Shopping enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the arrival of Black Friday, a day where you can find everything from cosmetics to household appliances at discounted prices. But is it always as great and safe as it seems?
1. The Origin of the Name
Why “Black Friday”? The term was first mentioned in the 1920s in an American trade newspaper. The article noted that on this major shopping day, many workers took unpaid leave to arrive at stores early and beat other shoppers. As a result, productivity in businesses significantly dropped, and traffic jams surged in cities across the country.
2. Drunk Shopping
It’s been proven that around 12% of Black Friday shoppers hit the stores while slightly intoxicated. As a result, they make impulsive purchases and end up with items they don’t really need, which were sold at deep discounts.
3. A Dangerous Day
In America, Black Friday is a time when police and emergency room doctors must be on high alert. There have been numerous incidents where fights broke out in malls over trivial things. For example, in 2011, a mass brawl in Arkansas started over a waffle maker discounted to two dollars. Each year, at least 10 people in the U.S. are hospitalized with serious injuries sustained during the “battle” for bargain goods.
4. Illusory Deals
Buying discounted items may not always be as beneficial as you think. Retailers often deceive customers by inflating prices first and then “lowering” them. About 14% of products on Black Friday are offered at their usual price. Experts advise buying household appliances, jewelry, and warm clothing on this day, or waiting a couple of weeks for pre-Christmas sales when discounts are more likely to be genuine.
5. Special Product Batches
It’s unprofitable for retailers to sell items below cost. For this reason, some large retail chains order special batches of low-quality products from Chinese manufacturers to sell them to unsuspecting buyers “at huge discounts.” This is common with household appliances that may last only as long as their warranty period.
6. Long Queues
Discounts of up to 99% attract huge crowds. Naturally, people want to be the first to get these deals, leading to massive lines in front of U.S. supermarkets on the eve of Black Friday, sometimes with thousands of people. There have been cases where customers tried to stay inside malls overnight, sleeping in storage rooms or even restrooms.
7. New Traditions: Cyber Monday
With the rise of online shopping, traditions have evolved. The Monday after Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, is a day when many online retailers offer steep discounts. This option is much safer than visiting malls in person on the day of major sales.
8. Solitude in the Supermarket
Logically, one might assume that families would spend the most money on Black Friday, wanting to buy Christmas presents for their children or stock up on diapers and pet food. But that’s not the case. Singles and widows spend 30-40% more than those with families. Psychologists explain that by spending money on themselves, lonely people try to fill the void in their lives. Or perhaps they simply have the freedom to buy whatever they want without considering the needs of relatives or children.
9. Ban on Time Off
In the U.S. and Europe, employers officially prohibit taking time off on Black Friday. As mentioned earlier, almost everyone wants to shop on this day. As a result, business productivity drops sharply. The only valid reason for missing work is an illness confirmed by a doctor’s note.
10. Official Holiday
In some states, Black Friday has been made an official holiday. Authorities realized that shopaholics would find a way to skip work to shop regardless, and it was simpler to allow it rather than fight absenteeism and faked illnesses.
Black Friday is both heaven and hell for shopaholics and retailers alike. Shoppers have the opportunity to snag bargains, and retail profits soar. On the other hand, battles over toasters and waffle makers, long lines, and the risk of getting into a fight for a smartphone might not be worth the savings.