Black Friday traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season and watching one Black Friday ad after another definitely gets you in the mood to shop. Since Thanksgiving comes early this year, that means Black Friday is early as well, and that means more holiday shopping days (and a longer length of time to hear "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" in the malls and the radio.) 

How Did Black Friday Get Its Name?

For most retailers, the day after Thanksgiving is the day of the year they start turning a profit, or as we say in accounting jargon, moving from the red to the black.

But...that doesn't mean it is the biggest shopping day of the year. It is the day with the most shopping traffic for the year. More often than not, the busiest shopping day of the year is the last Saturday before Christmas. For me the busiest shopping day of the year would be the very last shopping day before Christmas. Apparently the lady in Target's Black Friday ad last year is busy all the time.

What Does the 2012 Holiday Season Look Like?

It's estimated that holiday sales will rise about 3% from 2010 to about $465 Billion and it will be more crowded than last year because 62% of shoppers plan to stand in line on Black Friday, compared to only 54% from last year. So...get out your suits of armour to protect yourself from those mobs, which is why they should really call it "Black and Blue Friday."

This year shoppers will be better informed as studies indicate tablet owners plan to use their devices to compare prices, especially with the proliferation of apps available to help you out. Of course, with a Black Friday ad every five minutes, there should be some great advertised deals as well.

Also this year stores seem to be opening earlier than ever, with Macy's opening at midnight, as indicated in their Black Friday ad featuring none other than Justin Bieber:

Shopping From Home on Black Friday

If you'd like to avoid the holiday crowds and the black and blue of Black Friday, then you might want to give QVC a try. They have a very subdued Black Friday ad that suggests having a peaceful Black Friday is the best way to have one.

Is there a Black Friday ad that will lure you to shopping on the day after Thanksgiving?

Posted
AuthorMax
CategoriesSaving Money