What is Black Friday and Its History – Origins, Meaning & Facts (2025)
Black Friday is one of the most anticipated shopping events worldwide, marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Known for its massive discounts, exclusive deals, and long queues, Black Friday has become a cultural and commercial phenomenon. In this article, we explore what Black Friday is, its origin, history, evolution, and significance in today’s world.
📌 What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Friday of November. It is widely recognized as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. On this day, retailers offer major discounts, promotional deals, and limited-time offers both in-store and online.
✔ The term “Black Friday” refers to the day when retailers’ accounts turned “in the black”, meaning profitable, as opposed to “in the red,” which indicates loss.
✔ Over the years, Black Friday has grown from a U.S.-specific tradition to a global shopping event, with countries around the world participating in discounts and sales.
📌 Origin and Meaning of Black Friday
The history of Black Friday is both economic and cultural:
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1960s – Philadelphia, USA:
The term “Black Friday” was first used by the Philadelphia Police Department to describe the heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic that occurred the day after Thanksgiving. The large crowds of shoppers created chaos in the city, making it a challenging day for law enforcement. -
1980s – Retailers Rebrand the Term:
Retailers adopted a positive spin on the term, linking it to profitability and sales success. This helped popularize Black Friday as a major shopping holiday, turning it into a nationwide phenomenon. -
Global Adoption:
Black Friday spread to countries outside the U.S., including Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia, and more, especially with the rise of e-commerce platforms like Amazon.
📌 Black Friday Timeline – How It Evolved
✅1920s-1950s: Early post-Thanksgiving sales with seasonal discounts.
✅1960s: Philadelphia police coined the term “Black Friday” due to traffic and chaos.
✅1970s: Retailers nationwide started recognizing the day as a big shopping day.
✅1980s-1990s: Marketing campaigns turned Black Friday into a profit-focused shopping event.
✅2000s-Present: Online shopping boom expanded Black Friday globally, leading to Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday.
📌 Black Friday vs Cyber Monday
✔ Black Friday: Primarily in-store shopping, occurs the day after Thanksgiving, offers both in-store and online deals.
✔ Cyber Monday: Focused on online shopping, occurs on the Monday after Thanksgiving, known for digital deals and e-commerce discounts.
Both days now overlap, with many retailers offering extended sales throughout the weekend.
📌 Cultural and Economic Significance
Black Friday is more than just shopping; it has economic and social implications:
✔ Retail Revenue: Retailers earn a substantial portion of annual revenue during Black Friday.
✔ Consumer Behavior: Shoppers plan months in advance, creating a shopping culture around deals.
✔ Global Influence: Countries outside the U.S. have adopted Black Friday as a major sales event, especially online.
✔ E-commerce Growth: Platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart have popularized online Black Friday shopping globally.
📌 Tips for Smart Black Friday Shopping
✔ Make a list of products you want to buy.
✔ Compare prices online before the day of the sale.
✔ Set a budget to avoid overspending.
✔ Use apps and coupons for additional discounts.
✔ Shop early online to avoid stock shortages.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
✔ When is Black Friday celebrated?
Black Friday is observed on the fourth Friday of November, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States.
✔ Why is it called Black Friday?
Originally, the term described chaotic traffic in Philadelphia. Later, retailers associated it with profitability as sales pushed businesses “in the black.”
✔ How did Black Friday start?
It started in the 1960s in Philadelphia, later becoming a national shopping tradition in the U.S. and eventually a global phenomenon.
✔ What is the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday focuses on in-store and online deals, while Cyber Monday is solely online, emphasizing e-commerce discounts.
✔ Is Black Friday celebrated worldwide?
Yes, many countries now participate, especially online, including Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, and more.
📌 Summary
Black Friday is now a global retail and cultural event, starting in the U.S. as a post-Thanksgiving shopping day and evolving into a multi-billion-dollar phenomenon. From crowded store aisles to online mega sales, Black Friday continues to shape consumer behavior, retail strategies, and e-commerce trends worldwide.
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