13 Offbeat Facts About Black Friday
It’s that wild time of year when deals drop, chaos erupts, and shoppers race against the clock. Yes, Black Friday is almost here! Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, that kick starts the holiday shopping season. People line up in queues, sometimes as early as midnight, outside retail stores that offer heavy discounts. However, Black Friday is much more than just hot deals and midnight queues.
From its unusual name to surprising histories and bizarre trends, Black Friday has evolved into a global shopping event. If you’re ready to dive into the madness, let’s have a look at the history of black friday and 13 odd facts about Black Friday you might not know.
Why Is It Called Black Friday?
Black Friday’s name has nothing to do with the Christmas spirit, jingles, or holiday cheer. Historically, the name goes on to refer to economic stress, financial crisis, stock market crashes and recession. Though, there is a more accepted origin of the name.
Black Friday is so named by retailers to mark the shift in their accounts from ‘in the red’ (a loss) to ‘in the black’ (a profit). This financial milestone marked a profitable shopping season and cemented the day’s place in retail history. However, this story of the origin of the Black Friday is a lie.
The dark history of Black Friday and how it got its name has roots far darker than a shopping frenzy. It is believed that the phrase originated in the 1960s in Philadelphia, where police began to dread the day after Thanksgiving due to an influx of shoppers and tourists. The huge crowd caused heavy traffic, accidents and, unfortunately, frequent incidents of shoplifting.
This often meant that the police had to work longer shifts and the chaos was simply a cause of headache. So, the police dubbed the chaotic day “Black Friday” because of the mayhem it brought to the streets.
The term “Black Friday” didn’t become widely associated with a positive boost in retail sales until the late 1980s, when retailers began promoting the red-to-black profit story. Now, it’s the ultimate sale season.
Now that we know a little more about Black Friday history, let’s get into the facts around it.
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13 Odd facts About Black Friday You Didn’t Know
Besides being one of the busiest shopping periods of the year offering great deals, there are more interesting things about the holiday. Let’s have a look at 13 of the most interesting and weird facts about black friday.
1. Black Friday was once called “Big Friday”
At one point, some retailers and newspapers attempted to rebrand Black Friday as “Big Friday” to avoid the negative connotations associated with the term. However, the name Black Friday ultimately stuck.
2. Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for plumbers
Due to Thanksgiving feasts, plumbing systems get overwhelmed with all the extra cooking, and food scraps. Additionally, more guests in the house also leads to clogs and other plumbing issues. This surge in plumbing calls has even earned it the nickname “Brown Friday” in the industry.
3. In Mexico, Black Friday is called “El Buen Fin,” which means “the good weekend”
El Buen Fin is a Mexican shopping holiday that lasts for four days starting from Friday to Monday. Like Black Friday, there are crazy discounts, marking one of the most important commercial events in Mexico.
They celebrate this day before the Mexican Revolution Day in November.
4. Black Friday is not the biggest shopping day worldwide
While it’s the biggest in the U.S., China’s Singles Day on November 11 holds the record globally. According to Forbes, Singles’ Day is the world’s largest shopping day, and is bigger than Black Friday and Amazon’s Prime Day combined.
In 2021 alone, Singles Day topped over $84 billion in sales, compared to the U.S.’s $9 billion on Black Friday and $10.8 billion on Cyber Monday.
5. Black Friday can turn out to be really violent
The chaos that comes along with the bargain hunters can become really gruesome. Black Friday is notorious for its brawls and people get really crazy over hot items leading to violence on black friday.
Statistics suggest that hundreds of people have gotten injured in the last 2 decades and around 11 deaths were also reported.
6. Some Retailers use psychological tricks on Black Friday
The “sale” signs and discounts aren’t always genuine. In some cases, stores slightly raise prices before the holiday season. The stores then “drop” the prices back on Black Friday, making shoppers think they’re getting a better deal.
According to research, Black Friday deals are nothing but an illusion. The best way to navigate this is to track the prices of things using tracking sites like CamelCamelCamel to see the price history of products.
7. Cyber Monday was born because of Black Friday
Cyber Monday was coined in 2005 as an online alternative for those who didn’t want to brave the Friday crowds. It was created by the National Retail Federation so people could continue shopping online at work on the Monday after Black Friday to help small businesses.
Today, Cyber Monday has become a popular holiday to buy gadgets, tech, and electronics. It is also the biggest online shopping day of the year.
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8. Black Friday has now become a global phenomenon
Black Friday has spread to over 15 countries like the UK, Brazil, India and even South Africa, with each country adding its own twist. The day led to major losses for Canadian retailers as many fled to the States for their holiday haul. This forced them to their own Black Friday deals.
In France, for example, Black Friday goes by “Vendredi Noir,” but not all retailers are thrilled due to its American roots.
9. 12% of the Black Friday shoppers are drunk
Believe it or not, an estimated 12% of Black Friday shoppers are actually drunk while shopping according to a survey by the coupon site RetailMeNot. Maybe it’s just the post-Thanksgiving celebration or they need a little liquid courage to face the chaos. Nonetheless this can often lead to some…let’s say, interesting if not funny purchasing decisions.
10. Christmas sales are bigger than Black Friday deals
If you compare black friday vs christmas sale, surprisingly, Christmas discounts often beat Black Friday prices, especially for clothing and holiday items. Data suggests that the Saturday before Christmas is the biggest shopping day for many shops in the U.S.
According to a study, the average discount on Black Friday is around 5% whereas the average discount near Christmas is around 17.5%.
Although not as famous as Black Friday, People have started calling this day as Super Saturday.
11. Walmart broke the Black Friday tradition by opening up on Thanksgiving evening.
In 2011, Walmart shook up the Black Friday tradition by opening its doors on Thanksgiving evening, jumpstarting the shopping rush a day early. This move set a trend among major retailers and a race to compete who opens their doors first.
This turned Thanksgiving night into a shopping event and extended Black Friday into a two-day retail marathon. This is known as Gray Thursday.
12. Saturday deals after Black Friday exist too
If you miss Black Friday, don’t worry. Retailers have extended their deals to the Saturday after Black Friday, giving you more time to snag a deal. Some stores even continue through the weekend and into Cyber Monday.
13. Before shopping, the day was marked by Santa Claus parades
Before Black Friday became synonymous with shopping, the day was celebrated with Santa Claus parades marking the start of the holiday season. The tradition originated in Canada in 1905 and quickly spread over the U.S.
These parades, like the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, were originally intended to welcome Santa Claus to town and signal the beginning of holiday festivities and gift-giving.
Did you know: The term Black Friday isn’t just about shopping! In Australia, Black Friday also refers to a tragic day in 1939 when a devastating fire swept through Victoria destroying millions of acres. This disaster is known as the Black Friday Bushfire, marking one of the darkest days in Australian history
Are Black Friday Deals Worth It?
Black Friday deals are tempting, but whether they’re worth the effort depends on what you’re looking to buy. The sales are great and the prices are at their lowest, but not every Black Friday bargain is the best option.
If the madness is worth the hassle for you then here’s a closer look at the types of deals that are good things about black friday:
- Electronics and gadgets: Black Friday is a prime time for electronics, with major discounts on TVs, smartphones, and laptops. Retail stores and online platforms go head-to-head to offer the best deals, especially for popular brands.
- Clothing: If you’re updating your wardrobe, Black Friday’s discounts on clothing are often worth it. Many brands offer discounts that beat their usual sales, making this the perfect time to buy gifts or winter wear.
- Home Appliances: Black Friday deals on appliances like refrigerators, washers, and other home essentials can be substantial. They’re often discounted more heavily than any other time of year.
Some of the best things to buy on Cyber Monday include:
- Tech gadgets (smartphones, tablets, headphones)
- Smart home devices (like Alexa, Google Home)
- Fashion and accessories
- Beauty products and subscription services
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Wondering how much discount do you get on Black Friday? Deals can vary widely depending on the retailer and product category, but discounts typically range from 20% to as much as 70% off. Though some believe that Black Friday is bad for the economy, waiting for Cyber Monday or post-holiday sales can save money and stress.
Whether it’s worth it not largely depends on your priorities. If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt and aren’t worried about a little crowd, the shopping might be worth it. But if the thought of packed stores has you hesitating, you’re not alone.
Black Friday has a bizarre history and these facts about black friday make the holiday all the more interesting. Whether you love shopping for hot deals or like to steer clear from the madness, Black Friday will continue to be a day of fascinating contradictions and a remarkable retail phenomenon.
Share this Black Friday article with friends and family to help them get ready for the biggest shopping day of the year!
FAQs
Black Friday deals traditionally begin the day after Thanksgiving, but many retailers now start promotions earlier, sometimes as early as the beginning of November. In recent years, major stores have extended deals throughout “Black November,” offering special discounts both in-store and online. Additionally, some retailers even open their doors on Thanksgiving evening to kick off the sales frenzy early. However, the best discounts typically peak on Black Friday itself.
Black Friday is often worth the wait, especially for big-ticket items like electronics, appliances and apparel as they tend to have the steepest discounts. Many consumers save for this day to take advantage of the significant markdowns that are rarely seen at other times of the year. The event can be intense. However if you’re seeking serious discounts then Black Friday offers some of the year’s best deals, making the wait worthwhile for many shoppers.
