Black Friday

Black Friday History

Black Friday is a shopping event that originates in the United States, marked by significant retail discounts and promotional offers. This annual event takes place after Thanksgiving Day and is widely regarded as the unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It is characterized by long queues outside stores, limited-time deals, and a heated atmosphere as shoppers compete to secure coveted items at a fraction of their usual price.

Although Black Friday began as a distinctly American tradition, its popularity has expanded across the globe, including Australia. The adoption of this shopping event Down Under can be attributed to the gradual influence of international retailers and the growth of e-commerce. For Australians, Black Friday offers a prime opportunity to save on a wide range of products, from luxury items to essential household goods. This influx of deals and discounts has helped to redefine the Christmas shopping landscape, fostering a sense of anticipation and competitiveness among consumers eager to make the most of the sales.

In recent years, Australia has embraced Black Friday, with many retailers offering significant in-store and online discounts. Stores nationwide have reported increased sales and foot traffic on this particular day as eager consumers seek the best deals. Although the date of Black Friday remains the same as in the United States (the day after Thanksgiving), Australian shoppers are encouraged to watch local media and visit retailers' websites ahead of time to familiarize themselves with sales and promotions, ensuring they are well-prepared when the event arrives.

Black Friday facts

• According to IBM, for the first time in history smartphones and tablets outpaced desktop computers for generating consumer traffic to websites during Black Friday in 2015.
  
• According to consumerreports.org, heavily discounted televisions and other electronic items sold on Black Friday can be derivative models. Derivatives are products that have been manufactured specifically for sale at events like Black Friday. These products vary in specifications, quality and have less features than standard merchandise sold all-year long.
• Australian retailers first started observing Black Friday sales events around 2013, as they tried to compete with major US online retailers. This was an attempt to prevent Australian consumers from taking their holiday shopping overseas.
• In Australia, Black Friday falls during the spring season, unlike North America where it takes place during fall.

In the News and Trending in Australia for Black Friday

Top things to do in Australia for Black Friday

• Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude. Given that Black Friday follows Thanksgiving Day, use this day to spread gratitude and cheer to others. If you have leftover turkey from Thanksgiving Day, then use it to make sandwiches. You and your family can deliver these to the homeless people in your community.
• Carpool or take an Uber to your favorite shopping destination. There will be limited parking space available on Black Friday and some bus routes will be operating on a holiday schedule.
• Some Australian travel agencies and airlines offer discounted prices on Black Friday. Keep an eye out for travel deals, package deals, hotel discounts, or cheaper flights during this time to plan your next getaway.
• Many Australian subscription-based services, such as streaming platforms, software services, or even gym memberships, often provide discounts or special offers on Black Friday. Take advantage of these deals to save money on your favorite subscriptions.