Black Friday breakdown

On Thanksgiving Thursday, after everyone’s bellies have been filled, many Americans will be lining up outside favorite stores to hunt down the best deals of the year. Black Friday kicks off the bargain hunting season. Infamous for its chaos, it draws millions of shoppers and billions of dollars each year. Last year saw a decline of in-store sales, but internet sales continue to increase.

 History

The term “Black Friday” began in Philadelphia around 1966. It was originally used by the Philly Police Department to describe the weekend after Thanksgiving, when the Army and Navy football teams played each other, resulting in traffic and chaos throughout the city. During the 1970’s, however, the term was adopted by business owners and their accountants to explain the day that begins holiday shopping. This day has historically shot business’ bank accounts into the black. This is where the modern name for the day came from. Fitting, seeing as traffic and chaos are still key components to the Black Friday craze.

Owatonna’s Black Friday

Each year, the savings get bigger, and the stores open earlier. In 2011, stores began opening at midnight. Then, the following year, Wal-Mart made the big announcement that they would be opening their doors at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. This year, a majority of big name corporations will be opening Thanksgiving night. Here in Owatonna, Walmart, Target and Kohl’s will also begin the crazy savings before all of the turkey has been gobbled up. Target will be open from 6 p.m. Thursday evening to 10 p.m. on Friday. Likewise, Kohl’s will be opening its doors at 6 p.m. on Thursday and won’t be closing them until midnight on Saturday. But, probably the craziest of all is Wal-Mart, who will stay open 24- hours. Though they will be open all Thanksgiving day, stores won’t begin cutting prices to Black Friday standards until 6 p.m.

Just up the interstate, Medford Outlet Mall is having extended hours of their own. On Thanksgiving Thursday, the mall will be open 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Friday, only pausing the shopping sprees for a few hours before reopening at 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Cyber-Monday

Internet shopping has boomed in the past couple years. To keep up with this trend, Cyber Monday was introduced in 2005. Cyber Monday begins at midnight the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend. Last year, the average internet order on Cyber Monday was $135.27 (TechCrunch). Amazon.com is the most trafficked website during that Monday. Last year, Amazon says they shipped the 37 million items ordered from their website to 185 countries last year.

Hey, Check These Fun Links Out!

Death and Injury Due to Black Friday Shopping: http://blackfridaydeathcount.com/

Best Deals and Coupons: https://blackfriday.com/

Facts & Stats from 2013

Chart Sources: CNN Money, Tech Crunch and Amazon.com