Every year, millions of shoppers swarm stores and websites on the day after Thanksgiving, seeking the best deals of the season. But have you ever wondered how this retail tradition came to be called ‘Black Friday’?
The Origins of Black Friday: A Brief History
The term “Black Friday” originated in Philadelphia during the 1950s and 1960s, when local police officers coined the phrase to describe the rowdy tourists and chaos that ensued the day after Thanksgiving. Heavy traffic, overcrowding, and increased shoplifting incidents, coupled with the Army-Navy football game, led to a day of dread for law enforcement. Officers, unable to take the day off, referred to the day negatively as “Black Friday” because of the strain it put on their resources. 🚨
The Initial Chaos: Traffic, Crowds, and Shoplifting
In the 1950s and 1960s, Philadelphia was a hub of activity on the day after Thanksgiving. The Army-Navy football game, which was held annually on this day, attracted large crowds to the city. Additionally, hordes of shoppers flooded into the city’s shopping districts, seeking to take advantage of early holiday deals. The resulting chaos – traffic jams, overcrowded sidewalks, and increased shoplifting incidents – made for a stressful and overwhelming experience for local police officers.
An Attempt to Rebrand: The “Big Friday” Era
In an attempt to shed its negative connotations, Philadelphia retailers tried rebranding the day as “Big Friday.” However, the effort was unsuccessful. The term “Black Friday” had already taken hold, and the negative associations it carried proved difficult to shake. Despite this, retailers continued to use the term, albeit with a new spin.
A Shift in Meaning: From Chaos to Profit
By the 1980s, the term “Black Friday” took on a more positive meaning. Businesses began using it to describe the day their finances shifted “into the black”—indicating a move from loss to profit thanks to a surge in sales. This new meaning reflected the significant economic impact that Black Friday had on retailers, who saw a substantial increase in sales on this day.
The Modern Era of Black Friday
Today, Black Friday is a major shopping event, with retailers offering significant discounts and promotions both online and in-store. The day has become a major driver of sales, with many retailers relying on Black Friday to get their finances “in the black” for the year. In recent years, Black Friday has expanded beyond physical stores, with online retailers like Amazon and Walmart offering their own Black Friday deals.
When is Black Friday 2024?
Each year, Black Friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving, which means some of the best deals and sales ahead of the holidays will be on Friday, November 29, 2024. Mark your calendars, shoppers!
The Appeal of Black Friday
So, what’s the appeal of Black Friday? For many shoppers, it’s the opportunity to snag great deals on holiday gifts and other items. For retailers, it’s a chance to boost sales and get a head start on the holiday shopping season. Whatever the reason, Black Friday has become an integral part of American retail culture.
From Chaos to Commerce: The Evolution of Black Friday
Black Friday has come a long way from its origins as a chaotic and stressful day for Philadelphia police officers. Today, it’s a major shopping event that kicks off the holiday season. Love it or hate it, Black Friday is here to stay – and it’s an integral part of our retail landscape.
The Bottom Line: Black Friday by the Numbers
In 2020, Black Friday sales reached an all-time high of $9 billion, with online sales accounting for a significant portion of that total. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Black Friday is a major driver of sales and a key part of the holiday shopping season.
In the end, Black Friday is more than just a day of deals and discounts – it’s a reflection of our culture’s love of commerce and consumerism. Love it or hate it, Black Friday is an integral part of our retail landscape, and it’s here to stay.
Related to Black Friday:
