Why is it called Black Friday?
 

Yes, I know it is still early in the year to be discussing shopping for bargains the day after Thanksgiving but bear with me a minute.

Sooner than we may realize, the forums will be bubbling with information about the wonderful offerings the retail community will have for us for this holiday season on the day after Thanksgiving. We will plan our short term tactics and long term strategies for making our holiday purchases based on the information presented in these forums.

Before the first thread is posted, can someone please tell me the origin of why the Friday after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday? That name carries such a negative connotation and does not represent it very well.

I'm for giving this day a new name, a name that is better suited to it. Several pop into my mind. Consumer Rewards Day, no too long. Fool's day, no already done. Deals Day, nice alliteration but who am I to decide.

Lets discuss the possibility of a name change for the day after Thanksgiving and decide upon a name worthy of its greatness to us all.

Ever work a mall McDonald's on that day? Separates the men from the crying, whimpering puddles hiding in the break room. Not a pretty sight. I did a few of them.

It could mean black as in "black ink" where businesses used to put losses in red ink and profits in black ink. The aformentioned McDonald's didn't too hot except for the day after Thanksgiving thru Christmas, and it was enough to keep it going thru the rest of the year.

Probably because it's a dark soul-sucking nightmare of a day. Nothing blackens the heart more than fighting angry moms over a bargain at 5am.

das

Because that's the day I always go to the mall, get on one knee, and sing "Mamie."

Because that's when retailer's hope to be in the "black" -- profitable

Moving to Store Forum.

Because when you work retail...this day is the most dreaded day of the entire year.

Forget x-mas eve...or even the after x-mas return rush...this day is pure hell.

Death is more favorable than working the morning of Black Friday.


I find the name Black Friday to be very fitting on a day like that.

rotfl

Ahhh....you've obviously never worked this day in commission sales!!!

Commission Sales on that day would be a dream come true.



I'll correct my previous statement....non-commission retail work on that day is utter hell.

Working at Toys R Us on that day Is the worst experience a person could EVER have. I will NEVER EVER do that again.

actually I worked at TRU during one such Black Friday, got there at 4:30am so we could open at 5:00am...but I had an easy job...I ran the free-bee desk...so I did not have to do crap it was easy, and I got out at 1 in the afternoon....happy gee

Just an interesting side note. As a person who has worked many "Black Fridays" at Toys R Us, they don't call it that. The TRU term for the day after Thanksgiving is GREEN Friday. :)

*Sigh* I'll probably be there again this year too.

X

That term makes sense.

Correct...The whole black/red thing is an accounting thing.

In theory, retailers run at a loss most of the year until "black Friday" in which profits exceed costs for the year.