The history of Black Friday: How it all began and why it continues

How Black Friday Was Born: From Chaos to Opportunity

Black Friday originates from the United States of America, and is associated with the day after the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Although there are several theories about its origin, the most widely accepted one dates back to the 1950s when police in Philadelphia used the term "Black Friday" to describe the chaotic traffic and crowds that followed Thanksgiving.

By then, stores had already started offering deep discounts to attract shoppers, marking the start of the Christmas shopping season. The name "black" symbolized the stress for police officers and employees due to large crowds, but over time this term acquired a positive meaning — the transition of store operations from "red" (loss) to "black" (profit).

Evolution: From physical stores to online shopping

In the early stages, Black Friday was limited to brick-and-mortar stores, where customers often gathered in the early hours of the morning and waited in long lines. The crowds were becoming legendary, and some events even resulted in accidents due to the fight over discounted products.

However, with the development of e-commerce, retailers have recognized the potential to move their offerings online. Since the 2010s, Black Friday has increasingly moved online, and the 2020 pandemic has further accelerated this transition. Today, many stores start with discounts several days earlier, while Cyber ​​Monday (the Monday after Black Friday) focuses on additional online offers.

Differences in Black Friday traditions around the world

Although Black Friday originated in the USA, it soon spread around the world and adapted to local markets. Europe and Asia have embraced this trend, but with certain differences:

Serbia and the Balkan region: Black Friday has been intensively promoted here in recent years. Many stores offer discounts that last for several days or even a whole week, although the promotions are not always as big as abroad.

Great Britain: Here, Black Friday gained popularity in the 2010s, and still sees a large number of brick-and-mortar shoppers, although online sales are increasingly taking over.

China: Although Black Friday is not as popular as in other parts of the world, the Chinese equivalent is Singles' Day on November 11, which has seen record online sales.

Brazil and Latin America: In Latin America, Black Friday has spread quickly, but is often criticized for "fake discounts" and inflated pre-sale prices.

Why does Black Friday continue and how did it become a global phenomenon?

The main reason Black Friday lasts so long is that it combines the need to buy holiday gifts with tempting discounts. Consumer psychology plays a key role — customers feel pressured to take advantage of limited offers.

In addition, the shift to online shopping has enabled global availability of discounts, while marketing campaigns are announced in advance and create a sense of anticipation. Retailers around the world use this day to attract customers, increase sales and get rid of inventory before the holidays.

Conclusion

Over the decades, Black Friday has gone from a local day of mayhem to a global shopping event. Today, although some traditions are changing, the purpose remains the same - to provide customers with a good shopping opportunity, while sellers increase their income.

Whether you like shopping from the comfort of your home or enjoy the hustle and bustle of physical stores, Black Friday is an opportunity for everyone — it's just important to plan what to buy and not fall into the trap of impulse buying.