the most online purchases.
National Deal Week timeline
Philadelphia traffic cops coin the term “Black Friday” to refer to the traffic disruptions that occur the day after Thanksgiving.
Black Friday has become a term used by retailers and shoppers outside Philadelphia.
Black Friday earns the designation 'the biggest shopping day of the year,' overtaking the Saturday before Christmas.
Deal News creates National Deal Week, to celebrate the growth of online shopping.
National Deal Week FAQs
When is National Deal Week?
National Deal Week 2026 runs from Thursday, November 26, through Wednesday, December 2, marking the start of the holiday shopping frenzy.
How much do consumers spend during Deal Week?
Consumers are expected to spend billions during National Deal Week 2026, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday alone often generating over $20 billion in online sales. This period is a significant economic driver for retailers.
What are Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday, observed on November 27, 2026, is the day after Thanksgiving, known for major in-store and online sales. Cyber Monday, on November 30, 2026, focuses specifically on online deals, extending the savings for digital shoppers.
Is National Deal Week only for online shopping?
While National Deal Week heavily features online sales, especially with Cyber Monday, it also encompasses traditional in-store Black Friday deals. Many retailers offer omnichannel promotions that blend both experiences for shoppers.
National Deal Week Activities
Go shopping
If you have been holding out on yourself all through the year, National Deal Week is the perfect time to go all out without breaking the bank. Take advantage of Amazon or Walmart deals and discounts to buy yourself that latest device, clothing, or a trip to your desired holiday destination. Turn on email notifications for top retail stores like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, or Target, to be among the firsts to get those shopping deals and discounts.
Buy a gift for a loved one
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Use this period to buy Christmas and New Year gifts and presents for family, friends, significant others, and coworkers. Check Macy’s online store for the best presents to get or go to the nearest store near you that offers Black Friday sales.
Kick back and relax
If you’re not into shopping or not interested in Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping this year, you can use National Deal Week to relax and catch up on the latest movies or your favorite series. Black Friday is observed as 'The Day After Thanksgiving' in some states, making it a holiday. That, combined with Thanksgiving and the weekend after it, gives you a long stretch of days to chill and have fun with loved ones.
5 Interesting Facts About Black Friday You Didn't Know
It was rebranded as Big Friday
The city of Philadelphia tried to rebrand Black Friday as Big Friday, but the term never became popular with the public.
Its predecessor was Santa Claus parades
Before Black Friday grew in popularity, Santa Claus parades on December 2 usually signal the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
It’s El Buen Fin in Mexico
Black Friday is known as El Buen Fin – the good weekend – in Mexico, marked in the same week as the Mexican revolution anniversary, which is the same time as the American Thanksgiving.
It’s not the busiest shopping day
The award for the busiest shopping day of the year goes to the Saturday before Christmas.
Walmart broke the tradition
In 2011, Walmart broke the Black Friday tradition by opening its store on Thanksgiving evening, ushering in a new shopping day called 'Grey Thursday.'
Why We Love National Deal Week
It’s one of the best weeks to shop in stores and online
National Deal Week includes two of the busiest shopping days of the year — Black Friday and Cyber Monday – which offer massive discounts and cheap shopping deals. You can get anything from T.V.s, mobile and P.C. devices, and gadgets to clothing and flight tickets at heavily discounted prices and less than any other time in the year.
National Deal Week is fun
The fantastic deals and outrageous discounts available on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and the stuffed turkey and cold beer of Thanksgiving make National Deal Week one of the most fun-filled weeks of the year. Spoil yourself with discounted devices or fashion items, and enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
It’s also a week to express gratitude
National Deal Week includes American Thanksgiving Day, where friends, family, and loved ones gather together to celebrate the successes of the previous years and reflect on the upcoming one. It’s also a day to show gratitude to those who have positively impacted our lives through gifts.
National Deal Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 26–December 2 | Wednesday–Tuesday |
