In the United States of America, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday is commonly called Black Friday. So what is Black Friday? It is the day when retailers traditionally lower prices on goods to kick-start the Christmas shopping season. Recently stores have opened early to maximize the number of shoppers in the day and create further publicity.
There are a few theories as to how the term Black Friday came about. People often think that it comes from the idea that it is the day when retailers begin to make profit. However, academics believe it originated as a term used by Philadelphia police. They saw it as a nightmare day with heavy traffic, frustrations and consequently many accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles. This was caused by the combination of the first day of Christmas shopping and the annual Army-Navy college American football game.
In the last few years, it has become the most popular shopping day of the year. Swathes of people go to stores to find the perfect discount. Many employers give staff time off work to shop. Some even give them the entire day off. Over the last ten years, early opening has taken on a new meaning. Many stores open at four in the morning. Some even open at midnight.
The public reaction to early opening has been to form lines outside the store entrance in anticipation of the opening. As more and more people stated to do this, the earlier people came to the stores. Nowadays, people commonly spend hours outside the store to get a good place in the line.
With the large number of shoppers waiting outside, many safety issues are raised. There is a significant risk of a crush when the doors open, so the entrance has to be well monitored. The whole event has to be well stewarded by security or police to make sure order is kept. Paramedics should be quickly available in event of people falling ill, especially those waiting overnight.
The day called Black Friday can be a hugely positive day for both the public and stores. Today it is an event in the American year and it is clearly liked. Shops nowadays hit their highest sales volumes. Yet, it is essential that the event is well coordinated. Delays, slow cash-desks or lack of stock can make customers angry and create difficult situations in a large crowd.
As most stores take part in the event, it is essential to have a well-targeted ad campaign. The campaign should be on local television as well as online. Sales should be concentrated on a few core products as well as lower reductions on others across the store. Promotions could also fall in line with the local weather. If a store in a city with a cold climate is to open at midnight, free soup could be offered to those waiting.
Advertising could focus on how well-prepared the store will be. Titled What Is Black Friday To You?, it could show a nameless store in chaos, then the perfect harmony of the advertised shop. This could be played on TV and another version online, which could go viral.
There are a few theories as to how the term Black Friday came about. People often think that it comes from the idea that it is the day when retailers begin to make profit. However, academics believe it originated as a term used by Philadelphia police. They saw it as a nightmare day with heavy traffic, frustrations and consequently many accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles. This was caused by the combination of the first day of Christmas shopping and the annual Army-Navy college American football game.
In the last few years, it has become the most popular shopping day of the year. Swathes of people go to stores to find the perfect discount. Many employers give staff time off work to shop. Some even give them the entire day off. Over the last ten years, early opening has taken on a new meaning. Many stores open at four in the morning. Some even open at midnight.
The public reaction to early opening has been to form lines outside the store entrance in anticipation of the opening. As more and more people stated to do this, the earlier people came to the stores. Nowadays, people commonly spend hours outside the store to get a good place in the line.
With the large number of shoppers waiting outside, many safety issues are raised. There is a significant risk of a crush when the doors open, so the entrance has to be well monitored. The whole event has to be well stewarded by security or police to make sure order is kept. Paramedics should be quickly available in event of people falling ill, especially those waiting overnight.
The day called Black Friday can be a hugely positive day for both the public and stores. Today it is an event in the American year and it is clearly liked. Shops nowadays hit their highest sales volumes. Yet, it is essential that the event is well coordinated. Delays, slow cash-desks or lack of stock can make customers angry and create difficult situations in a large crowd.
As most stores take part in the event, it is essential to have a well-targeted ad campaign. The campaign should be on local television as well as online. Sales should be concentrated on a few core products as well as lower reductions on others across the store. Promotions could also fall in line with the local weather. If a store in a city with a cold climate is to open at midnight, free soup could be offered to those waiting.
Advertising could focus on how well-prepared the store will be. Titled What Is Black Friday To You?, it could show a nameless store in chaos, then the perfect harmony of the advertised shop. This could be played on TV and another version online, which could go viral.
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Black Friday 2013 is right around the corner. Learn all you need to know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
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