Several years ago, Black Friday was a day filled with consumer joy and utter chaos. Whether it was camping outside of stores in the early hours of the morning, or getting into a fist fight for a desired item, people everywhere were determined to secure these rare deals. Casual shoppers would avoid the mall, as every store was raided and packed. As ironic as it is that this holiday takes place after Thanksgiving, a day dedicated to thankfulness and community, the unhinged behavior of many shoppers back then is not that surprising. Nobody wanted to miss out on the incredible deals and bargains. Black Friday may have been every retail worker’s worst nightmare, but it was also a dream for those who appreciated buying things for dirt cheap.
With the increased popularity of the internet and online shopping in the present day, bargains are not hard to come by. With the help of online shopping tools like Honey, consumers are able to search the web for their desired items at the cheapest price. They are also able to find products not available in-store, making it an ideal shopping method. Yet, with the increased accessibility of and exposure to these deals, the cheaper prices of Black Friday are less rewarding. Ava DeMarco ‘24 shares, “I think the deals were better in the past, but now they just kind of take previous sales, change the color, and put ‘Black Friday’ on it. I appreciate the sales, and I’ll still spend too much money regardless.”
The internet has also blurred the definition of Black Friday, with sales starting weeks before and until Cyber Monday. Now, instead of a “once-in-a-lifetime deal,” shoppers can assume that a product they wish to purchase will remain at a similar price for a while. As Mei Salemi ‘24 states, “[The deals] are horrible! It’s like it’s not even Black Friday.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the sharp decline of Black Friday as well. Many businesses suffered through the quarantine, with the staggering loss of foot traffic and sales. According to aarp.com, many large corporations and small businesses filed for bankruptcy due to the pandemic, including Brooks Brothers, Century 21, JCPenney, and more. Simply put, it is hard to enjoy the variety of deals offered on Black Friday when said variety is depleting.
Despite its decrease in popularity, Black Friday still remains a good opportunity for many people to purchase their desired items at a reasonable price. With the ever rising popularity of the internet and online shopping, witnessing the decline of Black Friday’s typical insanity is bittersweet for many, due to the nostalgia and memories associated with the holiday. However, there are still positive aspects of its changing atmosphere. Thanks to the hard work of many dedicated shoppers, the best deals are posted online for others to take advantage of.
Black Friday’s gradual shift is reflective of our culture, as we become more dependent on technology as a whole. While not necessarily a negative thing, the shift to online shopping and the internet will have impacts for years to come. It is hard to tell what this entails for in-person shopping and malls, but no matter what the method is, shoppers will never give up the opportunity to secure a great deal.
