Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, the official beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On Black Friday, stores offer extremely deep discounts on items, and shoppers usually line up very early in the morning to take advantage of these deals. Some stores open late on Thanksgiving night so shoppers can get a head start on Black Friday.
History of Black Friday
The history of Black Friday actually dates all the way back to the 1800s. That’s when retailers began using the phrase to describe the chaotic scene that would ensue on the day after Thanksgiving when hordes of people would descend upon stores in an attempt to snag the best deals on holiday gifts.
The term “Black Friday” didn’t become widely used until the mid-1960s, though, and it didn’t take on its negative connotations until much later. In fact, for many years, Black Friday was seen as a positive event by both retailers and consumers alike. It was a time when people could get a jump start on their holiday shopping and snag some great deals in the process.
But over time, as crowds grew larger and more aggressive, and as retailers began offering increasingly steep discounts, Black Friday began to lose its luster. These days, it’s more often seen as a chaotic and stressful event than a fun or festive one.
Black Friday in the present day
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is a busy shopping day and many retailers offer promotional sales. Black Friday has been considered the start of the Christmas shopping season since 1952, although the term “Black Friday” did not become widely used until more recent decades.
While most major retailers open very early, some (such as Kohl’s, JCPenney, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Shopko, and Target) open around midnight on Thanksgiving Day instead of Black Friday.
In 2014, a National Retail Federation survey found that 42% of respondents planned to shop on Black Friday, slightly less than the 43% who said they planned to do so in 2013.
Nevertheless, about two-thirds of respondents said that their main reason for shopping over Black Friday weekend was because discounts were too good to pass up.
How to make the most of Black Friday
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, and it marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, retailers offer deep discounts on items to lure shoppers into their stores. Black Friday has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and it’s a great time to score deals on items you need for Christmas.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of Black Friday:
- Get there early: The best deals usually go fast, so it’s important to get to the store early. Many retailers open their doors as early as 5 am on Black Friday.
- Make a list: It can be overwhelming trying to navigate a store on Black Friday. Make sure you know what you’re looking for before you head out, and make a list of the items you need to buy. This will help you stay focused and save time.
- Bring help: If possible, bring a friend or family member with you to help carry all your purchases. This will also help prevent you from getting lost in the crowd.
- Take advantage of online deals: Many retailers offer deals online as well as in their stores. If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, take advantage of these online deals.
- Be patient: With so many people out shopping on Black Friday, things can get hectic. Be patient with other shoppers and with store employees who are helping customers.
