If you’re already thinking about holiday shopping, you’re not alone—major retailers just dropped their early Black Friday deals, and the timing reveals something crucial about this year’s shopping season. Walmart announced their 2025 Black Friday events on October 27th, kicking off what appears to be the earliest discount window we’ve seen in years.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Major retailers are launching deals weeks earlier than traditional Black Friday
- Electronics including laptops and TVs are seeing unprecedented early discounts
- The pricing strategy suggests inventory management changes post-supply chain issues
- Shoppers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain all have access
The Standout Deals Worth Your Attention
What makes this year different isn’t just the timing—it’s the specific products getting early price cuts. The class F35 Series LED 4K TV dropped to $349.99, representing one of the more aggressive TV discounts we’re seeing this early in the season. Meanwhile, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15.6 laptop is seeing a $250 reduction, bringing it into impulse-buy territory for students and remote workers.
These aren’t just random markdowns either. According to Best Buy’s Black Friday preview, we’re seeing coordinated discount patterns across multiple retailers. When both Walmart and Best Buy launch similar deals simultaneously, it signals these are the product categories where they’re most competitive—and where you’ll find the genuine bargains.
Why This Timing Changes Everything
Historically, the deepest Black Friday discounts appeared the week of Thanksgiving. This year’s October launch represents a significant shift in retail strategy. Retailers seem to be testing whether spreading out discounts reduces the Thanksgiving weekend chaos while maintaining sales volume.
For budget-conscious shoppers, this creates both opportunities and challenges. The advantage? You can secure major purchases now without waiting. The risk? You might miss even better deals later if inventory doesn’t move as expected.
The geographic reach also matters. With deals launching simultaneously across eight countries, retailers are clearly betting on global demand for specific electronics. This suggests they’ve negotiated better pricing with manufacturers like Intel, Samsung, and Google—savings they’re passing along to drive early holiday traffic.
The Smart Shopper’s Playbook
So should you buy now or wait? Here’s how to approach these early deals strategically:
- Check historical pricing: Use price tracking tools to see if the current $199.99 or $349.99 price points represent genuine lows or just modest discounts
- Understand return policies: Some retailers now offer price protection through December, allowing you to buy early without risking missing later discounts
- Watch inventory levels: Products with the deepest early discounts often have limited quantities—if something shows “low stock,” it might not last until November
The Smart Platform integration across many of these discounted devices means you’re not just buying hardware—you’re buying into an ecosystem. Before committing to a discounted smart TV or laptop, consider whether the platform (whether it’s Google, Samsung, or another) matches your existing devices and preferences.
The bottom line:
This year’s early Black Friday deals represent a fundamental shift in holiday shopping strategy. Retailers are testing whether spreading out discounts reduces logistical nightmares while maintaining sales volume. For shoppers, this means you can secure major electronics purchases now without gambling on November availability.
The specific discounts on the F35 Series TV and Lenovo IdeaPad suggest these are the product categories where retailers have the most flexibility—and where you’ll likely see the most competitive pricing throughout the season. Whether you’re shopping in the United States or across Europe, the message is clear: the Black Friday season now starts in October, and the savviest shoppers are already making their moves.
If you’re interested in related developments, explore our articles on Why Best Buy’s Early Black Friday Deals Just Changed Holiday Shopping and Why Best Buy’s Early Black Friday Deals Are Perfect for Budget Shoppers.
