The best places for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals
In recent years Black Friday has become an annual shopping extravaganza. Celebrated the day after Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November every year, Black Friday offers the chance for Americans to scour the shops for pre-Christmas bargains. And, as with many things, America does festive shopping bigger and better than anywhere else in the world.
Since 2005 the following Monday has been known as Cyber Monday, with many US retailers extending the shopping celebration over the entire weekend and online. This year US retailers are expected to announce more discounts and reductions than ever, so why not book a short getaway and make the most of the sales stateside?
Here are four of the best shopping destinations in the US to consider.
- Florida
Famous for its fiery Latino culture, hedonist beaches and family-friendly theme parks. Florida provides the perfect place to splash out on festive bargains over the Black Friday weekend.
With an abundance of outlet stores and shopping malls, there are few better places to enjoy a weekend of gift hunting in the sun than Orlando. Some of the best spots include the Florida Mall, the state’s biggest retail centre where, free gifts will be handed out to the first 200 shoppers on Thanksgiving evening. Also worth a visit are Mall at Millennia and Premium Outlets, of which there are two separate stores offering the longest Black Friday weekend opening hours.
Similarly, fashion capital Miami is renowned for sizzling sales under its blue skies, with huge discounts on designer clothing. Florida’s largest retail and entertainment complex, Sawgrass Mills, is a guaranteed winner for deal-seekers, and is already offering a number of Black Friday deals to entice shoppers even earlier than usual.
- New York City
Easy to reach for European travellers, East Coast tourist magnet New York City is as well known for its shopping, as it is for Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. The Big Apple is where Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s were born, and a trip this Black Friday will be taken alongside thousands of other shopping tourists, from around the world.
New York caters for every kind of purchase you can think of, from luxury designer brands to high-street retailers and consumer electronics. For edgy designer fashion you can visit the world renowned Barneys, whilst the city’s huge Apple store is a hub for creative tech-types, looking to cash out on the latest trends. If neither takes your fancy, a weekend of window shopping on 5th Avenue is a must for a cheaper dose of retail therapy.
- Las Vegas
While many visit the notorious desert oasis of Las Vegas for the thrills and spills of its many casinos, the city is also a prime destination for bargain hunters every Black Friday weekend.
With nearly every mall opening at midnight for eager Black Friday shoppers, along with a number of premium outlet stores and popular retailers; Vegas promises more return from your money over the Black Friday weekend, than you’re likely to get at a Bellagio table.
- Los Angeles
Under the watchful gaze of the iconic Hollywood sign, Los Angeles boasts some of the world’s finest cuisine, culture and retail therapy. It’s unlikely that you’ll find any Black Friday deals on LA’s exclusive Rodeo Drive, but shoppers will be spoilt for choice elsewhere, with countless bargains to be found under the warm California sun.
Bargain hunters have several popular LA destinations to choose from this Black Friday weekend, with shopping malls and discount stores ready to open their doors when the clock strikes midnight on Thursday night. The trendy neighbourhoods of Melrose Avenue and the Sunset Strip will be alive with pre-Christmas sales on discounted clothing and gadgets, while plenty of retail stores, including over 25 Best Buys and 20 Walmarts, will be packed with shoppers for the entire weekend.
So take advantage of the larger than life American sales this Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, and make a holiday out of it at the same time.