Black Friday refers to the Friday immediately after the U.S. holiday Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November). It marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the United States. On this day, retailers — both brick-and-mortar stores and online shops — offer heavy discounts, door-buster deals, and promotional offers to lure in customers.
Over time, Black Friday has become more than just one day — it now kicks off a multi-week (or even month-long) shopping period across many countries, thanks to online shopping and globalization of retail practices.
Origins: Where Does the Name “Black Friday” Come From?
The term “Black Friday” has a few origin stories — some myth, some fact. The two most accepted explanations are:
- Crowd chaos in Philadelphia (1960s): In the early 1960s, police in Philadelphia reportedly coined the term “Black Friday” to describe the chaotic traffic, massive crowds, accidents, and general disorder on the day after Thanksgiving, as suburban shoppers flooded the city.
- From “red” losses to “black” profits (1980s): By the 1980s, retailers re-framed Black Friday to reflect a positive meaning: in accounting records, losses are shown in red ink and profits in black. The heavy holiday shopping was said to push many stores from loss (red) to profit (black).
According to trusted sources, the police/crowd-chaos origin is more historically accurate.
Evolution — From Local Chaos to Global Shopping Phenomenon
1960s–1970s: Local (Philadelphia-centric) Usage
During the 1960s and 70s, “Black Friday” was mostly a local term referring to the congestion and disorder after Thanksgiving in Philadelphia. It wasn’t a celebrated retail holiday — rather, a day hated by police, bus drivers, and traffic cops.
Retailers even tried to rebrand it as “Big Friday” — but the name “Black Friday” stuck.
1980s–1990s: Retailers Re-brand & Create Holiday Shopping Moment
In the 1980s, major retail chains and media began re-interpreting Black Friday — focusing on shopping, deals, and holiday spirit rather than chaos. The narrative of stores going “into the black” resonated, and more retailers joined in, offering discounts to kick-start holiday season sales.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Black Friday had become a national phenomenon in the U.S., with stores opening early (sometimes overnight), offering “door-buster” deals, and many shoppers planning their holiday purchases around that day.
2000s–2020s: Global Spread & Online Shopping Boom
With globalization and rise of e-commerce, Black Friday began spreading beyond the U.S. Countries across Europe, Asia, and elsewhere adopted “Black Friday sales” — even without Thanksgiving, retailers capitalized on the “discount culture.”
Online platforms amplified the reach: people could shop from anywhere, deals lasted longer, and the concept evolved to include “Cyber Monday” (the Monday after Black Friday) for online-only deals.
Today, Black Friday is a global retail event — celebrated in many countries with deep discounts on electronics, home goods, fashion, and more.
Why Black Friday Matters — For Retailers, Shoppers, Economy
Retailers & Businesses: Big Boost for Revenue
For many retailers, the holiday season (starting with Black Friday) accounts for a substantial portion of their annual sales. The surge in demand helps them clear inventory, attract new customers, and improve yearly profits.
It’s a critical period — promotional strategies, stocking, marketing, and staffing are planned around Black Friday to capitalize on consumer frenzy.
Shoppers: Discounts, Convenience & Early Holiday Shopping
From a shopper’s perspective, Black Friday offers an opportunity to get major discounts — on electronics, home appliances, gifts, clothes — often at prices much lower than rest of the year. This makes it ideal for holiday shopping, gifting season, or purchasing expensive items affordably.
With online sales and global reach, even consumers outside the U.S. get Black Friday deals — widening access and making it more than just an American phenomenon.
Economic & Cultural Impact
Black Friday has reshaped retail culture — changing how people view shopping holidays, consumption patterns, and even global retail calendars. It sets the tone for the holiday shopping season worldwide.
In many places, it also drives online shopping, digital payments, e-commerce growth — contributing to modern retail economics and consumer behavior trends.
Controversies, Criticism & Changing Perspectives
Black Friday success hasn’t come without downsides. Over time, several issues and critical perspectives have emerged:
Over-consumption & Environmental Concerns
Heavy discounting encourages mass consumption — often leading to over-buying, impulse purchases, waste, and excessive packaging. Critics argue that promoting such consumerism annually contributes to unsustainable consumption and environmental harm.
Worker Pressure, Labor Concerns & Stress
Retail staff — both in physical stores and warehouses for online shopping — face immense pressure. Long hours, crowded workplaces, shipping deadlines, and high demand make it a stressful period for workers. Some calls have been made for better working conditions.
De-normalization & Alternative Movements
Because of growing awareness on consumerism’s impact — social, environmental, personal finances — alternatives like “Buy Nothing Day” (a day after Black Friday to promote minimal consumption) have emerged.
Also, some retailers and consumers are shifting focus to sustainable shopping, quality over discounts, or spreading purchases over time rather than lumping them all into one sale event.
Black Friday Around the World — Adoption & Adaptation
Although Black Friday started in the U.S., its model and appeal have led to global adoption:
- Retailers in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere have embraced the Black Friday sale format — sometimes combined with local festivals or shopping traditions.
- Online platforms (global e-commerce marketplaces) have made Black Friday deals accessible worldwide — enabling customers from many countries to benefit, even if they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.
- The traditional one-day sale has expanded into multi-week or month-long discount seasons — including pre-Black Friday deals, Black Friday weekend, Cyber Monday, and post-Black Friday sales.
Black Friday Today — What Happens on Black Friday 2025 and Beyond
Each year, Black Friday evolves with consumer trends, retail technology, and shifting shopping behaviours. As recently as 2025, retailers prepare well in advance — both online and offline — with marketing campaigns, early access deals, loyalty programs, and special discounts to capture attention.
For many, Black Friday is now the main event of the holiday shopping season — with people waiting for weeks, comparing deals, stacking wishlists — making it a major cultural and economic moment on the calendar.
However, some consumers are also getting more strategic: focusing on budget, sustainability, need-based purchase vs impulse buys, and leveraging online tools to track fair prices.
Tips for Smart & Responsible Black Friday Shopping
If you’re planning to shop on Black Friday or during the extended sale period, here are some guidelines to make the most of it — while staying smart and responsible:
- Make a list & set a budget — avoid impulsive purchases; know what you actually need before getting swayed by heavy discounts.
- Compare & research — check original prices, compare with other stores or past deals to ensure the discount is real.
- Shop early / track deals — sometimes deals start before official Black Friday; track prices to avoid “fake discounts.”
- Prioritize quality & need over hype — discounts are attractive, but buying items you don’t need adds to waste and expense.
- Consider environmental impact / sustainability — avoid over-packaging, bulk-buying unneeded items; reuse or choose durable products.
- Be aware of scams & over-promised deals — especially online; buy from trusted platforms, check return policies, reviews, and security.
Why Black Friday Will Likely Stay — And How It Might Evolve
Given its success, Black Friday is unlikely to disappear. Instead, it will continue evolving:
- More online & hybrid sales — e-commerce and hybrid retail (online + offline) will strengthen, expanding reach globally.
- Global localisation — countries worldwide will adapt Black Friday to local contexts, festivals, currencies, and consumer habits.
- Ethical / sustainable shopping trends may grow — as consumers become more conscious, there might be a shift toward mindful shopping even during sale seasons.
- Extended sale periods over one-day events — with deals starting earlier, lasting longer, and offering variety — spreading demand and reducing chaotic rush.
Ultimately, Black Friday may become more than just a sale day — but a marker of changing retail culture, consumer behaviour, and global commerce dynamics.
Conclusion
Black Friday — from its chaotic origins in Philadelphia traffic jams to becoming one of the biggest global shopping phenomena — tells a story of commerce, culture, and consumerism evolving over decades.
What started as a post-holiday rush and a headache for police officers has transformed into a retail institution that influences economies, consumer habits, and global shopping calendars. For shoppers, it offers bargains and convenience; for retailers, a vital season for revenue; for global commerce — a symbol of globalization and retail innovation.
But it also raises important questions about over-consumption, sustainability, and responsible shopping. As Black Friday continues to expand and shape retail behaviours, buyers and sellers alike must balance the thrill of deals with mindful consumption.
Whether you’re hunting for a bargain or simply curious about why so many shops suddenly slash prices — Black Friday is more than just a sale. It’s a phenomenon reflecting how modern retail, global markets, and everyday lives have intertwined.
FAQs
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S., widely regarded as the start of the holiday-season shopping rush, with retailers offering deep discounts and sales.
Why is it called “Black Friday”?
Originally, the name came from police in Philadelphia in the 1960s to describe the chaos — traffic jams and overcrowded stores — the day after Thanksgiving. Over time, retailers reinterpreted it as the day their financial ledgers go “from red to black,” meaning losses to profits.
When does Black Friday happen?
It occurs the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving — that is, the fourth Thursday of November.
Is Black Friday only about in-store shopping?
No — with growth of e-commerce, many online retailers also offer deep discounts on Black Friday. It’s now both an in-store and online shopping event.
Do Black Friday discounts always mean big savings?
Not always — some “deals” may just be marketing tactics. It’s wise to compare prices before and after to ensure you’re getting a real bargain.
Has Black Friday become global?
Yes — though it started in the U.S., many retailers worldwide now observe Black Friday sales, even where Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated, turning it into a global retail phenomenon.
Related Blog: Black Friday 2025 Sale Roundup
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