Web Desk: Retailers across the United States are preparing for Black Friday, the traditional launch of the holiday shopping season and a crucial period that often delivers a third of their annual profits. The five-day stretch from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday is expected to draw record crowds, even as economic pressures temper spending enthusiasm.
Origins of ‘Black Friday’
The term “Black Friday” first emerged in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, when city police used it to describe the traffic jams and congestion caused by suburban shoppers flooding into the city after Thanksgiving. It was not until the late 1980s that retailers reframed the phrase to suggest the moment their balance sheets shifted from losses “in the red” to profits “in the black,” thanks to holiday sales.
Shoppers Set to Break Records
The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts that nearly 187 million people will shop between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday surpassing last year’s 183 million and setting a new record.
Holiday sales for November and December are expected to exceed $1 trillion for the first time, though growth is projected to slow to between 3.7% and 4.2%, down from last year’s 4.8% rise. Shoppers are expected to spend an average of $890 per person, according to the NRF.
However, data firms and retailers warn that inflation and shifting trade dynamics continue to influence consumer behavior, leading shoppers to prioritize discounts and avoid high-priced purchases. Companies including Tapestry, Bath & Body Works and Deckers have already issued cautious outlooks for the holiday period.
Deep Discounts Fuel Competition
Adobe Analytics predicts online promotions will reach up to 28% off similar to last year with many customers shifting spending toward higher-value items offering the steepest cuts.
Retailers have moved aggressively to secure early sales. Walmart launched its Black Friday campaign on Nov. 14, running in phases through Dec. 1, with Walmart+ members receiving first access. Amazon kicked off its weeklong Black Friday deals on Nov. 20, while Macy’s opened an “early access” portal on Nov. 10. Kohl’s began marking down items on Nov. 7, and Target rolled out its promotions on Nov. 23.
What Shoppers Are Buying
Major electronics and home goods are driving this year’s headline deals. Walmart is offering an 85-inch TCL Roku TV for $498, down from $678, and a Blackstone outdoor grill marked down to $157 from $225.
Best Buy’s discounts include a 65-inch Samsung TV reduced by half to $1,000 and steep price cuts on Lenovo Yoga and HP laptops. Beauty retailer Ulta is promoting deals across top brands such as MAC, Tarte, Sol de Janeiro, Olaplex and Estée Lauder.
Apple is offering gift cards up to $250 on select devices, while Amazon has slashed prices on MacBook Air models by at least 21%.
As retailers compete to attract early holiday spending, analysts say consumer appetite for bargains may determine whether this year’s shopping season delivers the strong finish businesses hope for.
