Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, the same craziness occurs. This craziness is known as “Black Friday.” Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States.
National chain stores traditionally offer large sales on a wide variety of their products in an effort to lure shoppers into stores. They usually have the same sales online as well.
According to WiserNotify, Black Friday has gone through many changes since its conception in the 1960s. This once fully-in-person event has turned more online. Due to technological advances in recent years, 64% of consumers throughout the nation are predicted to shop strictly online this year.
In addition, WiserNotify said many stores don’t just have their sales last only one day – they tend to last all weekend. Stores also have started announcing what sales they’re going to have early in November. These factors have led to historically low numbers of consumers actually going out and about on Black Friday.
Another reason for the drop in consumers doing in-person shopping is something known as “Cyber Monday.” This event, where retailers give almost the same sales online, takes place the Monday right after Black Friday.
English teacher Jacob Miller said that he’s seen these changes throughout his experience with Black Friday. Miller said he used to shop in-person, and even worked some of them, and added that they were very stressful and cramped. He described it as an “animalistic environment” and described how lines were wrapped around buildings.
However, Miller said he no longer feels the need to go in-store because he can get the same deals online as in-person. He stated that his “interest is less now because it’s not the one time event it used to be, with the sales coming out earlier and extending longer.”
In recent years, WiserNotify said there has also been a noticeable drop in how large the sales are on Black Friday. Senior at Westerville South Nevaeh Robinson said she’s noticed this trend. She commented that whenever she goes into the stores, “There is nothing more than 40-50% off of items, and that is something I feel like I see everyday.”
Robinson said that recently she’s done more shopping online because even with slightly less people in stores, “it’s still cramped, in addition to everyone being crazy and taking it out on those around them, especially the workers, just because they’re overwhelmed.”
If Robinson goes shopping in the store, she tries to be “in and out and as efficient as possible.” She said she always goes with her sister, but that they’ll often split up and get what they each need so they can be as fast as they can.
Another Westerville South senior and shopper, Helena Evans, said she’s noticed so many changes in Black Friday recently. She said she personally likes to shop in person more, but that she’s “noticed shoppers are out less frequently and spend their time on online websites more.”
For Evans, it’s a tradition she enjoys very much. She said “it’s a very special time for me, because I get to spend it with my mom.” She said they always goes to get dinner after their day of shopping and maybe catch a movie. Evans commented on how she sees Black Friday as a very “family-oriented” holiday, especially with it being right after Thanksgiving.
Evans said she enjoys going in person because “…it’s an experience; and by that, I mean I love the craziness and the thrill of the holiday season.”
In the end, Black Friday has gone through many changes throughout the years to become the trademark name and large event it is today. There are many ways to go about it, between online, shopping in person alone, or with family. Most people find what’s best for them and stick with it.
