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A time of the year when shoppers become campers and spend hours camping in front of their favorite store to make sure that they grab the best deals possible.
But have you ever wondered where the term 'Black Friday' that transforms normal citizens into crazy shoppers came from? Also, did you know that this day is also celebrated as 'Buy Nothing Day'?
There are many interesting facts, myths and some sad stories associated with Black Friday:
- It is believed that the term 'Black Friday' originated in Philadelphia by its police department. Since the day after Thanksgiving is considered to be the onset of holiday shopping, the streets are in utter chaos with traffic jams and fanatic shoppers. It became customary for officers, bus drivers and cab drivers to refer to this day as 'Black Friday'.
- It is a common myth that the term 'Black Friday' came from Stock Market crash in 1929. In fact the crash happened on a Tuesday.
- About 20 people were injured when a woman used pepper spray on fellow shoppers to get her hands on latest Xbox.
- Last year's top 10 Black Friday retailers were: Amazon, Target, JCPenny, Sears, The Home Depot, Kohl's, Barnes & Noble, Sam's, Macy's and Walmart.
- In 2011, Black Friday sale rose to $11.4 billion, with an exceptional 6.6% increase from last year; this was one of the biggest increase since 2007 (8.7%).
- In 2008, a Walmart employee was trampled to death by a stampede caused by fanatic shoppers.
- With Black Friday, another term Black/Gray Thursday came into being. It was initiated by Walmart last year who began their holiday sale on Thanksgiving at 10 pm. This year they plan to begin Black Friday sale at 8 pm.
- Black Friday also gave birth to 'Buy Nothing Day' by social activists against consumerism. It was promoted by a magazine, Adbusters from Canada to mark a day to examine the issue of over-consumption. When they tried to spread the trend in America, Adbusters were denied of advertising time by all television networks except CNN.
- It is believed that Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, but thanks to laid back shoppers who prefer last-minute shopping on weekend before Christmas, it made Black Friday the second most busiest shopping day of the year.
- Black Friday also marks a holiday season for scammers and spammers who for the next 4 weeks target online shoppers. In 2010 'Best Buy Black Friday' was used to push fake anti-virus called 'Internet Security Suite'.
Stay tuned for Cyber Monday fun facts.
Really interesting facts about Black Friday. The first myth where the police department termed the day as black is most interesting to me. In that day, they have a lot of works to do. So they can say it Black Friday. Thanks for sharing the facts.
Shiful
Alam
You are welcome Shiful, we are glad you enjoyed reading them. :)
It is just horrifying, what has happened on Black Friday this year http://bit.ly/YjCkap
What a great content you have on your website. It's really interesting.
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