Black Friday 2025 – key dates, start times and more

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and is considered the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the retail industry.

On Black Friday, many retailers offer deep discounts, extended hours, super deals and special promotions to attract shoppers. Over time, it expanded to more than just one day. Many sales now begin before Thanksgiving (sometimes even in October) and extend into the weekend, tying in with Cyber ​​Monday and Cyber ​​Week.

A (somewhat complicated) history of Black Friday

Early uses of “Black Friday”

The first use of the term “Black Friday” wasn’t about shopping. The incident dates back to September 24, 1869, when financiers Jay Gould and James Fisk attempted to seize control of the U.S. gold market, causing a financial panic and a plunge in gold prices. The day became known as Black Friday.

The shift to post-Thanksgiving shopping in its original sense came much later, and the connection is indirect and hierarchical.

Mid-20th Century: Philadelphia and the Transportation Crisis

The Black Friday retail shopping experience began taking shape in Philadelphia in the 1950s and 1960s. After Thanksgiving, many out-of-town shoppers and tourists flocked to the city, combining holiday shopping with attendance at the annual Army-Navy football game held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Philadelphia police reportedly began calling the chaotic day Black Friday because of traffic jams, overloaded public transportation, crowd control burdens, and massive crowding of stores.

In the early 1950s, trade journals used “Black Friday” to refer to a wave of workplace absenteeism the day after Thanksgiving, when workers called in sick to extend their vacation.

There was also pressure to rebrand the event as ‘Big Friday’ to avoid negative connotations, but this was not accepted.

The meaning of sleeves continues

In the 1970s and 1980s, retailers began to embrace the term. One explanation often cited is accounting practice. Losses were written in red ink and profits were written in black ink, so Black Friday became the day when a retailer’s ledger shifted from red to black.

By 1993, Black Friday had officially become the busiest shopping day in the United States, surpassing Christmas in visitor numbers and sales activity. As e-commerce has grown, the meaning of Black Friday has changed. It is a day when large-scale sales are held not only in offline stores but also online.

Global spread and local variation

In recent decades, many countries outside the United States have adopted or adapted this concept, either copying the date or creating their own versions.

In Mexico, there is El Buen Fin (Good Weekend) in November. Some Muslim-majority countries, such as Egypt, changed the day to White Friday to avoid negative connotations. Many European countries have Black Weeks, offering discounts for several days or an entire week. Although the term is controversial in Australia due to its association with massive bushfires in the 1930s, retailers still embraced Black Friday shopping events in the 2010s.

Key dates and timeline

Here are some important recurring dates and trends every Black Friday watcher should know:

Since Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, Black Friday can fall between November 23rd and November 29th. Many retailers have moved beyond the confines of that Friday and now offer discounts ahead of Black Friday to spread demand, manage logistics and reduce crowd pressure. Some doorbell deals start late on Thanksgiving night or very early on Black Friday morning, enticing bargain hunters.

What Black Friday looks like today

Online vs. burial

In recent years, online shopping has become mainstream during Black Friday. Many consumers prefer to avoid crowded traffic, traffic and travel and instead shop from home. Retailers often provide an “omnichannel” experience by synchronizing in-store and online transactions and offering exclusive discounts in their mobile apps.

Despite digital transformation, in-store foot traffic remains an important metric for many retailers. Some exclusive or limited quantity items are only available in-store.

consumer spending

On Black Friday 2024, Americans spent $10.8 billion online alone, according to Adobe Analytics. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., shoppers spent more than $11 million per minute.
And these numbers don’t take into account any pre-Black Friday spending, such as in-store shopping, Singles’ Day or early holiday promotions.

Risk, Fraud and Safety Issues

You can score amazing deals on Black Friday, but you also need to be safe. Overcrowding and stampedes in stores have been known to cause injuries, and in rare cases, deaths during high-traffic sales.

Online, scammers can take advantage of the shopping rush. Common scams include fake deal sites, phishing emails linking to fraudulent stores, misleading advertisements and counterfeit products. Retailers responded with security protocols, queue management, crowd control, store entry restrictions and online authentication.

Shopping Tips and Strategies

Whether you’re a deal seeker or a cautious consumer, here are some proven strategies for navigating Black Friday smartly.

before sale

1. Set your budget in advance.
   When a 70% discount catches your eye, it’s easy to get hooked. Decide on your ceiling before you take the plunge.
2. Create a priority wish list.
   Knowing what items you actually want (and their regular price) will help you determine if the sale is a genuine deal or just marketing.
3. Track prices in advance.
   Use price tracking tools or browser extensions like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa to make sure the discount is real. Black Friday deals aren’t really deals because some stores inflate their regular prices.
4. Sign up for notifications, newsletters and loyalty programs.
   Many retailers offer early access, coupons, or additional discounts to subscribers or loyalty members.
5. Check our return policy and warranty.
   Some discounted items may have stricter return terms or may be on final sale. Always read the fine print.
6. Plan your time and route for in-store shopping.
   Find out which stores to visit, in what order, and how early to get in line. Consider travel times, parking, and store maps.
7. Protect your accounts and devices.
   Reduce your risk when shopping online or in apps by using a strong, unique password or a password manager. Turning on two-factor authentication; Make sure your device’s software is up to date. If you use a trusted payment method, such as a credit card with fraud protection, avoid shopping over unsecured public Wi-Fi.

On sale

1. When you find a good deal, act quickly.
   In particular, in the case of doorbusters or limited quantity items, you may miss out if you hesitate.
2. Compare in-store and online prices.
   Sometimes the same item may be cheaper online or a price match in store. Always search your competitors’ prices on your phone.
3. Redeem rewards points, cashback or credit card benefits.
   You can layer your savings whenever possible by combining discounts with cashback, gift card promotions, or credit card rewards.
4. Stay safe and use caution in crowds.
   If the store is too crowded, come back later. If you do venture out, keep your valuables safe, pay attention to exits, and avoid pushing or lunging aggressively.
5. Don’t forget about hidden costs.
   Be sure to read the details as shipping, handling, taxes and extended warranties may add up.

after sale

1. Organize receipts and track returns.
   Keep your receipt and order confirmation and double-check the return window.
2. Please rate your purchase.
   Build smarter shopping habits for years to come by evaluating whether you actually need to buy every item.
3. Find out our price adjustment policy.
   Some stores offer a short period of time to match the lower price you find after your purchase.
4. Beware of post-sale scams.
   Don’t click on unsolicited emails or links claiming to ‘confirm transaction’ or ‘account problem’. These are often phishing attempts.

For Retailers: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid

If you’re a store or e-commerce business running a Black Friday promotion, here are some strategic considerations to consider:

• Early planning: Inventory, logistics, and staffing must all be scalable.
• Teaser Campaign: Spread the word before the big day through emails, social media posts, and app push notifications.
• Segment Transactions: We offer exclusive deals to loyalty members, app users, and early access customers.
• Manage your shortfall wisely: Use limited quantity items, but don’t overpromise.
• Omnichannel integration: Synchronize inventory, prevent overselling, and enable in-store pickup.
• Customer Support: Expect an increase in returns, inquiries and complaints and plan your customer service staffing accordingly.
• Security and Fraud Prevention: Monitor suspicious transactions and protect your payment infrastructure.
• Post-mortem analysis: Analyze post-Black Friday sales data, margins, and what sold and didn’t sell. Apply this lesson to future events.

Why Black Friday Is More Than Just Deals

Black Friday is about more than just getting 20% ​​off a new TV or free shipping on some pillows. It accounts for a significant portion of consumer spending during the holiday season, and many retailers leverage it to generate annual revenue. It also helps define when and how people shop for gifts. Many people wait for Black Friday sales rather than buy early at regular price.

It also has deep cultural significance. There’s a lot of buzz on both traditional and social media, building excitement for the holiday season. Even in countries without a Thanksgiving tradition, the concept of Black Friday sales has been imported and adapted.

final thoughts

Black Friday has grown into much more than just one day of shopping. What started as a local transportation disruption in Philadelphia has morphed into a global retail holiday, now heavily influenced by digital commerce, social media, consumer expectations and logistical complexities.

It’s important for shoppers to stay informed, disciplined, and careful. For retailers, execution, adaptability and consumer trust are critical. And as retail continues to evolve through AI, augmented reality shopping, direct-to-consumer brands, and a focus on sustainability, the nature of Black Friday will continue to change.