Black Friday

Every year, people wait for one day in autumn: Black Friday. For most of the world, this means that the main Christmas shopping season has begun. This day brings huge discounts that literally cause a frenzy.

Where did Black Friday come from

The term “Black Friday” has a longer history than it seems. It was originally created in 1869, but back then it wasn’t related to the shopping spree. That’s when the New York Stock Exchange crashed. It wasn’t until the 1950s that discounts became associated with the term. It’s what the cops used to call the day after Thanksgiving. Crowds of people were heading out to shop, so the streets were crowded and it was impossible to get around peacefully.

A major change came in the 1980s, when the day began to function as a marketing tool. Shops claimed to be in the ‘black’ at this time, which meant they were making huge profits. Gradually, this created the commercial power of Black Friday.

How Black Friday transformed

Black Friday started as a local sensation in the US and gradually spread to the world. Today it is considered a global phenomenon. The course of the event has also changed. While it used to kick off Christmas shopping, nowadays Black Friday sales start much earlier and largely involve online shopping. There is an ongoing shopping block that usually starts before Black Friday and continues until Cyber Monday. In the Czech Republic, it functions more like a marketing campaign that runs through most of November.

Records and statistics

Stores and businesses are recording high sales during this season. In 2024, over $10.8 billion was spent online in the US. Globally, spending reached $74.4 billion in just 24 hours. The country then regularly grows profits by around 20-40% compared to other months. Electronics, cosmetics and apparel are among the top-selling categories.

Why Black Friday is so successful

The reason for the success of Black Friday is mainly psychology. Time pressure and the promise of significant savings create the impression of a bargain. So does very well managed marketing, which in conjunction with the pre-Christmas season creates great conditions. The majority of purchases are made online, which leads to quick, no-brainer purchases.

Criticism and problems

However, there are negative aspects to think about when choosing goods. Merchants often create false prices, that is, they increase and then decrease them so that the customer buys in the belief of a discount. Huge purchases also lead to the production of excessive waste and environmental burdens. It is therefore necessary to shop wisely.