Each year, Black Friday appears as a shopping craze the day after Thanksgiving, the cherished American holiday where families gather to express gratitude around a table loaded with traditional treats, including the iconic roast turkey.
Black Friday: Celebrating the Christmas Shopping Season with Unmissable Deals
In the United States, the Black Friday sale starts in the Christmas shopping season, with numerous stores and attracts customers with discounts and promotions.
Origins of Black Friday:
Its first use dates back to September 1869, when it was employed to describe the unscrupulous actions of American Wall Street financiers Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, who attempted to manipulate the gold market for personal gain.
The Gold Market Crash: A Black Friday for Wall Street
Gould and Fisk's audacious plan to corner the gold market ultimately backfired, leaving them unable to sell the gold at the inflated prices they had anticipated. Their financial manoeuvre was exposed on September 24, 1869, triggering a rapid decline in the stock market and causing widespread financial ruin, affecting individuals ranging from wealthy Wall Street tycoons to ordinary citizens.
Black Friday: From Urban Chaos to Retail Frenzy
The term "Black Friday" is also attributed to the early 1960s when Philadelphia police officers grappled with the overwhelming inflow of suburban shoppers heading to the city for holiday shopping. The huge crowds and resulting congestion caused significant challenges for the Philadelphia police force, who were forced to extend their shifts to manage traffic accidents, and lifting incidents, and maintain public order.
It wasn't until the late 1980s that the history of retailers transitioning from operating at a loss to turning a profit, or "going from red to black," earned widespread traction, according to Britannica.
Black Friday's Global Reach: A Retail Sensation Beyond the US
Black Friday's appeal extends outside the edges of the United States, captivating shoppers worldwide. According to a digital analytics and SEO marketing firm, over 10 countries assume the annual shopping festival, eagerly welcoming the deals and promotions. This global sensation contains a wide range of nations, including Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.