What and when is Black Friday?
Do You Know The History Behind Black Friday?
Black Friday is a name used for two unrelated occasions. It is now most popularly used in the US to refer to the day after Thanksgiving, which is often considered the first day of the holiday shopping season and is known for featuring discounts from retailers. Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is always the fourth Thursday in November. In 2023, Black Friday is November 24. In 2024, Black Friday is November 29. The name Black Friday is also used to refer to September 24, 1869, the date of a financial panic in the US sparked by gold speculators.
Where did the term Black Friday come from? While many people believe the term Black Friday finds its roots in the sense of black meaning “showing a profit; not showing any losses,” this isn’t actually the case. Historically, black has been associated with days of economic stress as opposed to days of booming commercial success. The first Black Friday occurred in 1869 after financier Jay Gould and railway businessman James Fisk attempted to corner the gold market, which ultimately resulted in financial panic and the collapse of the market. A little over 60 years later, on October 29, 1929, another stock market crash referred to as Black Tuesday marked the onset of the Great Depression.
The true origin of the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday lies in the sense of black meaning “marked by disaster or misfortune.” In the 1950s, factory managers first started referring to the Friday after Thanksgiving as Black Friday because so many of their workers decided to falsely call in sick, thus extending the holiday weekend. About 10 years later, Black Friday was used by Philadelphia traffic cops to describe the day after Thanksgiving because they had to work 12-hour shifts in terrible traffic. Visitors flocked to the city to start their holiday shopping and, sometimes this popular shopping day coincided with the annual Army–Navy football game. The term caught on among shoppers and merchants in Philadelphia, and from there it took off nationwide. The 1980s brought the mythology of Black Friday as we know it today. While the phrases in the black and in the red are used in the business world to describe profits and losses, this explanation for one of the busiest shopping days of the year only came about in the 1980s, about 20 years after the phrase Black Friday was in regular use.
When is Black Friday 2024?
Black Friday has a late start in 2024 – falling on November 29. Based on this date and past shopping trends.
Are you wondering what day Black Friday falls on this year? The major shopping holiday always takes place the day after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Friday in November. This means the Biggest Shopping Day of the Year is on Friday, November 29 in 2024.
However, since "Black Friday" as a shopping event extends far beyond this specific Friday in November, it can be hard to keep tabs on when your favorite retailers are hosting sales and where to find the best deals. That's why we've created this guide to help you tackle all your Black Friday shopping in 2024 with ease.
Black Friday 2024 in Singapore: Definition and Best Deals
Black Friday has been increasingly popular in recent years. For instance, in just one day, Singaporean shoppers spent over SGD 100 million—an astounding 40% rise from the year before!
Black Friday has grown to be a major shopping event in Singapore, having started as a method to start the holiday shopping season in the United States. Retailers from all across the country participate by providing incredible deals that draw in both residents and visitors.
The phrase "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in the 1960s when police officers used it to characterise the day after Thanksgiving's heavy traffic of vehicles and pedestrians. Eventually, the phrase became synonymous with the beginning of the holiday shopping season among retailers. As a result of the spike in consumer spending, the day came to be associated with enormous discounts and deals, with many stores moving "into the black," or making money.
For the most part, Black Friday was a single day dedicated to in-store shopping. But the scope and duration of the event increased along with e-commerce. These days, a lot of shops offer online deals in addition to in-store experiences, beginning their promotions days or even weeks in advance. The event has become even more widespread as a result of the rise of social media and digital marketing.
Black Friday 2024: Date, origin, significance—all you need to know
Black Friday has evolved into a global phenomenon with it becoming synonymous with the post-Thanksgiving shopping rush
Black Friday 2024 Date and Significance: In the United States, Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving and is one of the year’s busiest shopping days.
It sets the tone for the holiday season and marks the official start of the Christmas shopping season in the United States, with retailers offering discounts on various products.
The sales continue until Monday (Cyber Monday) or for a week (Cyber Week), which accounts for almost one-fifth of annual sales in the retail industry.
Black Friday: How to spot a deal and not get ripped off
The Black Friday sales are already in full swing and it can be easy to get swept up in the shopping frenzy and end up out of pocket - instead of bagging a bargain.
The vast majority of Black Friday offers are cheaper or the same price at other times of the year, consumer group Which? has warned.
We've spoken to some experts who have shared tips on how to shop Black Friday without being ripped off.
Black Friday 2024: Stores launch early-bird deals for ‘Black November
BHG Bugis Junction is one of many major retailers in Singapore to launch early Black Friday deals
Black Friday, an eagerly anticipated annual retail event, is being celebrated early in Singapore, as well as around the world.
While Black Friday 2024 stretches from Nov 29 to Cyber Monday on Dec 1, online and physical stores are not waiting till the end of the month to roll out their big-ticket bargains, a hallmark of Black Friday shopping.
Changing consumer trends over the last few years indicate that sales previously set aside for a single day or the weekend after Thanksgiving Day in the United States have slowly expanded into the lead-up to the actual holiday, as well as a few days after. This allows consumers more elbow room to bag early-bird deals ahead of the Black Friday weekend crowds.
