Why it’s Called Black Friday and What’s Your Black Friday List?

What is Black Friday?

Originating in America in the 60s, Black Friday takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The “black” in its name indicates retailers coming out of the red and seeing a return to profit. And the low prices shouldn’t put consumers in the red either. Almost all stores come out with Doorbuster Sales with the early bird special to attract consumers to their shop. People stand in line hours before the stores are opened, to grab the bargains of the year. In last few years, we have witnessed a trend towards bringing those Black Friday Sales online before Friday. Black Friday is no more a one-day event. In last few years, Black Friday Sales have started way before Friday-with some stores starting their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving day and some even starting on Wednesday and Monday. It would not be surprising to see Black Friday sale starting on Monday on the Black Friday week. Therefore, revenue-wise Black Friday is not the biggest day for stores. Biggest sales day now includes Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday.

Why is Black Friday so important?

The Christmas shopping season is of enormous importance to American retailers and, while an examination of the quarterly SEC filings of major retailers such as Wal-Mart or Target shows that most retailers intend to and actually do make profits during every quarter of the year, some retailers are particularly dependent on the Christmas shopping season and have profits for the quarter including Christmas that exceed their profits for the year.

What can you get on Black Friday?

If you haven't heard, Black Friday shopping season is already here. That's right! It may only be the start of October, but we aren't wasting any time this year. Many stores of us are hosting pre-Black Friday sales, and many of these savings events are happening now.

While generally, our stores save our best deals for Black Friday week, that might not be the case this year. After starting Black Friday earlier last year, online stores of us are again actively encouraging people to shop earlier, rather than later. This may be exciting news for all of you, as it means the savings are starting sooner.

It's shaping up to be a holiday shopping season unlike any other, with great deals already underway. Here are some of the sales and savings that are happening now and in the upcoming weeks.

How Does Black Friday Work?

Black Friday is held the day after American Thanksgiving, which itself is traditionally celebrated across the U.S. on the fourth Thursday of every November. Brick-and-mortar stores tend to open early in the morning – sometimes just after midnight, sometimes as early as Thanksgiving evening – offering what they characterize as major, unbeatable deals. Retail stores will frequently begin advertising these deals weeks in advance across all mediums, from physical catalogs to emailed newsletters.

Often, popular goods with considerable discounts will be snapped up by thrifty shoppers trying to maximize their holiday gift budgets. Sometimes deals will even be available for only specific hours of the morning or afternoon; a must-have new smartphone, for example, might be 35% off for one hour but otherwise only be priced at a 25% discount for the rest of Black Friday. But increasingly, retailers' Black Friday sales are available both online and in-store even days in advance of the actual events.

Now, start your shopping plan and Black Friday List.