The History and Importance of Black Friday

The History and Importance of Black Friday

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has been a shopping tradition for Americans for generations. But what is Black Friday, and why is it so important? Let’s take a look at the history and significance of this annual event.

The History and Importance of Black Friday

The History and Importance of Black Friday

The tradition of Black Friday started in the United States, but its roots are a bit murky. Some say that it originated with Philadelphia police officers in the 1950s. At that time, crowds of shoppers and tourists would descend on the city the day after Thanksgiving, causing traffic congestion and general mayhem. The police officers called it “Black Friday” because it was such a headache.

Others say that the term “Black Friday” has a more positive origin. In the early 2000s, retailers began using it to describe the day after Thanksgiving because it was one of the busiest shopping days of the year. merchants hoped that by calling it Black Friday, they could get shoppers to spend more money.

Whatever its origins, Black Friday has become an important day for businesses, both small and large. It’s a chance for retailers to boost their sales and make up for any losses they suffered earlier in the year. For consumers, it’s a chance to snag some great deals on holiday gifts.

So how important is Black Friday to businesses? It can be make-or-break time. According to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States. In 2018, an estimated 134 million people shopped on Black Friday, spending a total of $6.2 billion.

For some businesses, Black Friday is their biggest sales day of the year. Others use it as a chance to clear out inventory before the end of the year. Either way, it’s a day that can have a big impact on a company’s bottom line.

So there you have it: everything you need to know about Black Friday. Whether you’re braving the crowds or staying home, we hope you have a happy and safe holiday season!

Some Form of Black Friday Has Been Around for Well Over 100 Years

It’s hard to believe, but Black Friday as we know it has been around for over 100 years. The tradition began with retailers sponsoring Thanksgiving parades in the late 1800s. At the end of the parade, the stores would open their doors and begin the holiday shopping season.

While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact year this tradition began, by the beginning of the 20th century, it was common for retailers to start their holiday sales as soon as Thanksgiving ended. Over the years, Black Friday has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year, as shoppers look for great deals on gifts for their loved ones.

So next time you’re out braving the crowds on Black Friday, remember that you’re taking part in a time-honored tradition that has been around for centuries.

Black Friday Really Got Going in the 1940s

Thanksgiving used to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. But when a five-Thursday November rolled around in 1939, business leaders asked President Franklin D. Roosevelt to move the holiday back a week so the holiday shopping season could start earlier.† Roosevelt agreed and, after several years of confusion, Americans settled in to celebrating Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November, ensuring retailers can always start their holiday sales before December.

The term “Black Friday” wasn’t coined until the 1950s, but the tradition of retailers offering deep discounts on this day dates back to the 1940s. (It’s also worth noting that some historians believe “Black Friday” has a more negative origin story, referring to the heavy traffic and chaos that descends on cities the day after Thanksgiving.)

In any case, by the 1960s Black Friday had become firmly entrenched as the official start of the holiday shopping season. And it has only grown in popularity since then, with more and more retailers offering ever-more enticing deals to lure shoppers into their stores (or onto their websites).

So if you’re braving the crowds this Black Friday, know that you’re participating in a time-honored tradition that dates back almost 80 years.

The Black Friday Name Comes from Philadelphia

You may have heard that the “black” in Black Friday refers to the day’s power to push retailers “into the black,” a reference to the black ink used on handwritten ledgers to denote profit. This story, however, was concocted by retailers to make the name sound more favorable.

The real origin of the Black Friday moniker comes from Philadelphia, where the Army-Navy football game is played on the Saturday following Thanksgiving every year. In the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, the game brought in hordes of people, most of whom arrived on Friday. This caused a major headache for the police, who had to deal with increased traffic and rowdy behavior. As a result, they started referring to the day as “Black Friday.”

Over time, the term caught on and spread to other cities. It wasn’t until the 1980s that retailers began using it to describe the busy shopping day after Thanksgiving. And while the connotation has changed somewhat since then, the name still brings to mind chaotic scenes and long lines at stores.

So next time you hear someone say that Black Friday is all about getting retailers out of the red and into the black, you can set them straight!

Black Friday Is a Major Day for Retail

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and it’s a crucial day for retailers. It sets the tone for the holiday season, which is a crucial time for many businesses in the retail industry. Here are some Black Friday economic statistics:

  • 100 million: The number of people who shopped in a physical store on Black Friday 2016
  • $7.9 billion: The amount spent online on Black Friday 2016
  • $655.8 billion: The total spent over the 2016 holiday season

Clearly, Black Friday is a very important day for retailers. If you’re planning on doing any shopping this holiday season, be sure to keep Black Friday in mind!

You Can Learn More About Improving Sales With a Business Administration Degree

If you want to learn more about how to improve sales for your business, consider enrolling in a business administration degree program. A BSBA can help you develop the leadership skills and business knowledge you need to be successful in business.

Part business degree and part management degree, a bachelor of business administration is ideal if you own your own business or are looking to advance in your current job. Online business degree programs offer the flexibility and convenience you need to complete your degree on your own schedule.

No matter what stage you are in your career, a business administration degree can help you take your career to the next level. If you are ready to learn more about how to improve sales for your business, consider enrolling in a BSBA program today.

With an online BSBA degree program, you can study business subjects like marketing, finance, and management while continuing to work full time. That’s because online universities offer coursework that can be completed at times that fit your schedule.

By developing leadership qualities and gaining business skills through a BSBA degree program, you can help your business reach its sales goals. Plus, the knowledge you gain can also be applied to other areas of your business, such as customer service or operations.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to improve sales at your business, consider completing a BSBA degree program online. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to help your business succeed.

Conclusion:

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year in America. It falls on the day after Thanksgiving and marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Retailers offer huge discounts, and shoppers line up early to take advantage of them. Black Friday has become a tradition for many families, and it’s a day when people can get some great deals on gifts for their loved ones. This year, make sure to mark November 24th on your calendar and join in on all the fun!

Read more: What Are The Benefits Of Cyber Monday?

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Warren Baldwin

Warren Baldwin

Hi, I'm Warren Baldwin. I'm a full-time writer with a focus on creating helpful guides and reviews for consumers. I love helping people find the best products and services to suit their needs, and I take great pride in providing unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions. I've been writing professionally for over 10 years, and I consider it an honor to be able to help people find the right products and services for their needs. My goal is always to provide unbiased information that can help consumers make informed decisions, and I take great pride in being able to do that every day. Thanks for reading!