Why do we call it Black Friday?

A Day of Shopping Frenzy

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, has become synonymous with massive sales and shopping frenzy. Stores across the country offer deep discounts, attracting eager shoppers in search of unbeatable deals.

The Origins

The exact origin of the term Black Friday remains a subject of debate, with several theories emerging over time. One of the most widely accepted explanations is rooted in the accounting practices of retail stores.

From Red to Black

In the early days of accounting, retailers would use red ink to record losses and black ink to record profits. In anticipation of the post-Thanksgiving shopping surge, retailers hoped that the increased sales would turn their financial records from red to black.

Black Friday's Evolution

The term Black Friday gradually gained popularity in the 1960s, particularly in the Philadelphia area, where police officers used it to describe the traffic congestion and crowds associated with the start of the holiday shopping season.

The Global Reach of Black Friday

Black Fridays popularity has extended beyond the United States, with many countries around the world adopting the concept of post-Thanksgiving sales events.

The Impact of Black Friday

Black Friday has had a profound impact on the retail industry, generating billions of dollars in sales and influencing consumer spending patterns.