If you’re perpetually online, you already know what day it is—it’s Black Friday. When opening any shopping website, the words scream out different colors of discounts.
The reality of Black Friday: Origins, Deals, and Changing Trends: Black Friday is marked every year on the fourth Friday of November, the day after Thanksgiving. It is synonymous with frantic shoppers, crowded stores, millions of online orders, and the satisfaction of snagging a good deal. But how did Black Friday come about, and is it still an unmatched shopping event?
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The Surprising Origin of Black Friday
The term “Black Friday” was minted in 1869, but not for holiday shopping. It originally referred to financial chaos when two Wall Street speculators caused a gold market crash, leading to an economic slump.
Its association with shopping emerged in the 1950s in the United States. After Thanksgiving, stores were flooded with shoppers, resulting in endless queues, traffic jams, and shoplifting. Police officers started calling the chaotic day “Black Friday.”
Retailers later attempted to rebrand it as “Big Friday,” but the original term stuck. By the 1980s, businesses spun a new narrative: Black Friday was the day retailers transitioned from financial losses (in the red) to profits (in the black). While this story was fabricated, it resonated with consumers and transformed Black Friday into a retail spectacle.
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The Evolution of Black Friday
For years, “Black Friday meant camping outside stores and braving crowded aisles for steep discounts.” The shift to online shopping made the experience more convenient but equally intense. With deals flashing on screens, customers could hit “checkout” faster than ever.
The allure of discounts drives behavior, even when logic says otherwise. Does humanity need another air fryer? Maybe not. But if it’s 40% cheaper, resisting is hard.
Are Black Friday Deals Truly Worth It?
Unfortunately, many Black Friday deals are not what they seem. Studies show that 30% of discounts are artificially inflated. Prices are raised beforehand to create the illusion of a significant markdown.
- Headphones: Prices increase by 21% before Black Friday.
- Watches: Marked up by 15%.
- Laptops: Face a 16% price hike.
Shoppers often believe they’re snagging unbeatable deals, but closer inspection might reveal otherwise.
Black Friday’s Diminished Exclusivity
Technology has altered shopping habits. What was once a yearly splurge has become a weekly or monthly one, driven by fast fashion and e-commerce convenience.
Retailers now extend Black Friday sales over weeks, diluting its exclusivity. Add year-round discounts for every festival or occasion, and Black Friday becomes another sale.
A New Trend: Rejecting Consumerism
The conversation around overconsumption has sparked movements like “Buy Nothing Day,” a rejection of consumer culture. Critics argue that the endless push to shop fuels waste and environmental harm.
So, you can take your pick—dive into the deals, embrace mindful spending, or treat Black Friday as just another Friday. In a world saturated with instant gratification, stepping back from the frenzy might be the steal.
