Words I heard on my favorite day of the year, “Wake up Sav! It’s time to go shopping!” Nov. 29 — Black Friday. Growing up, my mom and I loved Black Friday. Born and raised a shop-a-holic, I jumped at the sales of some of my favorite stores: Hollister, Aeropostale and Urban Outfitters. The tradition was simple — wake up at 4 a.m., be at the mall by 6 a.m. sharp and enjoy the car ride with my mom.
It was not until this year that I realized something — where did Black Friday go?
Because of the pandemic back in 2020, many retailers suffered financially when supply change issues affected product availability.
Unfortunately, a big reason why Black Friday has plummeted is because of the rise of online shopping. In 2023, 121.4 million people visited physical stores on Black Friday, but in 2022, it was 122.7 million. This is only a decrease of 1%, but over the years it has declined little by little.
What catches shoppers now in particular is Cyber Monday, a major online shopping event held the Monday after Thanksgiving. Customers now choose to shop from the comfort of their own homes rather than physically visiting stores on Black Friday.
Over recent years, a lot of online shopping sites have gained popularity due to the rise in fast fashion. Sites like Edikted, Pretty Little Thing and Evry Jewels host huge sales and are promoted amongst influencers on TikTok and Instagram.
Do not get me wrong, I too enjoy sitting in my bed and finding clothes digitally — maybe it has to do with age? But recently, I have missed the long lines, sharing an exciting moment with my mother and feeling the tense atmosphere and competitive nature of the holiday.
In 2023, many people expressed their disbelief at today’s Black Friday “discounts” on social media, as they believed the deals were not significant enough to be worthy of the annual day-after-Thanksgiving retail tradition. Some even went as far as believing that stores either raised prices or kept them the same while still labeling them as a Black Friday deal.
To some, the decrease in the holiday’s stigma is a good thing. Years ago, fist fights starting at just midnight would break out amongst the crowds of people waiting for these deals. Shoppers would get injured and were often found in brawls. However, like the rest of retailing, so much has changed.
Stores like Apple, Tiffany’s and Patagonia do not participate in the sales. What is even worse, is the fact that brands like REI and Monki stopped participating in Black Friday after having years of success during the Black Friday craze. Monki goes as far as mocking Black Friday as “Black Fri-Nay.”
Black Friday has always been the perfect day for my family members and myself to shop for early Christmas gifts. There were always the best deals and by then, malls were usually decorated, so you could really feel the Christmas spirit. I would film hauls on my makeshift camera and indulge in all the treats I received. It was not until this year that I realized, I had not felt that sensation in a while. I guess my mother has too felt the shift in Black Friday, because we usually prioritize scoring deals on Cyber Monday now.
Being a senior, I crave to spend the day seriously again this year, withholding the tradition I so greatly loved. As this is one of my last years at home, I crave the feeling of youth again and riding with my mom to our favorite shops, picking out fan favorites. This year, I hope to find some good Black Friday deals, and am just happy that it is a priority for my mom and I again — even without the holiday craze.
