Black Friday Sales 2021: Store, Mall Hours In Illinois

ILLINOIS — Last year, the coronavirus pandemic changed Black Friday as Americans knew it. Retailers in Illinois cut back hours or moved sales online to avoid large crowds in stores.

Black Friday falls on Nov. 26 this year. Millions of Americans are now vaccinated against the coronavirus, which means many die-hard shoppers are planning a return to Black Friday normalcy.

Not so fast, some experts say.

While coronavirus may not be top of mind as Americans hit the lines outside their favorite retailers, the ongoing global supply chain issues could take a huge bite out of their Black Friday fun.

Thanks to supply chain issues, many popular holiday gifts will be in short supply or more expensive than usual. While sales might be starting sooner this year, shoppers might not see the steep discounts they’re used to on Black Friday, CBS News reported citing Consumer Reports. The problem could be worse for new or in-demand products such as high-tech toys.

Still, some shoppers aren’t likely to miss out on their favorite holiday tradition.

As you plan this year’s Black Friday itinerary, you’ll want to know when malls are open. Most Chicago-area malls are closed for Thanksgiving, but many have extended Black Friday hours.

• Orland Square Mall: Closed Thanksgiving, open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Chicago Premium Outlets, Aurora: Closed Thanksgiving, open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Water Tower Place, Chicago: Closed Thanksgiving, open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Gurnee Mills: Closed Thanksgiving, open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook: Closed Thanksgiving, open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Northbrook Court: Closed Thanksgiving, open 9 a.m. Black Friday
• Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg: Closed Thanksgiving, open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Louis Joliet Mall: Closed Thanksgiving, open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Chicago Ridge Mall: Closed Thanksgiving, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Fox Valley Mall: Closed Thanksgiving, open 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• The Promenade Bolingbrook: Closed Thanksgiving, open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Black Friday
• The Shops at North Bridge, Chicago: Closed Thanksgiving, open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Spring Hill Mall, Dundee: Closed Thanksgiving, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Geneva Commons: Closed Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours TBD
• Yorktown Shopping Center: Closed Thanksgiving, open 9 p.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Fashion Outlets, Rosemont: Closed Thanksgiving, open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie: Closed Thanksgiving, open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Hawthorn Mall, Vernon Hills: Closed Thanksgiving, open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• The Arboretum, South Barrington: Closed Thanksgiving, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Black Friday

A recent survey by Gallup found Americans plan to spend an average of $837 on gifts this season, up just slightly from the $805 they estimated they would spend last year.

Both pandemic-era estimates are lower than what Gallup found in the preceding few years, including the record-high $942 recorded in 2019.

Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation is predicting holiday spending this year has the potential to shatter previous records. The organization has predicted holiday sales will increase between 8.5 percent and 10.5 percent over 2020, meaning shoppers intend to spend about $859 billion.

If you are planning to shop in person, here are this year’s Black Friday store hours, according to BlackFriday.com, TheBlackFriday.com and Good Housekeeping; however, Patch encourages calling ahead to confirm exact hours with your specific location:

• Academy Sports + Outdoors: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Black Friday
• Ace Hardware: Closed Thanksgiving; Black Friday hours vary by franchise
• Apple: Closed Thanksgiving; open regular hours on Black Friday
• Ann Taylor: Closed Thanksgiving; check mall for Black Friday hours
• Ashley HomeStore: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Black Friday
• Banana Republic: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• Barnes & Noble: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• Bass Pro Shops: Open 9 a.m. Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday
• Bath & Body Works: Closed on Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Bed Bath & Beyond: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Belk: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. Black Friday
• Best Buy: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Black Friday
• Big Lots: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Burlington: Closed Thanksgiving; Black Friday hours vary by location
• Cabela’s: Open 8 a.m. Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday
• Costco: Closed Thanksgiving; open 9 a.m. Black Friday
• CVS: Most locations open Thanksgiving; open regular hours Black Friday
• Dick's Sporting Goods: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday
• Dillard’s: Closed Thanksgiving; open 9 a.m. Black Friday
• Dollar General: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. Black Friday
• DSW: Closed Thanksgiving; Black Friday hours vary by location
• Family Dollar: Open 8 a.m. Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• Five Below: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• Fleet Farm: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday
• GameStop: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. Black Friday
• Gap: Closed Thanksgiving; some stores open 7 a.m. Black Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours
• Harbor Freight Tools: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. Black Friday
• Hobby Lobby: Closed Thanksgiving; open regular hours Black Friday
• Home Depot: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Home Goods: Closed Thanksgiving; open regular hours Black Friday
• Ikea: Closed Thanksgiving; open regular hours Black Friday
• JCPenney: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday
• Joann Fabrics: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Kmart: Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Kohl’s: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday
• Lowe’s: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Macy’s: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Marshalls: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• Menards: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Michaels: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. Black Friday
• Nordstrom: Closed Thanksgiving; open 9 a.m. Black Friday
• Office Depot and OfficeMax: Closed Thanksgiving; open 9 a.m. Black Friday
• Old Navy: Closed Thanksgiving; open 12 a.m. Black Friday
• Petco: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• PetSmart: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• Sam’s Club: Closed Thanksgiving; open regular hours Black Friday
• Sears: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Sephora: Closed Thanksgiving; check mall hours for Black Friday
• Sportsman’s Warehouse: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Staples: Closed Thanksgiving; open 9 a.m. Black Friday
• Target: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. Black Friday
• TJ Maxx: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday
• Tractor Supply Co.: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Ulta: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. Black Friday
• Victoria’s Secret: Closed Thanksgiving; check mall hours for Black Friday
• Walmart: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday

To avoid overspending on holiday gifts, it’s important to make a list, set a budget and stick to it. Also, know your shopping triggers. For example, many people can’t resist a sale. But not all bargains are created equal, and shoppers should be wary of the “buy more, save more” types of deals.

“You think you are getting a better value when you see $10 off $50 or $20 off $50, but it’s the same percent discount, so don’t let that discount claim make you spend more,” consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch told CNBC.

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