About Black Friday
Black Friday, the day immediately following Thanksgiving in the United States, is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and one of the busiest retail days of the year. Originally known for enormous crowds lining up before dawn at brick-and-mortar stores, Black Friday has evolved significantly in the digital era — with many deals beginning online days before and online shopping volumes now rivaling or surpassing in-store sales. Retailers offer steep discounts on electronics, clothing, appliances, and toys, attracting tens of millions of shoppers. The day marks the shift from holiday preparation into the final stretch of festive buying before Christmas.
History & Origins
The term "Black Friday" was first used by Philadelphia police in the 1960s to describe the chaotic day after Thanksgiving when enormous crowds of shoppers and tourists flooded the city. The name was later popularly reinterpreted as the day retailers moved from operating "in the red" to "in the black" — meaning profitability — though this explanation is largely a retroactive myth. By the 1980s, Black Friday had spread nationally. In 2005, Cyber Monday was created as its digital counterpart, and in the 2010s, retailers began pushing "Black Friday" deals earlier into November and even October.
Common Traditions
- ▸Shopping early-morning or overnight sales at major retail stores
- ▸Browsing and purchasing deals online from home
- ▸Planning purchases ahead of time by reviewing deal announcements
- ▸Buying holiday gifts in bulk while prices are at their lowest
- ▸Comparing prices across retailers using apps and browser extensions
- ▸Creating and sharing shopping lists with family to coordinate gift purchases