In past years, Black Friday was an unofficial shopping “holiday” of the United States. During Thanksgiving, families would sit at the dining table and talk about their favorite deals to come. The next day, people would line up outside stores before daylight, sprinting through the aisles for discounted items for 50% or more. However, in recent years, Black Friday has undergone significant change.
One major change is the timing of sales. Black Friday is no longer simply one day. Many stores begin their sales a week or even weeks in advance. This change allows companies to encourage customers to make more purchases by spreading out their sales. Black Friday used to be a single day, but it has turned into a marketing strategy for companies.
Another change is the transfer to online shopping. With stores like Amazon, many people prefer to buy items from the comfort of their home rather than standing in crowded lines. Furthermore, Cyber Monday has essentially blended in with Black Friday by becoming a long weekend of online deals. As a result, many physical stores and malls are less crowded than they were in the past. The excitement of waiting in lines before daylight and fighting over the last discounted TV has turned into clicking buttons while sitting on a couch.
But the most significant change is in the way consumerism influences people. In the past, Black Friday was an opportunity to purchase items people needed at a lower price; however, now companies use advanced advertising to convince consumers to buy items they didn’t plan for through targeted ads or limited sales, all while social media influences their purchasing decisions. It’s easier now than ever before to purchase items that aren’t even necessary.
Overall, Black Friday may never return to its intense, early-morning days, but it continues to evolve and adapt to the new demands of consumers and companies. It’s essential to recognize how companies influence choices and purchases, enabling people to spend their money more thoughtfully and resist the new advertising tactics of companies and the evolving consumerism in the United States.
