11 Things You Didn’t Know About Black Friday (But Should Before You Shop)

 b Once known for long lines and doorbuster deals, today's version is quieter, longer — and more complicated. From early sales and price matching to Cyber Monday and online-only exclusives, the rules have changed. 

Whether you're a seasoned bargain hunter or a casual shopper, these surprising Black Friday facts might make you rethink how (and when) to shop. 

1. Black Friday wasn’t always about shopping 

Black Friday is synonymous with shopping, but that wasn’t always the case. 

The original term “Black Friday” referred to September 24, 1869. That was the day the U.S. gold market crashed, marking one of the darkest financial days in U.S. history. Because September 24 was a Friday, it was named “black Friday.” 

Nearly a century later, in the 1950s, factory managers referred to the Friday after Thanksgiving as “black Friday” because so many workers called in sick. Additionally, traffic cops in Philadelphia also dubbed the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” because it was one of the longest and most demanding workdays of the year, thanks to the unusual amount of traffic on the roads. 

It wasn’t until the 1980s that Black Friday became what we know it today — the biggest shopping day of the year. 

2. The first retail Black Friday wasn’t until the 1960s 

While Black Friday became commonplace in the 1980s, the first retail Black Friday was in 1961 in Philadelphia. It was initially referred to as “Big Friday,” since “black Friday” had become synonymous with financial ruin and hardship. 

Given its unfortunate history, many rumors exist about why merchants and shopping centers started using “black Friday” in the modern context. The most common story is that until Thanksgiving, most shops and retailers were operating at a financial loss for the year. In the days of handwritten accounting ledgers, bookkeepers recorded losses in red ink and profits in black ink. 

The Friday after Thanksgiving marked the day when people would start Christmas shopping, stores would turn a profit, and financial ledger entries were written in black ink. That’s why the phrase “in the black” means a business is profitable. 

3. Some stores start Black Friday deals before Thanksgiving 

Black Friday took the world by storm in the 1980s, and it’s been one of the biggest shopping days of the year ever since. But some stores have started cashing in early on the hype. 

Major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, kick off their online and in-store deals as early as October. 

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4. It’s not the biggest shopping day of the year 

Black Friday was considered the biggest shopping day of the year for nearly half a century, but another major shopping day has overtaken it. 

In recent years, “Super Saturday” — the last Saturday before Christmas — has surpassed Black Friday because it’s one of the last days to buy holiday gifts. 

Super Saturday might be the shopping day for last-minute buyers, but Black Friday remains popular among serious bargain hunters. Still, you can expect big crowds and terrible traffic on either day, so be prepared! 

5. Cyber Monday is gaining ground 

If you’re not a fan of crowds, Cyber Monday — the Monday after Thanksgiving — might be your ideal shopping day. Think of it as the online equivalent of Black Friday. 

According to Adobe Analytics data, last year’s Cyber Monday online spending hit a record $13.3 billion — more than Black Friday’s $10.8 billion. 

Because the two days attract different consumers, retailers often feature sales on different items. For instance, Black Friday is typically the best day to buy electronics and appliances (you’re more likely to shop for those in person), whereas Cyber Monday has better markdowns on shoes, clothing, and toys. 

6. Some of the best deals aren’t on Black Friday 

While Cyber Monday and Super Saturday are gaining popularity, Black Friday is still synonymous with unbeatable shopping deals — but is that still true in 2025? 

Not really. 

In fact, you can find comparable (or even better) deals on Presidents’ Day, Labor Day Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, Amazon Prime Day, and during the post-Christmas clearance. Deals will vary by store and category, but it’s worth considering if you’re hunting for bargains. 

7. You can stay home and shop 

Yes, you could wait for Cyber Monday — but many retailers have started offering their Black Friday deals online. 

While Amazon is the most popular option for Black Friday online shopping, it’s not the only one. Walmart, Target, and Best Buy often offer in-store Black Friday deals online (for delivery or pickup). 

Avoiding the stress and hassle of in-store shopping on the year's busiest shopping day is perfect for introverts like me. Personally, I’d rather spend an hour at the dentist than be stuck in a frenzied crowd! 

8. Black Friday is a global event 

Since it occurs the day after American Thanksgiving, it’s easy to assume Black Friday is exclusive to the United States. While it did originate here, Black Friday has become a global phenomenon. 

Here are some of the countries where you can get in on the Black Friday action: 

• Canada
• Italy
• United Kingdom
• France
• Germany
• Australia
• Ireland
• Poland
• Greece
• New Zealand
• Brazil
• Israel
• Iran
• Spain
• India
• Sweden
• Norway

So, even if you’re traveling over Thanksgiving weekend, you could still score an unbeatable deal! 

9. Not all Black Friday deals are really deals 

While there’s no shortage of markdowns on Black Friday, be cautious about what you buy. Certain items are labeled “discounted” or “on sale” when they aren’t much of a deal. For marketers, it’s all about the illusion of savings. 

Many stores inflate prices before November so they can “reduce” the price for the Black Friday sale. All they’re really doing is reducing it to the original selling price, not selling it at a discount. 

Another trick retailers love is listing items as “limited stock.” You might see these marketed as “for a limited time,” or “24 hours only!” The implication is that you’ll miss out if you don’t buy it now, which is rarely the case. 

10. You can return items bought on Black Friday 

Stores may sell items at deep discounts on Black Friday, but their return policies generally stay the same. Whether you purchase clothing, electronics, toys, or home décor, the return policy still applies. 

With that in mind, it’s worth noting that stores can limit returns, especially on clearance items. Always check the return policy before buying anything on Black Friday in case you need to take it back. 

11. Small businesses are holding their own 

Big-box retailers may dominate Black Friday — but small businesses have carved out their own edition: Small Business Saturday. 

While the markdowns aren’t as deep because of the smaller profit margins, you can still find great deals. And even if you don’t see significant savings, supporting Small Business Saturday is a boost to your local community. 

The future of Black Friday shopping 

While traditional brick-and-mortar stores still lead Black Friday sales, online shopping continues to advance — and for good reason. 

Between personalized apps, AI-driven recommendations, and targeted deals, shopping online has never been easier or more tailored to your needs. 

These days, you don’t even have to dig for deals. With the right AI prompts, you can ask tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, or Amazon Rufus to help you compare prices, generate gift ideas, or find coupon codes across the web in seconds. 

A few smart prompts can help you plan your shopping and uncover hidden deals without spending hours searching. In-person shopping just can’t compete with that kind of convenience. 

Bottom line: Black Friday may have changed, but that’s not a bad thing. Smart shoppers know it’s not about waiting for a single sale day anymore. With the right strategy and timing, great deals are always within reach.