Black Friday, Black Week, Black Month - more than just discounts
Black Friday, Black Week, Black Month - more than just discounts
Black Friday, led by the world-famous Black Friday, is a long-awaited date of the year for many—a time of super bargains and great deals. But while most people excitedly prepare their shopping lists, few know the true origins and history of this phenomenon. Why is it called "Black" Friday? And what does it have to do with Thanksgiving? In this blog post, we delve into the history of this well-known discount event and explore how a simple Friday evolved into a global shopping phenomenon.
The origins of Black Friday
"Black Friday" has its roots in the USA. The name was first used in Philadelphia in the 1960s to describe the day after Thanksgiving, specifically the chaotic traffic and huge crowds that accompanied it. The day after Thanksgiving marked the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, which is why people flocked to stores in droves to prepare for the holidays.
But there's another theory about how Black Friday got its name. Among other things, the companies that recorded a significant increase in sales on that day could be a key reason for the day's name. The increased sales figures turned the "red" (losses) into "black" (profits), which is why the name "Black" could also refer to the positive effects on businesses.
Black Friday is no longer just a phenomenon in the USA, but arguably the most important and well-known shopping day of the year worldwide. Even today, Black Friday continues to evolve, with many companies extending it to Black Week or even Black Month to offer shoppers better deals and businesses increased sales.
Black Week and Globalization
Black Week, led by Black Friday, may have originated in the United States, but it has taken the entire world by storm. From Europe to Asia to Oceania, many countries have incorporated this shopping phenomenon into their own retail calendars, adapting the Black Friday concept to their own cultural and economic circumstances.
Germany offers a particularly interesting example of the adoption of Black Friday. Instead of concentrating on a single day, sales in Germany often span an entire "Black Week" or "Cyber Week," sometimes even a "Black Month." This gives consumers more flexibility and time to find the best deals. Unlike the US, where Black Friday is predominantly a day for brick-and-mortar retailers, German companies have pursued a combination of online and offline strategies from the start. This mix reflects the modern German consumer, who wants to shop from the comfort of their own home but also values the physical shopping experience.
Beyond Germany, digitalization has given rise to another shopping day: Cyber Monday. Originally introduced as an online answer to Black Friday in the USA, thanks to global e-commerce, this day has also gained a foothold in countries where Black Friday is not traditionally celebrated.
Black Week today and tomorrow
People's increasing environmental awareness and the associated more sustainable consumption have also given rise to alternatives to Black Friday. Many companies are therefore extending the Black Week period into a Black Month, preferring to create high-quality, limited-edition offers rather than promoting overproduction and the associated discounts. Thus, a countervailing trend can be observed that is adapting to changing customer consumption behavior.
Parallel to these changes, there are also discernible movements toward supporting smaller businesses and local shops. In addition to Black Friday, a day could also emerge in the future that, unlike Cyber Monday, focuses on local retail and particularly supports smaller shops and businesses.
