Black Friday Overview
Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and traditionally marks the launch of the Christmas shopping season. It is the busiest shopping day in the country, with many stores offering heavily discounted sales and opening early, sometimes even at midnight or on Thanksgiving Day.
Extended Sales Period
Some retailers extend their sales beyond Black Friday, continuing through Cyber Monday or throughout an entire Cyber Week.
Historical Origins of "Black Friday"
The term "Black Friday" has evolved significantly. Initially, it described disastrous events like the financial crisis of 1869 when gold prices dramatically dropped, impacting investors.
In retail, the term appeared around the 1950s, first referring to workforce absenteeism after Thanksgiving, before Philadelphia police used it to describe the heavy shopping traffic and congestion.
Rebranding Attempts and Modern Meaning
Efforts to rename the day as "Big Friday" were unsuccessful. By the 1980s, "Black Friday" became linked with retailers moving from losses ("in the red") to profits ("in the black"), highlighting its significance as a profitable start to the holiday shopping season.
"Black Friday" refers to the pivotal point where retailers purportedly shifted from loss ("in the red") to profit ("in the black").
Significance in Retail
Black Friday remains the most active shopping day in the United States, with retailers placing great emphasis on it and Cyber Monday to maximize profits during the holiday period.
Author's summary: Black Friday, originating from various historical meanings, now signifies the busiest, most profitable shopping day in the U.S., launching the holiday retail season with major discounts and extended sales.