In times past retailers would document their sales in red ink in order to indicate that sales were poor and in black ink to show that sales were up. There is the theory that the great day of deals known as Black Friday received its name due to the fact that so much money would be made on that day that stores could go from being in the red to black. Nevertheless, there are many other possibilities on how Black Friday came to have its start but here are few facts about this day that are more concrete:
- Around 135 million participate in Black Friday yearly.
- It has been documented that some shoppers have chosen to camp out two weeks prior to Black Friday for door opener deals.
- Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season.
- The cheapest deals do not occur on Black Friday but actually can be found a few days before the holiday shopping season closes.
- Black Friday is really no longer just one single day of sales but all of November retailers are most likely to give discounts.
- Deals are not just found in-store anymore, but deal hunters can stay warm inside and clean up on-line.
- There are now apps for Black Friday shopping.
- Sorry loves but you are not likely to get a deal with any Apple products, but you may if its coming from a third party retailer… maybe.
- According to statistics from 2009 early bird shoppers started their day at 12:00 a.m.
- Over half the shoppers participating in Black Friday would describe their experience as being “fun.”
- The term “Black Thursday” describes stores that begin their sales on Thanksgiving day instead of midnight after Thanksgiving.
- Walmart stores have been known to up security to help cut-down on the risk of customer/employee trampling.
- In 2013 consumers racked up over $57 billion in merchandise.
- Last year on Black Friday the average consumer spent a little over $400.
- Over 60% of Black Friday shoppers will tweet about what they bought.
- Desktops do not rule Black Friday shopping anymore; last year shoppers used their tablets and smartphones spending a record-breaking $259 million.
- Consumers are spending even more on Cyber Monday which is the Monday after Thanksgiving/Black Friday.
- Social media is influencing shoppers to spend money as well. Over 60% of consumers purchase gifts based on what they saw on a social media platform.
- Last year, over $2 billion dollars was spent during Black Friday by online shoppers.
- Even though the deals are enticing 4 out of 10 consumers will still do their shopping during December or after.
