Whether you're a dedicated deal-hunting warrior or you try to avoid the crowds entirely, around this time of year, it's hard to not hear about the shopping frenzy known as Black Friday. From some history on the event to how to handle it and more, read on! (See also: 3 Ways to Beat Holiday Shopping Stress)
The “busiest shopping day of the year” traditionally takes place on the day after Thanksgiving, although longer shopping days and earlier store hours have now taken the one day holiday into the “Thanksgiving zone.” Some stores are now set to open as early as 11:59 p.m. on turkey day itself, and Black Friday-like sales can be found happening online beginning November 1st. A few select stores have also dabbled in replacing the annoying “Christmas in July” marketing strategies with their own misplaced “Black Friday” promotions, which have appeared throughout the calendar year. The purists, however, still claim that there is one day (the Friday right after Thanksgiving), and anything else is just a marketing ploy.
Investopedia (and most everyone else) credits the dark name to the fact that stores are likely to turn profitable for the first time on this shopping holiday, and that their business ledgers would actually see their numbers go from “red” (indicating a fiscal loss) to “black.” Others (specifically, anti-commercialism groups) have more recently taken some of the most newsworthy incidents that have occurred on the holiday (store tramplings or robberies, for example) and have assigned new meaning to the “black” portion of the term.
In addition to “door buster deals,” which claim to offer shoppers up to 60% off popular items like TVs, toys, and clothing, there are special promotional perks, such as in-store refreshments and giveaways. Many who participate, however, just like the rush of the deal, waiting in line, and communing with other deal-seekers.
Wise Bread has covered the topic of Black Friday and its deals extensively over the years, including articles such as Black Friday Tips From Money-Saving Experts, 5 Things You Shouldn't Buy This Black Friday, and 6 Ways to Spend Black Friday at Home.
In addition to the essentials of how and why, I thought it would be fun to share a few random facts about the shopping holiday.
If you are not already tired of hearing about this year’s “Black Friday” event, chances are good that you will be. The hyped-up holiday, however, is an important part of many stores’ annual budget, and cash-strapped shoppers will always be looking to take advantage of the deals.
Will you venture out this year?
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That's a scary picture...
Let's just say I'm looking forward to Cyber Monday. Black Friday flashbacks are too traumatic.
Agreed! But I don't like hanging out in crowds anyway...being in a crowd of people who are all trying to rush to great deals before they sell out just sounds awful, personally.
This is one of the first years that mobile phone apps will come in great handy to those who love black friday deals, but hate the mob scene at the mall. The smart thing to do is to sit back and check your favorite stores sites for deals, and do your purchasing on the internet. Problem solved! No stores, crowds, or moms fighting over the very last game on the shelf. Skip the headache and download an app that will alert you when items on your wish list are at their lowest prices.
Black Friday is a scary prospect to me. I think I love a good night's sleep too much to be shopping by 4:00am. :)