The Origin Story of Black Friday- Unveiling the Roots of This Iconic Shopping Day

Where did the term “Black Friday” originate from? This question has intrigued many as the term has become synonymous with the shopping frenzy that follows Thanksgiving in the United States. To understand the origins of this term, we must delve into its historical roots and the events that led to its adoption.

The concept of Black Friday dates back to the 19th century when it was used to describe the heavy and profitable shopping that took place on the day after Thanksgiving. However, the term’s association with financial loss and the stock market took root much later. In the 1960s, the term was used by Philadelphia police to describe the massive traffic jams and chaos that occurred on the day after Thanksgiving. The idea was that the city’s streets would be “blackened” by the sheer number of cars and pedestrians.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that the term took on its modern connotation. The National Retail Federation (NRF) started promoting Black Friday as the day when retailers began to turn a profit for the year, hence the “black” indicating profitability. The term became more widely used as retailers and media outlets began to capitalize on the shopping frenzy, creating a sense of urgency and excitement around the event.

In recent years, the term has evolved even further, with some critics arguing that the focus on Black Friday has become more about the consumerism and commercialism of the holiday season than about the actual day itself. Regardless of its origins, Black Friday remains a significant event in the retail calendar, symbolizing the beginning of the holiday shopping season and the quest for great deals.