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Whether you're a dedicated deal-hunting warrior or you try to avoid the crowds entirely, around this time of year, it's hard to not hear about the shopping frenzy known as Black Friday. From some history on the event to how to handle it and more, read on! (See also: 3 Ways to Beat Holiday Shopping Stress)
When Is Black Friday?
The busiest shopping day of the year traditionally takes place on the day after Thanksgiving, although longer shopping days and earlier store hours have now taken the one day holiday into the Thanksgiving zone. Some stores are now set to open as early as 11:59 p.m. on turkey day itself, and Black Friday-like sales can be found happening online beginning November 1st. A few select stores have also dabbled in replacing the annoying Christmas in July marketing strategies with their own misplaced Black Friday promotions, which have appeared throughout the calendar year.The purists, however, still claim that there is one day (the Friday right after Thanksgiving), and anything else is just a marketing ploy.
Why It's Called Black Friday
Investopedia (and most everyone else) credits the dark name to the fact that stores are likely to turn profitable for the first time on this shopping holiday, and that their business ledgers would actually see their numbers go from red (indicating a fiscal loss) to black. Others (specifically, anti-commercialism groups) have more recently taken some of the most newsworthy incidents that have occurred on the holiday (store tramplings or robberies, for example) and have assigned new meaning to the black portion of the term.
Deals Offered on Black Friday
In addition to door buster deals, which claim to offer shoppers up to 60% off popular items like TVs, toys, and clothing, there are special promotional perks, such as in-store refreshments and giveaways. Many who participate, however, just like the rush of the deal, waiting in line, and communing with other deal-seekers.
Wise Bread has covered the topic of Black Friday and its deals extensively over the years, including articles such as Black Friday Tips From Money-Saving Experts, 5 Things YouShouldn't Buy This Black Friday, and 6 Ways to Spend Black Friday at Home.
Black Friday Facts
In addition to the essentials of how and why, I thought it would be fun to share a few random facts about the shopping holiday.
If you are not already tired of hearing about this years Black Friday event, chances are good that you will be.The hyped-up holiday, however, is an important part of many stores annual budget, and cash-strapped shoppers will always be looking to take advantage of the deals.
Will you venture out this year?
ShareThisWritten by Linsey Knerl and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.6 Ways to Spend Black Friday at Home
Black Friday Tips From Money-Saving Experts
Black Friday...black in more ways than one
Black Friday Deals: A Sneak Peek
5 Things You Shouldn't Buy This Black Friday
