Black Friday (shopping)

Gray Thursday KF Walmart

Black Friday 2015 Cerdanyola

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2008-08-28 Black Friday shoppers at Wal-Mart

Black Friday is an informal name for the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The day marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, with retailers offering substantial discounts on various goods to encourage sales. Over the years, Black Friday has become synonymous with large crowds, early store openings, and significant sales, making it one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

History

The term "Black Friday" originally referred to the financial crisis of 1869, which was unrelated to the shopping holiday. The modern usage of the term began in the 1960s in Philadelphia, where it was used by police to describe the heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. The name was later adopted by retailers, transforming its negative connotations into a positive indication of turning a profit, or moving from "the red" into "the black" in accounting terms.

Traditions

Black Friday has evolved into a global phenomenon, with many countries around the world participating in the tradition, even if they do not celebrate Thanksgiving. Retailers often open their stores in the early hours of the morning and may even start their sales at midnight. In recent years, the trend of opening stores on Thanksgiving Day itself has emerged, sparking debate over the encroachment of commercial activity into the holiday.

Online shopping has also become a significant aspect of Black Friday, with Cyber Monday being created as a follow-up event to encourage online sales. This shift has led to a week-long or even month-long series of sales and promotions, often referred to as "Black November."

Impact

The impact of Black Friday is multifaceted. Economically, it can be a boon for retailers, helping to increase sales and profits significantly. However, it has also been criticized for promoting consumerism, unnecessary spending, and environmental waste. The day has been marked by incidents of violence and chaos in some instances, as shoppers compete for limited deals.

Controversies

Black Friday has faced criticism for various reasons, including its impact on workers who are required to work long hours, often on Thanksgiving Day itself, and the environmental impact of increased consumption. There have also been calls for boycotts and the promotion of more sustainable and ethical consumption practices, such as Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday, which encourage supporting local businesses and charitable giving, respectively.

See Also

• Cyber Monday
• Small Business Saturday
• Giving Tuesday
• Boxing Day sales

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