Black Friday is a date that historically began as a day of urban chaos and ended up becoming one of the greatest global symbols of consumerism.
The origins of this event, known for its discounts and long lines, go back to the 1960s in the city of… Philadelphia in USA. At the time, it wasn’t about group purchases, but rather a term used by local police to describe disruptions and complications caused by traffic and crowds after Thanksgiving.
The saturation of the streets, the pressure on the security forces, the increase in commercial activity and accidents marked the beginning of a name that would resign over time.
The conceptual shift for Black Friday came when traders saw an opportunity to channel disruption into a positive event for the sector. Noticing the day’s potential, they began promoting the narrative that their finances were moving from “red” to “black” thanks to a rebound in sales, making this day vital to their annual balance sheets.
Thus the idea of loss or chaos was put aside and made way for the vision of prosperity, which helped establish the habit of opening doors with unusual promotions.
During the 1980s, Black Friday It was finally standardized in the United States. Large retail chains took the initiative to institutionalize sales, intensifying competition between companies to attract the attention of as many customers as possible.
The scale of this phenomenon has reached such a degree that US sales in 2022 exceeded nine billion dollars on that day alone. These data show the extent to which the occasion has become an essential driver of the economy, in addition to the fact that it represents the undisputed beginning of the Christmas shopping season.
Starting in the last decade, the impact of Black Friday has transcended the borders of North America and inspired countries on different continents. Latin America, Europe and Asia have adapted this tradition, adjusting histories and strategies to adapt to the realities of each market.
Peru was no exception: since approximately 2012, this event has been held on national territory every last Friday of November, following in the footsteps of the American calendar. Both traditional and virtual businesses participate by offering discounts in diverse areas such as technology, clothing, hardware, etc., facilitating the advancement of e-commerce in Peru.
The big attraction of the day is the expectation of access to products at discounted prices. This enthusiasm leads many consumers to plan their purchases weeks in advance, compare offers and strategically select the most desirable products.
Nowadays, this phenomenon has evolved: digital platforms often enhance promotions, expand the range of history and multiply the choices for users, who no longer rely exclusively on visiting physical stores.
But popular Black Friday It has also attracted greater critical scrutiny. Various groups question the encouragement of excessive consumption and the negative effects on the environment of this “festival” of discounts.
Likewise, workers’ rights organizations have revealed complex situations for supermarket workers, who must face stressful days during the days of the highest demand. Initiatives such as Buy Nothing Day attempt to tackle wastefulness by advocating responsible consumption.
In the case of Peru, authorities intensified surveillance during Black Friday and alerted citizens to the possibility of fraud or deceptive campaigns occurring online. Popular recommendations revolve around the importance of checking the legitimacy of stores, checking the terms of promotions, and consulting trusted sources before making any transaction. In this way, the goal of taking advantage of good prices does not reduce the security of the purchasing experience.