Sunday, February 17, 2013

The Story Behind Black Friday

By Nea Brown


In the United States of America, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday is commonly called Black Friday. So what is Black Friday? It is the day when retailers traditionally lower prices on goods to kick-start the Christmas shopping season. Recently stores have opened early to maximize the number of shoppers in the day and create further publicity.

The origin of the name Black Friday has several explanations. Commentators have suggested that it is the day when retailers make most profit, so are "in the black". Academics report that the name derives from the Philadelphia Police. In that city, the first Christmas shopping day coincides with the annual Army vs Navy college football game. Traffic is therefore terrible and people flood the streets. The result is several accidents and a difficult day for the police force.

Over the last decade, it has become the busiest day of the year. Crowds of people descend on stores in a quest to find a bargain. Employers often allow staff to leave work early, or even give them the day off entirely. Over the last few years, retailers' definition of early opening has gone further and further. Many shops now open at 4 a. M. And some have started trading at midnight.

The early opening times have captured the public's imagination and many people line up outside the entrance to be one of the first. As this has become increasingly popular, people arrive ever earlier to get a good spot. Today, people often spend hours waiting for the store to open its doors.

So many people clamouring to get into a store raises several safety issues. It is important to ensure there is no crush when the doors are swung back. With people waiting for hours, it is essential that security guards or the police are present to maintain order. First aiders should be on hand as people staying overnight in November may fall ill.

Black Friday can be an exciting day for shoppers and retailers alike. It has become an event in the American calendar and shoppers clearly like it. Retailers nowadays record their biggest number of sales on this day. However, it is very important to handle the event efficiently. Any delays, cash-desk malfunctions or low stock levels can cause anger and thus create potential flash-points among a large crowd.

It is important to advertise the event well, as most of the competition will be doing something similar. Advertising should be done on local TV and on the internet. Promotions should target a few main products, along with smaller discounts on many other items. Publicity could also be made in coherence with the local weather. For example, if a shop is in a cold-climate city, the retailer could offer free soup to those waiting outside.

Advertising could focus on how well-prepared the store will be. Titled What Is Black Friday To You?, it could show a nameless store in chaos, then the perfect harmony of the advertised shop. This could be played on TV and another version online, which could go viral.




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