It’s nearly that time of year again…
Christmas? No, no, no.
Black Friday!
For some reason this year, the shopping frenzy piqued my interest.
Where the heck did it come from, because I don’t really remember it being a ‘thing’ in Australia until quite recently?
Okay I know it’s American but what’s its history?
Apparently the first recorded use of the name Black Friday was to describe the gold market crash of September 24, 1869, when a scheme to manipulate America’s gold markets backfired, resulting in numerous bankruptcies across the country.
Well that’s not good!
The modern version began in the States back in the 1980s when it became synonymous as a day for big deals in retail.
It officially falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, with the notion being it’s a way to bring retailers back into the black.
The shopping day reference was gradually introduced to Australia, particulary after Apple held Black Friday sales here in 2013.
But the name is not without controversy.
Historically, Black Friday refers to bushfires in Victoria on January 13, 1939.
Seventy one people died and more than 1,000 homes were destroyed.
Over the years there have been calls for an alternative name for the shopping day, so the memory of the disaster is not forgotten.
Big Friday, or Friday Frenzy have been suggested.
I’ve never really been that bothered or interested in these big sales, although I must admit I have made one purchase this year.
Despite the fact it isn’t Black Friday until November 29th – many retailers are already running their sales.
Nowadays it seems to start and finish anywhere before and after the official Friday.
The cost of living crisis increases the need to shop around for bargains – especially with Christmas rapidly approaching.
But it is worth shopping wisely.
Consumer watchdog Choice says it’s seeing retailers hold more sales throughout the year, and the discounts on offer often rival most of those we see on Black Friday.
Interestingly, in their June 2023 Consumer Pulse survey, only 26% of respondents said they thought Black Friday offered better deals than the Boxing Day, or End of Financial Year, sales.
As I was digging around I also discovered an alternative way to mark this Friday.
Buy Nothing Day began in Canada in 1992 as a protest day, to raise awareness of the ‘negative consequences of rampant consumerism’.
It’s invariably described as a day:
…to counteract the madness of holiday shopping, by encouraging a mindful and environmentally friendly attitude toward post-feast purchasing.
I quite like that.
Ann 🙏