In November, retailers around the world bring out the big guns in an attempt to ensure the best sales of the season. It is held the month before Christmas shopping, and this important date for all retailers is known as Black Friday. It began in the United States and was a day when retailers offered discounts. It is now an international event. In 2024, it is being celebrated on 29 November. However, contrary to popular opinion, Black Friday is not celebrated in the same way around the world.
The lesser-known origins of Black Friday
Bankruptcy, where everything starts
Let’s go back to the 19th century, when what we now know as Black Friday had no connection to retailing. Instead, it was originally related to the Stock Exchange in New York. It wasn’t even originally held in November, but instead took place on 24 September 1869.
Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, two Wall Street stockbrokers, joined forces with Boss Tweed, an influential New York politician, in an attempt to completely dominate the gold market. However, their ambitious plan soon failed when the price of gold suddenly fell, leading to the bankruptcy of countless investors. This dark episode became known as “Black Friday”.
A football match
Another possible explanation takes us back to the 1950s, almost a century later. After Thanksgiving that year, a football game between the Navy and the Army had been organised in Philadelphia. The huge number of people attending this event, added to those driving in to do some Christmas shopping, caused gridlock across the city.
In response to the chaos, many police officers were forced to work long shifts of up to twelve hours to try to keep the crowds under control. This day was nicknamed “Black Friday” because of the difficult working conditions the officers faced.
Over time, several retailers began using the term to refer to the large number of shoppers who flocked to the shops the day after Thanksgiving. Finally, in 1966, the term became even more popular when it was adopted by the influential newspaper The New York Times, which gave it the current meaning.
Big discounts
Black Friday, as we understand it today, did not become so popular until well into the 21st century. The event, one of big discounts and a shopping frenzy, made its official debut in 2003 when in the United States, retail giants such as Walmart and Sears began offering significant discounts.
Since then, this tradition has become more popular every year and has been adopted by both online and physical stores. It is so popular that it has now spread to other countries and is celebrated in many parts of the world.
How Black Friday is celebrated in different countries
Our translation agency is used to working with companies looking to either translate their online offers for this date or translate their marketing and communication documents so that they have the best possible positioning. That’s why, over time, we have become more aware of how this date is celebrated in different parts of the world.
1. United States
In the United States, all the shops offer significant discounts and there are huge queues, with the number of shoppers exceeding those seen in any other country. Without a doubt, Black Friday discounts do not get better than this.
Here, the date has become more than just a day of discounts and it is almost a national event! Early on the Friday morning, the shops open their doors and offer amazing discounts. Crowds of shoppers wait to be the first in line and grab the best deals, especially on electronics and toys.
2. United Kingdom
In the UK, Black Friday was not initially very popular due to a backlash against American cultural influences. However, in 2010, thanks to the persistence of marketplaces such as Amazon, this day became part of British culture. While the shopping frenzy has still not reached the levels seen in the United States, many Brits wait for this day to take advantage of the discounts on technology products and Christmas presents.
3. Mexico
In Mexico, they have their own day, called “El Buen Fin”, which takes place the week before Black Friday. El Buen Fin is a day of discounts and is promoted by the government and the private sector. However, Black Friday has also started to gain popularity, especially online, so shoppers can take advantage of discounts two weekends in a row.
4. India
In India, Black Friday is not really an event because the shopping seasons are so different to ours. There, one of the most important dates in the retail calendar is Independence Day, celebrated on 15 August. Black Friday does exist, but remains mainly limited to online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart. The celebration has caught on well with Indian shoppers, who also take advantage of local festivals like Diwali to make their biggest purchases of the year.
What are you waiting for?
Black Friday is no longer celebrated only in the United States and instead has become a global phenomenon. Each country has adapted the day of discounts to reflect its own culture and shopping preferences, in some cases even combining it with local events. However it is celebrated, Black Friday undoubtedly offers great opportunities for shoppers around the world.
Now that you know how it is celebrated in different countries, there is no time to waste! Contact us and we can help you with your international content.
