Five Tips for Shopping Black Friday Deals in Stores Like Kohls

We are officially in the holiday season. People are already planning holiday parties and most holiday travel is getting booked. This year is a little different for me because I’m working in retail and I have to work the holiday. Despite working I am already planning what deals I’m heading out to grab for Black Friday. If you’re planning on shopping this year I have five tips for shopping Black Friday deals in stores like Kohls and other big box stores. Proper planning will make it so much easier to snag all your gifts at great prices.

Start with a List

I’m horrible at keeping up with the gifts I purchase. I love shopping early with Black Friday weekend being the end of my shopping for holiday gifting. However, I would often forget about gifts I’d picked up earlier in the year and often ended up finding items after the holidays and sometimes later. Creating a list of all your gift recipients, along with gift ideas and items purchases will help make sure you stay on track with your gifting. Remember to cross people off your list once you’ve completed shopping for them. A list can also help track spending and keep your budget on track.

Compare Deals From Different Stores

Multiple stores usually have similar deals for popular items. Two years ago I was shopping for an Xbox One for my son. I took a few days to track down Black Friday sales from multiple stores and while they all were the same price, the extra bonuses are what made me choose Kohl’s for the purchase. I got the same bundle I saw at several different stores but it also offered $60 in Kohl’s Cash, it was perfect for me to purchase an extra controller and a game as well. Most other stores were offering gift cards for $50 or less. Kohl’s Cash is actually one of my favorite reasons to shop at the store because I often end up with “free money” to spend in the store again.

Snag Your Big Ticket Items First

Once you’ve mapped out what you plan on grabbing on Black Friday, be sure to make a list of your big-ticket items. I like making a solid plan before heading out. I plan my store route carefully to monopolize the trip in various ways. I pick shopping areas with multiple big stores in the same vicinity, that way I can hit a few stores in a shorter space of time. I always grab my big-ticket items first. I know in advance what item I need to get first and from where that’s where I usually start my shopping. I also have back up plans for must-have items if they are on sale at multiple stores just in case I miss a deal somewhere else.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Some of my best Black Friday deals were the ones I didn’t even plan to purchase in the first place. I love walking around the store and finding some great deals on other items I might want for myself, the house, or even for gifting. You never know what you may find when you’re out shopping in-store, so give yourself some extra time to browse to find all the deals available in the store. You also need to consider check out time as well when shopping on Black Friday since lines are often longer than usual.

Check for Online Sales

If you’re an online shopper like me, be sure to scan Black Friday ads to see if stores have deals available online before their stores open up for Black Friday shopping. Kohl’s always has deals online for some of their more popular sales before the physical stores open for the same sales. It could end up saving you a trip to the store entirely if you can grab a good deal early enough. Cyber deals can be just as good as the ones in stores. Snagging a must-have online early could also free up more time for shopping in-store without the pressure of making sure you get an item you really want.

I’ve already started making my list for shopping this year. Despite having to work, I’m planning to get out and grab some deals from my favorite stores like Kohl’s, Walmart, and more.