Friday 24th November 2023 - Black Friday

With Christmas around the corner, the annual retail Black Friday emerges, enticing consumers with tempting deals and discounts.

Originating from the US, this retail extravaganza has firmly planted its flag in the UK's shopping calendar. With flash deals and online bargains, consumers eagerly anticipate discounts on a wide array of products.

The Origins of Black Friday

Black Friday emerged in America in the mid-20th century as a post-Thanksgiving shopping event.

Although its exact origins are unclear, one theory suggests it started in Philadelphia in the 1950s or '60s.

The police initially used the term "Black Friday" when describing the disorder and congestion caused by shoppers visiting stores on the day following Thanksgiving.

It marked the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

Another explanation ties it to retailers' efforts to turn their financial records from "red" (indicating losses) to "black" (indicating profits).

As per this narrative, retailers aimed to kick off the holiday shopping season with big sales, drawing in huge crowds and boosting their profits.

Over time, Black Friday evolved from a humble single-day event into a whole weekend of deals and discounts.

With the rise of online shopping, Cyber Monday became an extension, offering similar discounts for online shoppers.

But regardless of its exact origins, Black Friday has morphed into a cultural phenomenon, not just in the U.S. but also globally.

Retailers leverage it as a strategic opportunity to entice shoppers with unbeatable deals, setting the tone for the holiday shopping rush.

When Did Black Friday Start in the UK?

Black Friday became prominent in the UK around 2010 when Amazon introduced Black Friday deals to British customers.

It initially gained traction among online retailers, and by 2013, physical stores began adopting the concept.

However, it wasn't until 2014 that Black Friday truly exploded in the UK, marked by scenes of chaotic crowds and an intense shopping frenzy similar to its American counterpart.

The day's popularity continued to surge, with retailers offering significant discounts, leading to both excitement and controversy because of overcrowding and logistical challenges.

Since then, Black Friday has firmly embedded itself in the UK retail calendar, becoming a crucial event for both online and brick-and-mortar stores, marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

Which Companies Do Black Friday in the UK?

Black Friday in the UK is embraced by a wide array of retailers across various industries.

Major players like Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, Tesco, Asda, Currys PC World, and Apple regularly participate, offering substantial discounts on electronics, home appliances, fashion, beauty products, and more.

Online retailers such as eBay and fashion outlets like ASOS also join in, attracting shoppers with competitive deals and promotions.

Additionally, department stores like Debenhams and Marks & Spencer, along with tech-focused stores like GAME, often have Black Friday sales.

The event has expanded beyond traditional retail, with travel companies like Ryanair and airlines such as British Airways also running Black Friday promotions, making it a widespread and eagerly anticipated shopping event for consumers seeking discounts across various sectors.

Do Some Retailers Not Take Part in Black Friday?

Several reasons might lead retailers to abstain from participating in Black Friday.

Some businesses choose to avoid it because of the potential negative impact on their brand image. They may prioritize maintaining a premium or exclusive brand perception rather than engaging in highly discounted sales events.

Additionally, smaller retailers might find it challenging to compete with larger corporations offering significant discounts. For them, participating in Black Friday might not be financially feasible or could potentially erode their profit margins.

Moreover, some companies opt out to sidestep the logistical complexities and strain on resources that accompany massive sales events.

Managing inventory, handling the increased website traffic, and ensuring a smooth customer experience during Black Friday can be a worry for certain retailers.

Lastly, ethical or sustainability concerns may cause businesses to think twice about participating in what's often seen as a hyper-consumerist event, as some retailers align their values with promoting responsible consumption rather than heavily discounted sales.

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday emerged as a response to the growing trend of online shopping and became a counterpart to the in-store Black Friday sales.

Once again in the U.S., the term was coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation after retailers observed a surge in online sales on the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend.

This spike in online shopping was attributed to people returning to work and using their office computers to take advantage of internet connections to make purchases.

Initially, Cyber Monday offered online retailers a chance to extend the holiday shopping hype beyond the weekend, enticing consumers with exclusive online deals and discounts.

Over the years, it evolved into a significant shopping event, with retailers capitalizing on the convenience of online shopping, offering special promotions, and driving sales for everything from electronics to fashion and beyond.

Today, Cyber Monday remains a key date in the holiday shopping calendar, catering to the increasing preference for online shopping.