Holiday Shopping and Spending

With the holidays just days away, Target is the latest retailer to help consumers get their last-minute shopping done. 

This year, shoppers will be able to get gifts delivered – or picked up – on Christmas Eve, and there are still ways to save on last-minute gift ideas. 

"At Target, we understand that life can get busy, which is why we're committed to making last-minute holiday shopping easy and affordable with delivery options and deals that fit every schedule and budget," said Michael Fiddelke, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Target. 

"Whether you're picking up one final gift or making a quick grocery run, our team is ready to help you wrap up your to-do list and save money in multiple ways so you can enjoy the magic of the season."

Last-minute gift deals

Every week throughout the holiday season, Target has been offering exclusive deals for shoppers on popular items. With one week left to go, there are still ways for consumers to save on gifts this season. 

Here’s a look at what to expect: 

• Up to 40% off floor care, including Shark and Dyson

• Up to 50% off select toys, including Squishmallows, 5 Surprise, and Play-Doh

• Up to 40% off small appliances, including Ninja and Cuisinart

• Spend $40 on beauty and health, get a $10 Target gift card

• 30% off select women’s clothing 

• Additional savings on books, tech, and video games 

Get gifts delivered on Christmas Eve

In addition to the deals on last-minute gifts, Target is offering shoppers a few different ways to get their gifts at their convenience. 

For one, the retailer has extended holiday hours at nearly all of its brick-and-mortar locations. Stores open at 7:00 a.m. local time and remain open until midnight local time through December 23. 

While all stores are closed on Christmas Day, stores will be open on Christmas Eve from 7:00 a.m. local time through 8:00 p.m. local time. 

Shoppers can also take advantage of Target’s pick-up and drive up options, as well as same-day delivery, through Christmas Eve. Orders placed for in-store pick-up or drive up by 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve will be ready before stores close. Same-day delivery orders must be placed by 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve to receive them in time. 

Every year, thousands fall victim to holiday scams, losing money, personal information, and peace of mind. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Common Scams

• Non-delivery scams: You pay for something online but never receive it.
• Non-payment scams: You ship an item but never get paid.
• Auction fraud: Misrepresented products on auction sites.
• Gift card fraud: Scammers ask for payment via pre-paid cards.

In 2023, non-payment and non-delivery scams cost victims over $309 million, and credit card fraud added $173 million in losses, according to the FBI. 

How to Protect Yourself

1. Practice Cybersecurity:

   • Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments.
   • Verify requests to update account information by contacting companies directly.

2. Buy and Sell Safely:

   • Check websites for secure URLs (https).
   • Research first-time sellers and read reviews.
   • Be cautious of buyers or sellers with no ratings or poor feedback.

3. Pay Carefully:

   • Avoid wiring money or using gift cards for payments.
   • Use credit cards and monitor your statements for suspicious activity.

4. Track Your Orders:

   • Always get tracking numbers for items you buy.
   • Confirm cardholder authorization when selling products.

Report Scams

If you’ve been scammed, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and notify your bank or credit card company.

Remember: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay vigilant and shop safely this holiday season.

While there are plenty of Black Friday sales to take advantage of this holiday season, Dollar General is preparing to help consumers save beyond just the one weekend. 

The discount retailer announced it will be hosting “24 Days of Deals,” a month-long sales event in December where one item is significantly discounted each day of the month. 

“With the stress of fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we wanted to find a fun way for our customers to plan for and capture upcoming deep discounts on hot items,” said Emily Taylor, DG’s executive vice president, chief merchandising officer. 

“The 24 Days of Savings is a unique holiday promotional campaign for DG and is in addition to all the great savings already available in-store on electronics, appliances, gift wrapping, trees and more.”

What can shoppers expect? 

Dollar General is preparing to discount over 6,000 items storewide throughout the holiday season. However, during its 24 Days of Deals sale, shoppers can expect bigger deals on certain items each day. 

While there’s still a few days before the sale officially kicks off, Dollar General is highlighting some discounts consumers can prepare for: 

• 50% off 36-inch tower speaker system

• $1 sale on all $3 holiday mugs

• 2 for $6 Smithfield bacon

• Buy 1, Get 1 free True Living plates or bowls 

Starting on December 1, the myDG app will be updated every Sunday morning with the full week of sales. In addition, the weekly deals will be posted on Dollar General’s social media channels, in stores, and on DG.com. 

Target, which warned this week that its holiday sales might be worse than expected, probably hopes its Black Friday deals will brighten its holiday a bit.

This year, the retailer is offering some of its deepest discounts of the season, with prices cut by up to 50% on a wide range of items including tech, apparel, video games, and holiday items. essentials.

Target is saving its best deals for a three-day stretch from Thursday, November 28, to Saturday, November 30. The company said shoppers can look forward to twice as many offers compared to last year. 

Most Target stores will open their doors at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday, featuring exclusive deals and two highly anticipated Taylor Swift items: "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book" and "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology" album, available in-store only on Black Friday.

Sales will continue with a two-day Cyber Monday event on December 1-2, featuring exclusive online deals on Target.com and the Target app. 

Black Friday deals

Target's Black Friday Week deals include:

• 50% off select board games and puzzles, including Wicked the Game and classics like Monopoly

• Up to 50% off select toys

• Up to 50% off floorcare from brands like Dyson, Shark and iRobot

• Up to 50% off small appliances from brands like Cuisinart, Nespresso and Ninja

• Up to 50% off select luggage

• 40% off sweatshirts, sweatpants, fleece and denim for all

• Up to 40% off laptops, tablets, printers and office accessories

• Save up to $150 on select Apple devices

• 30% off select adult sleepwear

• Up to 35% off select TVs, soundbars and streaming devices

• Save $75 on PlayStation 5 Consoles

• Buy two get one free books, movies and music with Target Circle

Target plans to mark down board games, toys and small appliances. It will also offer up to $150 off select Apple devices and significant savings on PlayStation 5 consoles.

Three-day weekend sales

For the three-day Black Friday weekend, Target is offering these deals:

• 50% off beauty gift sets

• 50% off boots for all

• Up to 50% off Cat & Jack tees

• 40% off sweaters, outerwear and cold weather accessories

• 40% off matching sleepwear

• 40% off slippers for all

• 30% off select holiday decor including lighting and stockings

• $5 matching pajama tees and pants (was $10)

• $5 Cat & Jack and Carter's toddler pajama sets (were $10 and $12)

With Black Friday right around the corner, and many retailers getting ready for the big sales, it’s time for consumers to start preparing their shopping trips. 

Target has officially announced its plans for shoppers this holiday season, including extended shopping hours during this busy season. 

"Target is the place to be on Black Friday — and all season long — with incredible deals on thousands of items across every category and exclusive in-store items you'll want to pick up for everyone on your gift list this year," said Mark Schindele, chief stores officer at Target. 

"With extended store hours, convenient same-day pickup and delivery options and around-the-clock online availability, you can choose when, where and how to shop, and our fantastic team will be there to deliver."

What to expect

Ahead of Black Friday, Target’s store hours will be what consumers are used to from their local stores. Then, starting on Black Friday, shoppers will have the opportunity for extended hours throughout the holiday season. 

Here’s what Target is planning: 

• Wednesday, November 27: Regular store hours. Same-day Drive Up or Pick Up orders will be available within two hours, and all orders must be placed within two hours of store closing. Target Circle360 members will have access to unlimited same-day delivery. 

• Thursday, November 28: All Target locations will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. While Black Friday sales are ongoing online, anything purchased on Thanksgiving Day will be available for pick-up on Black Friday. 

• Friday, November 29 (Black Friday): All Target locations will open at 6:00 a.m. local time. 

• Saturday, November 30 – Monday, December 23: Target locations will be open 7:00 a.m. local time and remain open through midnight local time to give shoppers even more time to shop during the busy holiday season. 

Black Friday deals

Target officially kicked off its holiday season sales on November 1. Despite the early start, the retailer has plans to keep running special sales and discounts through Christmas Eve, December 24. 

Every day through Christmas Eve, Target will have its Deal of the Day, offering shoppers exclusive opportunities to save on specific items throughout the store for one day only. 

Additionally, every week, Target will release a new lineup of deals that will give consumers the opportunity to save on certain things each week. 

Lastly, Target’s official Black Friday sale starts online on Thanksgiving Day, November 28. In-person sales will begin on Black Friday, November 29. 

It’s officially the time of year for consumers to start planning for Black Friday. 

Target is the latest retailer to announce its holiday shopping plans, sharing that special deals will begin on November 1 and run through Christmas Eve on December 24. 

"We know consumers have a lot of choices when it comes to holiday shopping, so we're leaning into what Target does better than anyone — great products, great prices and a shopping experience that's easy and fun," said Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Target. 

"With amazing deals all season, early Black Friday offers, exclusive deals for Target Circle members, an assortment full of exclusive-to-Target gift options for everyone on your list and our industry-leading Holiday Price Match Guarantee, our team is kicking off the holidays in a way only Target can."

When can you start shopping?

Target has several opportunities for shoppers to save this holiday season. Here’s a breakdown of some of the dates and sales to keep an eye on: 

• Deal of the Day: Target’s Deal of the Day will run from November 1-December 24, offering shoppers exclusive opportunities to save on specific items throughout the store for one day only. Some of the deals Target is previewing: 

  • 15% off gift cards

  • 40% off sleepwear for the family

  • Savings on Apple Watches

  • Savings on floor cleaners 

• Weeklong Deals: Starting November 3, Target will release a new lineup of deals that will change on a weekly basis. Updated every Sunday and running through Saturday, the deals will give consumers the opportunity to save on certain things each week. For the first week (November 3-9), Target is previewing some sales: 

  • Up to 50% off floor care

  • Up to 30% off select home decor

  • Up to 50% off headphones

  • Up to 30% off baby gear

  • Up to 25% off soundbars and TVs 

  • Buy one get one 50% off select toy brands 

• Early Black Friday Sale: Target will be hosting a three-day early Black Friday sale from November 7-9 – a few weeks before Black Friday. Some early sale items consumers can expect during this sale include: 

  • Up to 50% off small appliances 

  • 50% off Threshold holiday sheets

  • Up to 40% off technology

  • 30% off select toys

  • 30% off shoes and clothes 

  • 30% off holiday trees and lights 

• Black Friday Sale: Black Friday sales will start at Target a day early – on Thanksgiving, November 28. In-person sales will begin local time on Friday, November 29.