Black Friday 2015

In United States tradition, Black Friday falls the day after Thanksgiving. It marks the start of Christmas shopping. Black Friday originally meant nothing to do with shopping. It first appeared as a reference to the 1869 financial crisis caused by investors trying to manipulate gold prices. That led to a market crash and many people were broke.

 

In the 1950s, police in Philadelphia called the chaos caused by large crowds shopping after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. Traffic jams and shoplifting spiked as people poured into stores. Merchants in Philadelphia tried unsuccessfully to change the name to "Big Friday," but the negative connotation was retained.

 

The Shift to Retail

 

In the late 1980s, retailers began promoting Black Friday as a positive shopping day. They said it happened when stores went from losing money to making a profit. This narrative changed how people saw Black Friday. Major crowds started to shop at big discounts on electronics and appliances.

 

Black Friday eventually became a major shopping day. Stores began opening earlier, even on Thanksgiving Day. Such was the trend that some called it "Black Thursday." Some shoppers now expect early morning deals and special promotions.

 

Online Shopping Boom

 

In recent years, Black Friday has moved away from in-store shopping to online sales. People shop online more for convenience. In 2020, online sales on Black Friday surpassed physical stores for the first time. The retailers adapted by extending sales beyond one day - creating what some call Black November. This change gives customers deals throughout the month.

 

E-commerce has made Black Friday more accessible to shoppers who might otherwise avoid crowded stores. That means some retailers are now focusing on both in-store and online promotions during this busy shopping season.