Target 'Black Friday Now' deals: Series of weekly sales will run throughout November amid COVID-19

Target's Black Friday 2020 will be a series of week-long sales throughout November, instead of the traditional short holiday shopping extravaganza.

The retailer unveiled more details of its plans Thursday, along with some of the deals to help shoppers plan for "a safe, stress-free shopping experience" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Christina Hennington, Target's executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, said in a news release that the retailer was taking a "completely new approach to Black Friday" to give shoppers more flexibility.

"By offering a preview of our 'Black Friday Now' deals for the entire month of November and extending our Price Match Guarantee, we're taking the guesswork out of holiday shopping and making Target the easiest place to get the best deals," Hennington said.

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Other retailers including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's and Sam's Club have shared previews of their deals, and how they will handle sales at a time when they are trying to spread out demand and reduce crowds. Best Buy also released its Black Friday ad Thursday.

Target Black Friday Now weekly deals

Target says this year "nearly all" of the "Black Friday Now" deals will be available for an entire week, both in stores and online. Contactless, same-day Drive Up and Order Pickup services are available for orders on either platform, or can be received via same-day delivery with Shipt. Here's a preview of the month of offers:

• Nov. 1-7: Target’s first sales week will include “must-have deals” on electronics like Beats Studio 3 headphones for $174.99 instead of $349.99 regular price. There will be three-day deals from Nov. 6-8 with a TCL 65-inch 4K UHD HDR Android Smart TV for $229.99. It’s regularly $399.99.

• Nov. 8-14: Deals on “kitchen favorites and floorcare.”

• Nov. 15-21: Deals on the season’s “hottest electronics, apparel and beauty products.”

• Nov. 22-28: Deals on toys, kitchen, floorcare and electronics, including video games and select consoles.

Target will post the specific "Black Friday Now" deals on its digital weekly ad each Thursday prior to the items going on sale on Sunday.

More Drive Up spots, safety measures

Target started talking about a different holiday shopping season in July when officials announced stores would be closed this Thanksgiving for the first time since 2011.

Last week, Target said stores were adapting new measures to make it easier for holiday shoppers to safely shop for gifts. Among the advances is an update to the Target mobile app's Wallet payment option so it can be used to checkout in a contactless manner, bypassing a scanning device.

Target is making it easier for customers to use its Drive Up service by letting shoppers show their app through the car window to get purchases they have made online.

The total number of Drive Up spots will be expanded by nearly 8,000 spaces nationwide, providing more spots for drivers to pull up and have purchases brought to their cars. Shoppers also can change their order using Order Pickup or Drive Up even after getting to the store.

Shoppers can also check on Target.com/line to see whether there's a line at their local store before heading out. If so, they can make a reservation and get a text message when they can enter the store.

Target price match guarantee

Target is extending its Price Match Guarantee from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24. As part of that program, Target will match select competitors' prices within 14 days of the purchase, and get a price adjustment for any item advertised as a “Black Friday deal” at Target or Target.com, if it is offered for a lower price at the store or online.

Target also will match its own prices on other purchases if they are found for a lower price within 14 days of a purchase.

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Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Target Black Friday 2020: Sale starts Nov. 1 with deals on electronics