Black Friday 2024: Know its history, significance and cultural importance, and why it is celebrated

Black Friday 2024: Black Friday, a day associated with massive bargains and crowded shopping centres, is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Black Friday, which is celebrated every year on the 4th Friday this time is falling on November 29, 2024. This day has grown from a simple shopping ritual to a global phenomenon, attracting millions of shoppers looking to get fantastic in-store and online deals. This festival is not just celebrated in the US but also in India. The Black Friday sale in India has also started for big brands.

Why is Black Friday celebrated?

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Black Friday is considered as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, with buyers able to purchase items at a discount prices. Its origins can be traced back to mid-century America, where it became associated with increased consumer spending after Thanksgiving. "Black Friday" first gained popularity in the 1960s, when Philadelphia police used it to characterize the hectic shopping crowds and traffic.

Over time, it took on a more positive connotation, representing the day businesses went into the black, which meant their profits improved due to high sales. Black Friday has evolved from a shopping custom to a cultural occasion with internet bargains, longer store hours, and doorbuster discounts. It reflects consumer enthusiasm and retailers' strategies for increasing end-of-year earnings. For many, it's also a social tradition¡ªan opportunity to bond with family or friends over the excitement of finding amazing discounts.

What is the significance of Black Friday?

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With the idea being embraced in other countries and coming to represent the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy, Black Friday has become a worldwide phenomenon. For retailers, Christmas is an important season because it has a huge impact on annual sales results. Customers can take advantage of exceptional savings on items they've been eyeing, such as technology, apparel, and household goods. In recent years, it has expanded beyond typical in-store purchases to include online buying. In order to draw in online buyers, many businesses have extended their Black Friday sales online in recent years by providing Cyber Monday discounts.

Cultural importance of Black Friday

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For many, Black Friday has become just as much a tradition as Thanksgiving. It has become a little event where people meet each other on their early-morning store visits, bargain hunting, or navigating crowded malls and strengthen their bonds. Often, this shared experience turns into a beloved yearly ritual. Black Friday perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season. Today, people prepare to give gifts, engage in retail therapy, and relish discovering new deals.

Best Black Friday deals in India

India has also started its Black Friday deals; this time, the brands and e-commerce giants are giving up to 80% off. You can shop for clothes, accessories, shoes, electronics, and whatnot from your favourite brands.

Black Friday 2024 reflects changing customs, business tactics, and cultural changes in addition to being a day of sales. Black Friday is still a major symbol of the holiday season and contemporary consumer culture, regardless of whether you participate in the in-store buying frenzy, browse online discount, or consider its more profound ramifications.

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