Black Friday is a day known for people camping out in parking lots, braving early-morning lines, and racing through aisles in search of the ultimate deal (although online shopping has changed it a lot in the past few years). But before Black Friday became the shopping extravaganza we know today, it had a whole other life. For most of us, the term brings up images of doorbusters and discounts, but its beginnings weren’t exactly about scoring a TV for half price. Over the years, Black Friday has transformed dramatically, going from something negative to a holiday season highlight for consumers.
I remember being curious about how it all started; why call it “Black Friday” anyway? So, I looked into it and found a surprising amount of history tied up in this one day. From chaotic Philadelphia streets to a financial crash to retail profits, the story of Black Friday is as complex as it is fascinating.
So, let’s get into the history behind those long lines and crazy deals. Here are 12 interesting facts about Black Friday’s journey from financial jargon to retail celebration.
1. Philadelphia Police First Used the Term
In the 1950s, Philadelphia police officers began calling the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” to describe the traffic nightmare. Every year, shoppers and tourists would flood the city for holiday sales and the Army-Navy football game, creating bumper-to-bumper traffic and an overwhelming amount of work for the police.
For these officers, Black Friday was less about sales and more about crowd control. The term stuck, and while it wasn’t exactly flattering, it captured the chaos that followed Thanksgiving every year.
2. Retailers Embraced Black Friday in the 1980s
By the 1980s, retailers had fully leaned into the idea of Black Friday as a day for shopping. They started promoting it heavily, using it as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Deals, discounts, and early openings became part of the strategy.
Turning Black Friday into a shopping holiday wasn’t just good for businesses, it was great for shoppers too. With more stores competing for sales, deals became more enticing each year, making Black Friday what it is today.
3. Black Friday Isn’t Just an American Thing Anymore
Although Black Friday started in the U.S., other countries have since caught on to the hype. Places like Canada, the UK, and even Brazil now hold Black Friday sales. Even though they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, the appeal of big discounts transcends borders.
This global spread shows how Black Friday has become a full-blown phenomenon, largely thanks to online shopping, which makes it easy for international retailers to join the fun.
4. The Birth of Cyber Monday
As online shopping grew, retailers wanted a way to keep the Black Friday excitement going into the workweek. Thus, Cyber Monday was born in 2005 as a day for online deals. It quickly caught on, and now it rivals Black Friday in sales.
Cyber Monday became the online version of Black Friday, giving people a chance to shop from their couches instead of standing in line. For those who hate the in-store rush, Cyber Monday is a welcome alternative.
5. Black Friday is Still the Busiest Shopping Day
Despite the rise of online shopping and Cyber Monday, Black Friday remains the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S. The National Retail Federation reports that millions of people still prefer heading to the stores.
For some, it’s not just about the deals but the experience; the tradition of going out with family and friends to hunt for bargains has become a holiday ritual in its own right.
6. Shoppers Have Been Known to Camp Out for Days
For some dedicated deal hunters, Black Friday is a marathon, not a sprint. Every year, people camp out in front of stores, sometimes for days, to secure the best spot in line. It’s like a Black Friday tailgate, complete with tents, chairs, and even heaters.
Camping out has become part of the Black Friday tradition, especially for shoppers who see the day as a mix of fun, adventure, and, of course, saving money.
7. Thanksgiving Shopping Gave Birth to “Gray Thursday”
With Black Friday creeping into Thanksgiving Day, some people have started calling it “Gray Thursday.” Stores now open as early as Thursday afternoon, turning what was once a quiet holiday into a shopping event.
While some love the extra shopping hours, others feel it takes away from family time, sparking debate over whether Black Friday is becoming too intrusive.
8. “Doorbusters” Became a Black Friday Staple
The concept of “doorbusters”, super-discounted items available in limited quantities, has become a signature of Black Friday. These deals often create a rush, with shoppers sprinting through doors to grab their must-have items.
Doorbusters add an element of excitement and urgency to Black Friday, turning it into a race against the clock for those who crave a good deal.
9. Black Friday Boosts the Economy
Black Friday isn’t just a win for shoppers; it’s huge for the economy, too. Each year, it generates billions of dollars in sales, providing a major boost to the retail sector and influencing everything from store hiring to supply chains.
For many retailers, a successful Black Friday is crucial for a profitable holiday season, making it one of the most important dates on the calendar.
10. Environmental Costs of Black Friday
While Black Friday may be great for sales, it also has an environmental impact. The increased demand for products results in higher production, shipping, and waste, as many purchases are impulse buys that eventually end up in landfills.
This downside has sparked a growing movement toward sustainable shopping, with some consumers choosing quality over quantity, even on Black Friday.
11. Black Friday’s Digital Boom
While Black Friday began as an in-store event, it has now expanded into the digital world. Online Black Friday sales are huge, with websites offering exclusive deals and preparing for traffic spikes.
This shift shows how shopping habits have evolved with the internet, making it possible to score Black Friday deals without leaving home, sometimes all month long.
12. Small Business Saturday Follows Black Friday
In response to Black Friday’s focus on big-box stores, Small Business Saturday, held the day after Black Friday, was introduced in 2010 to support local businesses. It encourages shoppers to “shop small” and support their communities.
Small Business Saturday has become its own tradition, reminding shoppers that holiday spending doesn’t have to be limited to big retailers.
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With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
