One of the best feelings is being able to save money when shopping online. Not only can shoppers save money, but they can make their budget go a lot further, purchasing items that might otherwise have been out of their budget range or allowance for the month or even year. With this in mind, Black Friday is a great day to search for deals, so let’s uncover all that there is to know about this day.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving. As Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November each year, the exact day for Black Friday also changes. But, as it follows the same pattern as Thanksgiving, it’s easy to track and know when it is. This year though, in 2024, it takes place on November 29th.
The day originated in the US and is particularly important to Americans. This is because it heralds the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Not only that, but the day is linked to Black Friday in 1869 when the financial crisis saw gold prices plummet impacting investors. Later, the term was used in American retail to link price drops and the name has stuck. Subsequently, many stores open early and offer hugely discounted rates on their products. Depending on the store, the day can begin as early as midnight, lasting for a full 24 hours until the next day.
The length of time the sale lasts also differs across stores with some opting to leave their sales running for the weekend culminating on Cyber Monday. Others opt for Cyber Week, leaving these discounts up for more than seven days.
Pros and cons of Black Friday deals in physical stores
These days, Black Friday deals are offered across all platforms. But, there are still some pros to getting these deals directly in the store. For instance, once the items have been bought in a store, the shopper has them immediately, there is no delivery time to wait for. Additionally, there are still some massive discounts that only occur in stores. This is to encourage more shoppers to enter the physical store, pushing for increased foot traffic.
As many people opt to shop online, sometimes going to the store for the Black Friday deal is the better option. Online deals can sell out, but going in store gives shoppers a better chance of getting their hands on what they want.
However, there are some downsides. Many physical stores will open early on Black Friday, but this can mean there are a lot of people waiting. In some instances, popular stores have been known to have long lines form prior to the opening. This has, in the past, resulting in aggressive shopping and injuries in crowds as they all fight to gain access to the items within the deal.
Pros and cons of Black Friday deals on e-commerce sites
Since Black Friday deals have made the shift to the online platform, more online sites have these big deals. Making the most of these Black Friday online deals has some significant advantages. Shopping online means that shoppers don’t have to get up early and line up in the cold outside a store. Yes, shoppers will have to wait a few days for their items to arrive which is a bit of a downside, but it’s no different to any other type of online shopping.
Utilizing online Black Friday deals also means shoppers can compare the market more easily. Many stores may have similar items and deals, so shoppers can check out all the deals quickly, making the best money-saving decision. Generally, online Black Friday deals are the same as those found in the store, which means online shoppers aren’t missing out on anything either.
Extra savings and discounts for Black Friday deals
Savvy shoppers will be able to claim further discounts to add to their Black Friday deals through the use of promo code websites such as Discoup.com, sites like this collate and check all the different codes for each retailer, listing them clearly on their site, codes are regularly updated and even include exclusive offers.
Examples of stores with great Black Friday promotions
Some stores are notorious for offering exceptional Black Friday deals. Here are some of the best: Macy’s, Target, Microsoft, Amazon and Meijer. Remember, offers from all these retailers differ depending on the year.
Ever thought about trying something new for your health? Most of us are used to…
If only purchasing a diamond tennis bracelet were as simple as wearing one. But these…
In the world of design, whether it’s fashion, home decor, or accessories, there's one element…
Isaac Sultan Cohen’s foray into the world of both art and philanthropy began with an…
The Smoky Mountains are a spectacular vacation destination, offering something for every type of traveler.…
Selecting high-end gifts for colleagues and clients reinforces relationships and shows appreciation. A gesture like…