Each year, the day after Thanksgiving signals the start of the holiday shopping season in the United States. For many, it’s a time of celebration, family, and food—but for shoppers and retailers alike, it’s also a day of frenzied bargains, packed stores, and jaw-dropping discounts. Black Friday, which once existed solely as a brick-and-mortar shopping event, has evolved into a global retail phenomenon that now spans weeks, stretches across borders, and mixes in with online shopping events. It’s a day (and now a season) when consumerism and discount-hunting collide in a spectacular way. But what’s the real story behind this day, and why has it become so ingrained in modern shopping culture?
The Origins of Black Friday
Black Friday’s name, which now invokes images of long lines, doorbuster deals, and extreme consumer behavior, actually has a practical origin. The term “Black Friday” was first used by police officers in Philadelphia in the 1960s. It referred to the chaos that ensued when massive crowds swarmed the city for the annual Army-Navy football game and the pre-Christmas shopping season. The term was used negatively to describe the headaches law enforcement faced trying to manage the crowd.
However, retailers later turned the meaning of “Black Friday” into a positive. In accounting terms, businesses traditionally operated in the “red” (losing money) for most of the year and only turned a profit—or “went into the black”—around the holiday season. Retailers soon embraced the term, aligning it with their surge in sales and the official start of the holiday shopping rush. Over time, Black Friday evolved into the biggest shopping day of the year, both in the United States and, increasingly, in other parts of the world.
The Evolution of Black Friday
What started as a one-day event is now more akin to a retail season. Black Friday weekend has expanded well beyond Friday itself, with deals starting earlier and earlier each year, sometimes even spilling into Thanksgiving Day itself. This shift to a longer period of discounts reflects both consumer demand and the growing influence of online shopping. In fact, online shopping has radically reshaped Black Friday over the past decade.
In the early days, Black Friday was mostly about in-person shopping at local stores. Massive crowds would descend on shopping malls, elbowing their way through aisles to grab deeply discounted items. Stores would offer doorbuster deals, such as $100 laptops or heavily discounted electronics, often in limited quantities. These deals were designed to draw in customers in the hopes that they would also pick up full-priced items during their shopping spree.
Today, Black Friday has evolved to encompass much more than just in-store discounts. The rise of online shopping, particularly after the introduction of “Cyber Monday,” has made it possible for people to shop from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the crush of crowds and long checkout lines. Many retailers now launch their Black Friday deals well before the official date, offering “pre-Black Friday” sales or extended promotions that last all month. And with the advent of global e-commerce platforms like Amazon, the phenomenon has spread worldwide, making Black Friday a global shopping event.
The Psychology Behind Black Friday
What makes Black Friday so alluring to shoppers? It’s not just the deeply discounted prices—though that certainly plays a big part. There are psychological factors at work that make Black Friday irresistible. For one, the sense of urgency is a powerful motivator. Many deals are time-limited or available in limited quantities, which creates a feeling of scarcity and drives customers to act quickly. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a potent emotion that compels shoppers to grab deals before they disappear, even if the items aren’t necessarily things they need.
Additionally, Black Friday has become a social event for many. For some families, shopping together on Black Friday is a tradition, a way to bond over finding great deals. In an era of increasing digital shopping, the experience of hunting for bargains in person, sometimes with friends or family members, can feel like a festive activity. The hunt for a bargain, coupled with the adrenaline rush of finding a great deal, is its own kind of thrill. Some shoppers even report feeling a sense of euphoria, or what is sometimes referred to as “retail therapy,” during Black Friday shopping.
The Impact on Retailers
For businesses, Black Friday represents a crucial opportunity to boost sales. It can make or break a retailer’s year, with many companies depending on the holiday season to recoup losses from earlier in the year. This explains why retailers go to such great lengths to offer irresistible deals and promotions.
In recent years, brick-and-mortar stores have had to adapt to the rise of e-commerce. Many now offer online ordering with in-store pickup to combine the convenience of online shopping with the tactile experience of in-store shopping. Some even offer price matching or exclusive online discounts to keep pace with the digital shopping boom.
Another trend that has emerged is the shift toward more “sustainable” Black Friday practices. Environmental concerns have prompted some retailers to promote eco-friendly shopping or to forgo Black Friday promotions altogether in favor of encouraging people to buy fewer, higher-quality items.
The Future of Black Friday
As we move further into the digital age, it’s clear that Black Friday will continue to evolve. The lines between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other shopping events are becoming increasingly blurred, with many retailers offering discounts throughout the entire month of November. The rise of “Black Friday” deals in other countries shows that this shopping event isn’t just a U.S. tradition anymore—it’s become a worldwide phenomenon.
For shoppers, the challenge will be to navigate the overwhelming amount of deals and discounts without falling into the trap of mindless consumption. While Black Friday offers significant savings, it’s important to remain mindful of spending and to remember that not every “deal” is a genuine bargain.
Whether you love the excitement of in-store shopping or prefer the convenience of online deals, Black Friday has become a key part of the holiday season, setting the tone for a month of consumerism. It’s a reflection of our cultural values: the thrill of the chase, the desire for great deals, and the importance of holiday gifting. For many, Black Friday isn’t just a day on the calendar—it’s a symbol of the start of the most festive time of the year.