Every year, right after Thanksgiving, millions of people rush into stores or log onto their favorite websites in search of incredible bargains. Shoppers wait eagerly for the moment doors open, while online carts fill up with discounted electronics, clothing, and gifts. This global shopping frenzy is known as Black Friday. But what is the purpose of Black Friday? Is it simply about grabbing the best deals, or does it hold a deeper cultural and economic meaning?
Black Friday is more than just a day of discounts. It has grown into a tradition that reflects consumer culture, retail strategies, and even social trends. From its humble beginnings in the United States to becoming an international shopping holiday, Black Friday has transformed the way people approach the holiday season. To truly understand its significance, we must examine its origins, its purpose, and how it continues to influence both shoppers and retailers today.
What Is The Purpose Of Black Friday?
At its core, Black Friday serves as the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season. It’s designed to create excitement, drive massive sales, and encourage consumers to start buying gifts earlier. For retailers, the purpose of Black Friday is to boost revenue, clear out old inventory, and attract loyal customers with enticing bargains. For shoppers, it represents a chance to save big on items they’ve been eyeing all year.
The purpose of Black Friday, however, goes beyond just economics. It has evolved into a cultural tradition marked by family shopping trips, shared excitement over finding deals, and a sense of participating in something bigger than just shopping.
A Look Back at the Origins of Black Friday
To understand its purpose today, it helps to look at Black Friday history. The term “Black Friday” wasn’t originally linked to shopping at all. In 1869, it referred to a financial crisis when two investors tried to manipulate the U.S. gold market, causing a market crash.
The modern association began in the 1960s, when police officers in Philadelphia used “Black Friday” to describe the heavy traffic and chaos that followed Thanksgiving Day. Crowds of shoppers filled downtown, making the day a headache for law enforcement.
Retailers, however, decided to spin the phrase positively. They connected it with moving from “in the red” (losses) to “in the black” (profits) during the start of the holiday shopping season. This clever rebranding cemented Black Friday as a shopping holiday, and its purpose became clear: attract consumers with unbeatable deals and kickstart holiday spending.
The Economic Purpose of Black Friday
From a retail standpoint, the purpose of Black Friday is deeply tied to economics. For many businesses, the holiday season accounts for a large portion of annual revenue, and Black Friday serves as the launchpad.
Some of the key economic purposes include:
Boosting Sales Volumes: Retailers slash prices on popular products, knowing the surge in traffic will result in higher overall sales.
Clearing Inventory: Black Friday allows stores to move out older models or excess stock before the new year.
Building Brand Loyalty: Shoppers who score great deals are more likely to return later for future purchases.
Driving Competition: Retail giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Target compete aggressively, each trying to outdo the other with better discounts and promotions.
Essentially, Black Friday fuels consumer spending while ensuring retailers close out the year with strong profits.
The Consumer Perspective
From the shopper’s side, the purpose of Black Friday looks quite different. Consumers see it as an opportunity to stretch their budgets and maximize holiday shopping. Whether it’s picking up the latest TV, buying gifts for loved ones, or treating themselves to something special, the thrill of getting a bargain is a huge motivator.
Why do shoppers look forward to Black Friday?
Huge Savings: Deep discounts on big-ticket items like electronics and appliances.
Holiday Preparation: It’s the perfect time to buy gifts ahead of Christmas.
Limited Time Deals: The sense of urgency makes scoring a deal feel rewarding.
Tradition: For many families, shopping together after Thanksgiving has become a yearly ritual.
In short, the consumer purpose of Black Friday is about saving money, preparing for the holidays, and enjoying the excitement of finding the best deals.
Beyond Shopping, The Cultural Purpose
Black Friday isn’t just about economics or discounts, it has a cultural side, too. Over the decades, it has evolved into a shared social experience. Families plan their shopping trips together, friends compare deals, and the media covers the frenzy as if it were a sporting event.
Some cultural aspects include:
Tradition: In the U.S., it’s almost as iconic as Thanksgiving itself.
Media Spectacle: News outlets show footage of massive crowds, long lines, and shoppers celebrating their purchases.
Community Bonding: Some people even see it as a fun challenge to find the best deal before someone else does.
Culturally, the purpose of Black Friday is to mark the beginning of the holiday spirit and bring people together, even if it’s in the middle of a crowded mall or a virtual shopping cart.
Black Friday in the Digital Age
The rise of e-commerce has completely reshaped the purpose of Black Friday. No longer confined to long lines and in-store doorbusters, shoppers now enjoy deals at the click of a button. Amazon, Walmart, and other giants begin rolling out online discounts weeks in advance, making the holiday more accessible than ever.
Cyber Monday, introduced in 2005, further expanded the event by focusing on online sales. Together, Black Friday and Cyber Monday create a shopping weekend that blends physical and digital retail.
The modern purpose of Black Friday in the digital era is to give consumers flexibility: shop from home, compare prices instantly, and stack extra savings with promo codes. Smart shoppers even check out Zubile for additional coupons, ensuring they squeeze the most value from every deal.
How Black Friday Has Evolved Over Time
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Friday was showing signs of change. In 2019, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that Black Friday actually overtook Cyber Monday as the busiest day for online shopping. Then in 2020, retailers leaned heavily into digital promotions, stretching sales over weeks instead of a single day. That year marked a milestone for the first time, online Black Friday shoppers surpassed 100 million. Since then, retailers have continued blending in-store and online strategies, creating a new shopping dynamic.
Interestingly, while more people now shop online during Black Friday than on Cyber Monday, Adobe data shows that shoppers often spend more money on Cyber Monday itself. Experts like Dr. Ross Steinman suggest this comes down to urgency, many websites display “last chance” messages or countdown clocks that push shoppers to act before midnight. This gamified approach makes Cyber Monday feel like the final opportunity to snag a bargain.
Another big shift has been the rise of early discounts. Events like Amazon’s October Prime Day encourage other retailers to launch promotions weeks in advance, spreading out consumer spending. While this led to a dip in sales in 2021 ($8.9 billion compared to $9 billion in 2020), revenue bounced back quickly, reaching $9.12 billion in 2022 and $9.8 billion in 2023, according to Adobe. In 2023 alone, more than 200 million Americans shopped in-store and online during the Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday stretch, the highest figure ever recorded by the NRF.
Criticisms and Changing Perceptions
While Black Friday is beloved by many, it’s not without criticism. Some argue that the holiday promotes overconsumption and unnecessary spending. Environmental advocates point out that mass production and increased shipping contribute to waste and carbon emissions.
Others reject the chaos entirely, participating in alternative movements like Buy Nothing Day, which encourages people to step back from consumerism and focus on meaningful activities instead.
Despite the criticisms, Black Friday’s purpose is evolving. More shoppers are looking for sustainable options, online deals, and brands that align with their values. Retailers are also adapting, offering extended Black Friday sales throughout November to reduce the stress and chaos of a single day.
Conclusion: The True Purpose of Black Friday
So, what is the purpose of Black Friday? At its heart, it’s a day that brings together economics, culture, and tradition. For retailers, it’s about boosting profits and starting the holiday season strong. For consumers, it’s about saving money, preparing for festivities, and enjoying the thrill of the hunt.
But beyond dollars and discounts, Black Friday also reflects broader cultural patterns in how we celebrate, how we shop, and how technology continues to shape our lives. Whether you embrace the deals or avoid the madness, there’s no denying that Black Friday has become a defining part of modern consumer culture.
Next time you find yourself asking, What is the purpose of Black Friday?, remember: it’s not just about shopping, it’s about history, community, and the excitement of starting the holiday season with a bang.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the main purpose of Black Friday?
The main purpose of Black Friday is to kick off the holiday shopping season. For retailers, it drives sales, clears inventory, and boosts profits. For shoppers, it’s a chance to grab major discounts and start holiday gift shopping early.
Q. Why is it called Black Friday?
The term originated in the 1960s when Philadelphia police officers used it to describe the chaos of post-Thanksgiving crowds. Retailers later rebranded it positively, linking it to moving from “in the red” (losses) to “in the black” (profits).
Q. Do people shop more online or in stores on Black Friday?
In recent years, more people have shopped online than in-store during Black Friday. The convenience of e-commerce, combined with deals from retailers like Amazon and Walmart, makes digital shopping increasingly popular.
Q. How does Black Friday compare to Cyber Monday?
Black Friday deals often focus on big-ticket items like TVs, laptops, and appliances, while Cyber Monday emphasizes online discounts, especially on tech and electronics. Many shoppers take advantage of both events to maximize savings.
Q. Can I use coupons or promo codes on Black Friday?
Yes! Many retailers allow you to stack coupons and promo codes with Black Friday sales. Smart shoppers often check Zubile for extra discount codes to increase their savings.
