What is Black Friday?
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, has evolved into a major retail event that marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. It has transformed from a single day of in-store deals to a global shopping frenzy that extends online and across multiple days. The name "Black Friday" originally referred to a negative event, but today, it’s associated with deep discounts, massive sales, and the official kickoff to holiday shopping.
The Rise of E-commerce and Cyber Monday
While Black Friday originated in the United States, its popularity has spread across the world. Countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Brazil now participate in the event. Retailers in these countries have adopted the tradition, using the day as a chance to boost their sales and offer major discounts to customers eager to take advantage of the deals.
In many places, Black Friday has become a part of the cultural fabric. However, it has also sparked concern, particularly around consumerism and sustainability. The overwhelming drive for low-cost products has led to overconsumption, increased waste, and a rise in carbon emissions due to packaging and shipping.
When is Black Friday 2024?
Black Friday traditionally falls the day after Thanksgiving in the US, so the mammoth sale will kick off on Friday 29 November in 2024. Lasting a full four days, deals will end on Cyber Monday, falling on 2 December.