‘Black Friday’ falls on Friday (November 25), a day following the US holiday of Thanksgiving. The day – is usually associated with massive shopping sprees witnessed across the US fueled by alluring discounts and offers. It is not celebrated in many countries globally, but its idea has gradually spread. Even in India, brands like Amazon, Flipkart, and Adidas are among the many others that have begun offering discounts on the day.
Why is Black Friday called so, and what has its impact been? Why it is so important? Let’s find out.
What is Black Friday?
Similar to how the months of October and November bring discounts in India, given that several significant festivals (such as Dussehra and Diwali) take place around this time, festival shopping starts around the time of Black Friday in the US. Shoppers are attracted to bulk buys and discounts and they begin their Christmas shopping during this period.
Why is it called Black Friday?
There are various explanations for this. According to one theory, it was meant to signify that businesses were doing well and were no longer “in the red.” However, Britannica claims that a more true version dates back to the early 1960s when police officers in Philadelphia started using the term “Black Friday” to describe the turmoil that occurred when a lot of tourists from the suburbs arrived in the city to start their holiday shopping.
When customers thronged, traffic congestion, accidents, stealing, and other problems arose, the police had their hands full and had to work longer shifts.
In the 1980s, Black Friday was referred to as the nation’s busiest shopping day and the day that retail establishments started to make a profit for the year, but some data suggests that it may really be the days leading up to Christmas.
“In more recent years, It has been followed by other shopping holidays, including Small Business Saturday, which encourages shoppers to visit local retailers, and Cyber Monday, which promotes shopping online. Giving Tuesday has also emerged to spur charitable donations,” according to the encyclopedia.
The Global spread and criticism
With Its commercial success, the concept has spread throughout the world. Many nations have their own variations of these sales, though not around November. With their expansion, businesses like Amazon, which already operates on a huge scale, are also able to hold sales in other countries.
However, there are many who object to the worldwide trend toward a more consumerist lifestyle. Black Friday has come to represent excessive consumption in recent years, according to many, since individuals buy things they don’t need just because they’re cheaper on one day, increasing waste production and the carbon imprint.
Several years ago, when Amazon introduced the idea of Black Friday deals to European markets, activists in France organized Black Friday protests against the company, accusing it of escalating climate change through its quick deliveries.
Around this time, Delphine Batho, France’s former environment minister, introduced the “Stop Black Friday” amendment as a part of a bill to combat waste. The amendment suggested including “Black Friday” advertising in “aggressive commercial practices,”,” which could result in up to two years in prison and a €300,000 fine.