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  • Writer's pictureMy Cup of Earth

The history and evolution of Black Friday shopping


Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. This day is known for massive discounts, long lines, and frenzied shopping. But how did Black Friday come to be?


The history of Black Friday can be traced back to the 19th century, when retailers would lower their prices to sell leftover goods after Thanksgiving. The term “Black Friday” was first used in the 1960s, and it referred to the heavy traffic and chaos that occurred in Philadelphia on the day after Thanksgiving

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Over the years, Black Friday has evolved from a single day of discounted goods to a marketing frenzy that spans multiple days, both in-store and online. In the early 2000s, retailers began offering “doorbuster” deals, which were only available for a limited time and in limited quantities. This led to consumers camping out in front of stores to be first in line for the best deals.


The rise of e-commerce in the 2010s brought about a new phase in the evolution of Black Friday. Retailers began offering online deals, sometimes even before Black Friday itself. This shift to online shopping led to the creation of Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, which is now another major shopping day.


In recent years, some retailers have even started their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving Day, leading to controversy and criticism from those who believe that employees should be able to spend the holiday with their families.


Despite the controversies, Black Friday remains one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and retailers continue to offer bigger and better deals to attract shoppers. The evolution of Black Friday from a day of discounted goods to a multi-day, multi-channel marketing frenzy has forever changed the way we shop.


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