I'm sure you've heard about Black Friday and its many advantages, but do you know exactly how and when it came about, where its name comes from and, most importantly, how to really take advantage of the world's biggest promotion date?
In this post, we've rounded up the information you need to know to really enjoy Black Friday, especially if you're in the United States.
What is the origin of Black Friday? There are several hypotheses!
Black Friday is an occasion characterised by a series of super interesting promotions in each and every sector of commerce, which today is spread all over the world. It is also no news that this occasion had its beginnings in the United States, but the concrete information on the origin of this theme ends there.
We have done a more extensive research and we will punctuate what, in fact, this very controversial term meant when it was created and how it was imported into the socio-cultural understanding we have today. Let's get down to hypotheses:
Possibility 1: By a stock market crash
Although this event has been associated with racist ideologies, the term was born in 1869, when two speculators named Jay Gould and James Fisk - managing partners of the Erie Railroad - tried to take over the gold market in the New York Stock Exchange by entering into illegal negotiations about the National Treasury (just like the Brazilian Lava jet).
Because of the financial devastation this coup caused on D-Day, a Friday dated 24 September 1969, the price of gold fell dramatically, and so that day became known as "Black Friday". Do you see how you don't communicate with slavery?
Possibility 2: Many Americans appeared "sick" after Thanksgiving
Another much talked about hypothesis is the one brought by the North American magazine Factory Management and Maintenance, from 1950, which reported that after the last Thursday of November (Thanksgiving Day in the United States), many people declared themselves "sick", so a comparison was made between the back death (bubonic plague outbreak of the 14th century), and the term that came up was then, Black Friday.
Possibility 3: Heavy congestion during the Christmas shopping periods
Another more realistic hypothesis with the former is that in 2005, Philadelphia police officers named the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday because of the congestion and rioting on the streets from this date for Christmas and year-end shopping.
Possibility 4: The financial momentum that shops experience after this time of year
It is also worth mentioning, as a last reference, the financial origin of the term - but there is no crisis this time: the market red period, i.e. negative in the United States is notably between the months of January to November, to the point that the colour black for them has the same connotation as "closing in the blue" for Brazilians. Thus, Black Friday indicates the beginning of the US period of positive balances (Christmas shopping).
What can be seen, in the end, is that some of the theories were close to the relationship of the day with the overwhelming liquidity of the absurdly affordable prices of this date. Thus, we know this way because of the routine adopted by the United States on this day, the Friday that begins the end-of-year shopping.
What is American Black Friday like?
This sales strategy was consolidated at the end of the 20th century in the United States and is directly linked to the Thanksgiving holiday, as we mentioned, occurring then on the first Friday after it. Moreover, it is also possible to say that it opens the Christmas shopping season, and in the United States it is marked by real promotions in all US market sectors.
Unlike what many Brazilians complain about Black Friday here, on this date the American shops really offer big discounts on the prices of multiple goods. It is a two-way street: at the point where it is one of the most profitable dates for North American commerce, it is also - obviously - the date when people can realize their dreams of consumption.
Friday is the official day of the Black Friday, but the peak of promotions can be observed from Thursday (Thanksgiving) and throughout the weekend. But, here's the first warning about shopping on this traditional date: be prepared for long lines and lots of crowds. It's the cost-benefit, right?
Tips for travellers to take advantage of the promotions
Let's say you're planning a trip to Disney and the date coincidentally coincides with Black Friday. You can also take advantage of the best outlets in Orlando.
Let's go further, then: you really want to travel for the American Black Friday and your chosen shopping destination is Miami. How do you plan ahead? Do you already know how to prepare, what to buy and which are the best shops? We've got some tips to make the most of the American Black Friday and not only in these two places.
1. How to prepare?
Before facing gigantic queues and crowded aisles, have a plan in mind - and why not, on your mobile's notepad? -, because time is short and many people will be in the same place as you with the same purpose: to spend the money saved.
To have smart consumer choices do your homework (like a step by step even):
- define what you actually want to buy: you have to make a shopping list;
- Do some price research in the weeks prior to Black Friday: use the internet to your advantage and check the shop's website for price fluctuations so that when it's time to buy you can see if it's really worth it;
- list the shops you intend to visit (it is not possible to go to all of them): knowing what you want to buy makes it easier to check the opening hours of the shops that most interest you, as well as to make a field research on how it is on that date;
- invite someone to go shopping with you: going alone is not a good idea, as your chances of managing to buy the products you want are greater if someone else takes care of your trolley, for example, or if each person goes in a sector. Besides, to go through Brazilian customs each person can only pass with 500 dollars;
- be realistic: check if the product you want is usually on sale on this date. Apple, for example, does not offer discounts on iPhones on Black Friday, only their products are on sale.
- Set up your itinerary: since you've listed the shops you intend to visit, also arrange the shopping order according to the locations. There are cases where they can all be in the same mall, but in others the city is the limit, you know?
- rent a car: you won't be able to shop and leave in the crowded underground or spend the money you saved in taxis, will you? The traffic will be crowded, especially during the opening and closing hours of the shops, so invest in your comfort.
2. Which products are worthwhile?
Generally on Black Friday in the United States it is worth buying almost everything, because in fact the promotions are real and the prices of products are much more accessible.
However, if we need to direct your focus, we would say to bet on these items:
- electronics: TVs, laptops, video games (the dream PlayStation or Nintendo Switch), mobile phones (Samsung stands out at this point), watches (brands like Armani and Michael Kors offer amazing deals) and smartwatches (Apple Watches go on sale, remember!);
- kitchen items;
- household items;
- baby clothes and layette;
- Women's and men's clothes, designer or fast fashion: Miami will blow your mind!
- perfumes and skin care products;
- sporting goods;
- toys.
3. Which are the best shops?
There are some shops that deserve to be highlighted when the subject is Black Friday in the United States, and many of them even start their promotions on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.
The most recommended shops, then, for tourists on American Black Friday are:
- Walmart;
- Target;
- Best Bay;
- Dollar General;
- Macy's;
- Sears;
- Forever 21;
- H&M;
- Tommy Hilfiger;
- Armani;
- Calvin Klein;
- Michael Kors;
- Hollister;
- Nike;
- Adidas;
- Sephora;
- Victoria's Secrets;
- Ross Stores.
Do you know of any other shops that should be included in our tips? Leave your comment on this post!
