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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 marked by massive discounts, exclusive deals, and frenzied sales. It traditionally falls on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, kicking off the holiday shopping season.
The shopping spectacle has become a cornerstone of Thanksgiving traditions. It holds immense 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 crucial period that generates nearly 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 roll out deep discounts and special promotions across a vast array of products, drawing crowds of enthusiastic shoppers eager to snag the best deals and kick off the holiday shopping season in style.
In recent years, it has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon, embraced by retailers and consumers alike for its unbeatable offers on everything from electronics to fashion, beauty products, and beyond but how did it originate, let’s find out:
Origins of Black Friday
The Name: Why “Black Friday”?
The term “Black Friday” has historical roots dating back to the mid-20th century. Originally, it wasn’t associated with shopping but rather chaos:
- Traffic Jams in Philadelphia (1960s)Police in Philadelphia first used the term to describe the post-Thanksgiving chaos when massive crowds descended upon the city for holiday shopping and an annual Army-Navy football game. The resulting traffic jams and strained law enforcement led to the unflattering moniker “Black Friday.”
- Retail Transformation (1980s)Retailers later reclaimed the term, associating it with profitability. Traditionally, businesses operated “in the red” (indicating losses) through much of the year. The heavy sales on the Friday after Thanksgiving pushed their accounts “into the black” (indicating profit), leading to the more positive association we recognize today.
How Did Black Friday Become a Shopping Tradition?
The Post-Thanksgiving Connection:
Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the U.S., has long been a family-centric holiday. The following Friday became an unofficial holiday for many workers, making it an ideal day for retailers to attract shoppers with enticing deals.
Retail Promotions:
By the 1980s and 1990s, major retailers like 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 propelled Black Friday beyond U.S. borders. Retailers worldwide, 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 expanded far beyond a single 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 stretch their sales across several days or even the entire month of November.
International Celebrations: Countries like Canada, the UK, and even India have embraced the tradition, with local adaptations to attract shoppers.
The Impact of Black Friday
For Consumers:
Black Friday offers an opportunity to purchase high-value items like electronics, appliances, and luxury goods at significant discounts. It has become synonymous with deal-hunting and pre-holiday gifting.
For Businesses:
It’s a critical revenue period. Many retailers earn 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 racing for deals.
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 bargain. Whether you’re planning to shop in-store or online, Black Friday remains a day to watch for incredible deals and to reflect on how our shopping habits shape economies and cultures worldwide.
