Black Friday has evolved from a chaotic shopping day in Philadelphia to a global retail event.
Black Friday falls on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Black Friday is a globally recognized shopping extravaganza featuring massive discounts, exclusive deals, and great sales. It traditionally falls on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, which kicks off the holiday shopping season.
The shopping spree has become a cornerstone of Thanksgiving traditions. It holds huge significance for retailers, consistently ranking as one of the busiest and most profitable shopping days of the year. This event often sets the stage for the holiday season, a critical period that generates about 20% of annual retail sales.
In 2024, Black Friday falls on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. On this day, retailers offer deep discounts and special promotions on a wide array of products, attracting crowds of eager shoppers eager to grab the best deals and kick off the holiday shopping season in style. are
In recent years, it has become a global trend, embraced by retailers and consumers alike for unbeatable offers on everything from electronics to fashion, beauty products and beyond. Find out:
The Origins of Black Friday
Name: Why “Black Friday”?
The historical roots of the term “Black Friday” date back to the mid-20th century. Actually, it wasn’t about shopping but chaos:
- Traffic Jam in Philadelphia (1960)Police in Philadelphia first used the term to describe the post-Thanksgiving chaos when large crowds descended on the city for holiday shopping and the annual Army-Navy football game. This resulted in the silly moniker of “Black Friday” due to traffic jams and law enforcement tensions.
- The Retail Transformation (1980)Retailers later reclaimed the term, associating it with profit. Traditionally, businesses operated “in the red” (indicating losses) for most of the year. Heavy selling on the Friday after Thanksgiving pushed their accounts into the “black” (indicating a profit), leading to a more positive association than we recognize today.
How did Black Friday become a shopping tradition?
Post-Thanksgiving Relation:
Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the US, Thanksgiving has long been a family-oriented holiday. The following Friday became an unofficial holiday for many workers, making it a perfect day for retailers to entice shoppers with enticing deals.
Retail Promotions:
By the 1980s and 1990s, major retailers such as Macy’s, Walmart, and Best Buy began offering doorbuster deals and early morning openings. These practices quickly cemented Black Friday as the ultimate shopping day.
Global expansion:
Over the past two decades, the Internet and globalization have pushed Black Friday beyond American borders. Retailers around the world, from the UK to India, now offer Black Friday sales, tailoring the event to local markets.
Black Friday today
In its modern form, Black Friday has extended beyond one day:
Cyber Monday: The Monday following Black Friday focuses on online shopping deals, catering to the growing preference for digital retail.
Black Friday Week/Month: Many brands extend their sales over several days or the entire month of November.
International Events: Countries like Canada, UK and even India have adopted this tradition with local adaptations to attract buyers.
The Black Friday Effect
For users:
Black Friday offers an opportunity to buy high-value items such as electronics, appliances, and luxury items at significant discounts. It has become synonymous with deal hunting and pre-holiday gift giving.
For business:
This is an important income period. Many retailers make a substantial portion of their annual profits during the Black Friday season.
Cultural Influence:
The event has become a spectacle, with midnight openings, long queues, and even viral videos of shoppers vying for bargains.
Black Friday has evolved from a chaotic shopping day in Philadelphia to a global retail event. It’s a testament to the power of marketing, the allure of discounts, and the universal love for a good deal. Whether you’re planning to shop in-store or online, Black Friday is a day to look for incredible deals and reflect on how our shopping habits shape economies and cultures around the world.