Why BLACK friday ?

The day after Thanksgiving, in the US, falls on a Friday. It is the day that most people use to begin their Christmas shopping. Stores are crowded with customers and if they have had luke warm sales this usually puts them in, 'the black', or the positive cashflow side.

Tony is correct:  Historically it's been perceived that the day after Thanksgiving was the biggest shopping day of the year. 

Most small businesses, even large hardline chains, will do 50% or more of their yearly business in those 5 weeks between Thanksgiving & Christmas.   "Black"  refers to making money, rather than "Red" ...meaning to lose money.   

The "dirty little secret"  is that "Black Friday"  never really was the "biggest shopping day."

For many decades, it was actually the last Saturday before Christmas.    I'm not certain which day it is now.......

Sadly, and as a black person, much to my personal dismay, the term "black" is almost always associated with something negative.  However, in financial terms, with the exception of the Black Monday stock market crash, it is the most positive financial term that can be achieved!  Black Friday is green money day for retailers and remains the #1 in-store selling day.  Super Saturday, the final Saturday before Christmas, is #2!  LOL! 

@marty-johnson 

Well said, and yes, Super Saturday it is - that was what Chris was referring to, no doubt! 

...black is beautiful  unless it's the interior of a car.  I've never liked black interiors.   😔 🤨 

Posted by: @chris

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...black is beautiful  unless it's the interior of a car.  I've never liked black interiors.   😔 🤨 

Posted by: @chris

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...black is beautiful  unless it's the interior of a car.  I've never liked black interiors.   😔 🤨 

We are opposites here.  I love Black Interiors on cars!  The interior I hate most is White!  Followed by Tan/Brown.  Ick!!!

And yes, Black Friday refers to businesses making their biggest profits.  Of course this all built on advertising and getting people to come in for the (so-called) bargains.  My problem is, THE CROWDS!  It's torture!  Personally, I'd rather wait and even pay a little more for something than endure the damn crowds!  

@georgeschire - We're exact opposites.  Although the first two Covettes had black interiors, I HATE them and love tan.  All three of my current vehicles have tan interiors.  LOL!  Different strokes....

Posted by: @georgeschire

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And yes, Black Friday refers to businesses making their biggest profits.  Of course this all built on advertising and getting people to come in for the (so-called) bargains.  My problem is, THE CROWDS!  It's torture!  Personally, I'd rather wait and even pay a little more for something than endure the damn crowds!  

Crowds don't bother me, but one must never forget the law of the jungle: "Kill or be kill - survival of the fittest."     The masses are asses; I've stood in the middle of stores screaming & cursing like a madman, I've jumped on top of checkout counters and threatened folks - it's war!    - But other than that - it's a lot of fun.    😀 😀 

The rub  comes, however, when you realize that it's become almost pointless to leave the house.  I've had items smaller than a size of a slice a bread to as large as patio furniture delivered within hours or overnight FAR cheaper than I could get it leaving the house, slugging it home or having it delivered.

So why get off the couch?  🙄 🙄 

Free shipping is commonplace, and on-line pricing is often (but not always ) comparable or better than in-store.

Modern shopping is analogous to Blockbuster vs. streaming.   Remember when you'd drive to a Blockbuster, spend a fair amount of time picking just one or two movies, wait in a line to pay, drive home, watch them, rewind them, then within days drive to return them?    

Today, with a remote, I can infinitely "click & watch."     Shopping has morphed into that.    About the only online "shopping"   I do that's a bit wasteful, but very convenient, is Grubhub.    Even the best Grubhub  deals are rarely competitive with in-person dinning, but hey - I'm lazy!   😆 😆 

@sizedoesmatter I agree, I  think a clean black interior oozes elegance. Probably 95% of the vehicles I've owned over the years have had black interiors, and that was by choice. That's just me though.😁

@marty-johnson Me too Marty, I hate fighting the insanity. It's just so much easier.😊

Posted by: @geno

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"Probably 95% of the vehicles I've owned over the years have had black interiors...."

OH NO..... you're ONE of THEM!