Wirecutter’s Jason Chen Breaks Down Your Biggest Black Friday & Holiday Shopping Doubts

Jason Chen answers your top Black Friday shopping questions. Jason Chen answers your top Black Friday shopping questions.

2. How Black Friday Shopping Has Changed Over the Years

Black Friday shopping has evolved from in-store rushes to online deals and year-round promotions.
Black Friday shopping has evolved from in-store rushes to online deals and year-round promotions.

Jason Chen frequently highlights that Black Friday is no longer a one-day event. It has evolved into a weeks-long cycle of sales, influenced by changing consumer behavior, online shopping dominance, and retailer competition.

Key changes shaping modern Black Friday:

  • Deals begin as early as late October.
  • Major tech brands release early discounts to clear inventory.
  • Retailers price-match aggressively to stop customers from switching platforms.
  • Cyber Monday is no longer separate — it’s part of the same mega-sale period.
  • Many “doorbuster deals” are manufactured specifically for holiday sales.

The biggest takeaway?

Black Friday is now a season, not a day — and smart shoppers must treat it that way.