The Origins of the Term “Black Friday”
The term “Black Friday” has a fascinating and somewhat complex history, evolving over time to take on different meanings. Its earliest known usage dates back to the 1950s in Philadelphia, where local police officers used it to describe the overwhelming crowds and chaos that occurred on the day after Thanksgiving.
During this time, large numbers of shoppers and tourists would flood the city in preparation for the annual Army-Navy football game, which was traditionally held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The influx of visitors caused severe traffic congestion, overcrowded streets, and a surge in shoplifting and other petty crimes, all of which placed an enormous burden on law enforcement. Frustrated police officers, who had to work long hours to manage the mayhem, began referring to the day as “Black Friday” as a way to express their displeasure with the situation.
While this negative connotation persisted locally for some time, retailers eventually saw an opportunity to reframe the term in a more positive light. By the 1980s, a new explanation for “Black Friday” emerged, linking it to financial prosperity. According to this reinterpretation, the day marked the point in the year when retailers moved from operating “in the red” (losing money) to being “in the black” (turning a profit), thanks to the surge in holiday shopping. This version of the story helped solidify “Black Friday” as the official start of the holiday shopping season, leading to the massive sales events we see today.
Over the years, Black Friday has grown into a global phenomenon, with retailers across the world adopting the tradition of offering deep discounts and special promotions to attract customers. It has also expanded beyond just one day, with many stores launching deals earlier in November and extending them through Cyber Monday and beyond.
The Evolution of Black Friday as a Shopping Event
Although the term “Black Friday” initially carried a negative connotation, retailers saw an opportunity to reshape its meaning and turn it into something positive. The phrase was originally used by police officers in Philadelphia during the 1950s and 1960s to describe the chaos that ensued the day after Thanksgiving. Large crowds of shoppers flooded the city, causing traffic jams, long lines, and an increased need for law enforcement.
However, by the 1980s, businesses had begun to redefine “Black Friday” as a major shopping event. Retailers capitalized on the growing consumer culture and used the day to kick off the holiday shopping season with massive discounts and special promotions. The term took on a more optimistic meaning—referring to the point when stores moved “into the black,” meaning they became profitable, as opposed to being “in the red,” which signified financial losses. This new narrative helped to establish Black Friday as one of the most significant retail days of the year.
Over the years, Black Friday has continued to evolve, expanding beyond brick-and-mortar stores into online retail. The rise of e-commerce has given birth to related shopping events like Cyber Monday, which caters to digital shoppers looking for deals. Additionally, many retailers now extend their sales for several days or even weeks, creating what is often referred to as “Black Friday Week.” Despite criticisms over excessive consumerism and chaotic shopping behaviors, the event remains a highly anticipated occasion for both businesses and consumers worldwide.
Black Friday Becomes a Nationwide Phenomenon
By the 2000s, Black Friday had firmly established itself as the biggest shopping day of the year in the United States, marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers capitalized on the growing consumer enthusiasm by extending their store hours, initially opening earlier in the morning and eventually transitioning to midnight openings. As competition among businesses intensified, some major retailers took it a step further by launching sales events on Thanksgiving Day itself, blurring the line between the holiday and the shopping frenzy.
The event became synonymous with massive crowds, long lines stretching outside stores hours before doors opened, and highly sought-after “doorbuster” deals—deeply discounted items designed to draw customers into stores. Over the years, news reports frequently captured chaotic scenes, including customers camping out overnight, frenzied rushes into stores, and even occasional stampedes as shoppers scrambled to secure limited-quantity bargains.
As online shopping grew in popularity, retailers began offering Black Friday discounts not only in physical stores but also through e-commerce platforms. This shift allowed consumers to access deals from the comfort of their homes, reducing some of the in-store chaos while further cementing Black Friday as a nationwide—and eventually global—retail phenomenon.
The Global Spread of Black Friday
With the rise of e-commerce and globalization, Black Friday has expanded beyond the United States and become a worldwide shopping event. Originally an American tradition marking the start of the holiday shopping season after Thanksgiving, Black Friday has now been embraced by many countries across the globe.
International retailers and online marketplaces have capitalized on this trend, offering significant discounts and promotions to attract shoppers. Major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay play a crucial role in making Black Friday deals accessible to consumers in different regions. As a result, shoppers from Europe, Latin America, Asia, and other parts of the world eagerly anticipate the event, often planning their purchases in advance to take advantage of the limited-time offers.
In some countries, Black Friday has been adapted to fit local shopping traditions. For instance, China has developed “Singles’ Day” on November 11, which has surpassed Black Friday in terms of online sales volume. In the United Kingdom and Canada, post-holiday sales like “Boxing Day” continue to be popular, yet Black Friday has gained traction as retailers seek to boost year-end revenue. Other nations, such as Brazil, Mexico, and India, have incorporated Black Friday-style discounts into their own retail calendars, often adjusting them to align with local holidays and shopping behaviors.
The global adoption of Black Friday highlights the increasing influence of consumer culture and digital commerce. While some critics argue that the event promotes overconsumption and excessive spending, others see it as an opportunity for consumers to purchase products at lower prices, benefiting both shoppers and businesses. As technology continues to connect global markets, Black Friday’s influence is likely to grow, shaping the future of retail worldwide.
The Digital Shift: Cyber Monday and Beyond
As online shopping gained traction, retailers sought ways to capitalize on the growing e-commerce trend. This led to the introduction of Cyber Monday in 2005—a dedicated online shopping event that takes place on the Monday following Black Friday. Initially conceived as a way to encourage consumers to shop online, Cyber Monday quickly gained popularity, becoming one of the most significant days for digital retail sales worldwide.
Over time, the landscape of holiday shopping has evolved dramatically. While Black Friday was traditionally a single day of doorbuster deals at brick-and-mortar stores, it has gradually expanded into a weeks-long shopping season. Retailers now roll out discounts earlier in November and extend them well beyond Thanksgiving weekend, blurring the lines between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and general holiday sales.
The rise of e-commerce giants like Amazon, Walmart, and other major online retailers has further accelerated this shift. These companies leverage advanced algorithms, flash sales, and personalized marketing to keep consumers engaged for extended periods. In many cases, online sales now rival or even surpass in-store promotions, as shoppers prioritize convenience, fast shipping, and a broader range of product availability.
Additionally, the advent of mobile shopping, digital payment solutions, and AI-driven recommendations has transformed the way people engage with holiday sales. Consumers can now browse and purchase items instantly from their smartphones, making Cyber Monday and the entire holiday shopping period more accessible than ever.
As the digital marketplace continues to evolve, it is clear that Cyber Monday is no longer just a single day—it represents the broader shift toward a digital-first retail experience. With innovations such as augmented reality shopping, voice commerce, and same-day delivery, the future of holiday sales will likely be driven by technology, further redefining the way consumers shop in the years to come.
Conclusion
From its chaotic beginnings in Philadelphia to its transformation into a global shopping tradition, Black Friday has come a long way. While its history is rooted in both frustration and opportunity, today it stands as a highly anticipated event for consumers and businesses alike. Whether shopping online or in stores, millions of people participate in Black Friday every year, making it one of the most significant retail events worldwide.
