The History of Black Friday: How It Became the Biggest Shopping Day of the Year

The History of Black Friday: How It Became the Biggest Shopping Day of the Year

Emma Jackson

Posted on 4/11/2024

Black Friday is a day known for shopping, big sales, and awesome discounts on a wide range of products and services including deals on phones, laptops, TVs, and homeware

But where did Black Friday come from? And where can you find the best deals this year?

What and When is Black Friday?

Black Friday has traditionally always been the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US. This is typically the fourth Friday in November. So in 2024, it will be November 29th. 

Black Friday is often considered the first large sale event of the Christmas season, and many retailers both big and small tend to offer sales and discounts on their products. 

Where Did Black Friday Come From?

There are many beliefs about the meaning behind the term Black Friday. Historically, it came from the 1950s, when factory managers began calling the Friday after Thanksgiving Black Friday. They did it because so many of their workers faked calling in sick to extend their holiday weekend. Roughly 10 years later, traffic cops in Philadelphia started using the term to describe the day after Thanksgiving because they worked 12 hour shifts in awful traffic, thanks to visitors flocking to the city to dive into their holiday shopping. This term caught wind amongst shoppers and retailers alike, and the term bloomed across the US. 

The term Black Friday has also been used in the business world to “show a profit, and not show losses.” By the end of the 1970s, newspapers coined the term Black Friday to describe the beginning of the shopping holiday. In the 1980s, brands and retailers embraced the term, leveraging it to establish product deals and sales. 

Where Can I Find the Best Black Friday Deals?

With the help of PriceMe, of course! PriceMe is a comparison platform designed to help you compare the price of products, all in one place. Rather than scroll through various brand websites, jump on PriceMe, and search the product you want. You can compare prices, similar products, customer reviews, and even read product buying guides so you can choose models that suit you best. Find the best deals on phones, the cheapest iPhone 16, the biggest discounts on laptops, and homeware such as washing machines, fridges and more. PriceMe is the tool to unlock the best Black Friday deals. Why pay more, when you can find cheaper prices? 

Jump on PriceMe

Shop Cheap Phones

Shop Cheap Laptops

Shop Cheap Home Appliances

Further Reading: 

The Ultimate Black Friday Survival Guide

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