Black Friday is more than just another shopping day—it’s a global retail event that drives massive sales and excitement. 2024 was no different and this year, in 2025, you can only expect to be bigger than ever. Every year, millions of consumers hunt for the best deals, while retailers prepare months in advance to capitalize on the surge in sales. What started as an in-store shopping frenzy has evolved into one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, with eCommerce playing an increasingly dominant role.
For online retailers, understanding the history and surprising facts about Black Friday can make a huge difference in how they prepare their marketing strategies. The more retailers know about this massive shopping event, the better they can position their businesses to attract more customers, increase conversions, and maximize revenue.
With that in mind, let’s dive into 10 fun facts about Black Friday that will not only surprise you but also help your online store make the most of this year’s event.
The Origins of Black Friday: More Than Just Sales
While today’s Black Friday is synonymous with doorbuster deals and digital discounts, the term didn’t originally refer to shopping at all. The phrase “Black Friday” first appeared in the 1800s, describing financial market crashes. One notable example occurred in 1869, when a stock market scandal caused the price of gold to plummet, sending Wall Street into chaos.
Jump to the 1950s, and Philadelphia police began calling it “Black Friday” because of the massive traffic and packed stores after Thanksgiving. Retailers weren’t thrilled with the name at first due to its negative tone. But instead of rejecting the term, they rebranded it—framing Black Friday as the day when businesses finally turned a profit for the year, moving from “in the red” to “in the black.”
Today, Black Friday has grown far beyond a single day of shopping, and its impact stretches across both physical and digital storefronts.
10 Fun Facts About Black Friday That You Didn’t Know
Black Friday isn’t just about scoring crazy deals—it’s got a history packed with surprising twists. From its unexpected origins to record-breaking shopping sprees, there’s a lot more to this retail frenzy than meets the eye. Let’s dive into some wild and little-known facts that make Black Friday even more interesting!
1. Black Friday Wasn’t Always About Shopping
Long before it became associated with massive discounts, “Black Friday” described financial disasters. The name took on its retail meaning only in the mid-20th century, and even then, it wasn’t meant as a positive term at first.
Marketing Tip: Knowing the history of Black Friday can help retailers craft more engaging storytelling in their marketing campaigns. Sharing this unique fact in an email or social media post could spark curiosity and boost engagement.
2. Online Sales Now Surpass In-Store Sales
Ecommerce has officially taken over Black Friday. In recent years, online spending has consistently outpaced in-store purchases. In 2023, U.S. shoppers spent a staggering $9.8 billion online during Black Friday.
Marketing Tip: Online retailers should optimize their websites for high traffic, ensure fast load times, and streamline checkout processes to handle the surge in online shoppers.
3. Some Countries Have Banned Black Friday
Not everyone is on board with the Black Friday craze. Some countries, including France and Mexico, have tried to curb or regulate Black Friday sales, arguing that it encourages overconsumption and unfair competition.
Marketing Tip: If your eCommerce store operates internationally, be mindful of regional shopping behaviors and consider running tailored promotions for different markets.
4. Cyber Monday Was Created Because of Black Friday
The popularity of Black Friday paved the way for Cyber Monday in 2005, after retailers saw a surge in online shopping the Monday following Thanksgiving. This shopping event was designed to encourage eCommerce growth, and today, it’s just as big—if not bigger—than Black Friday itself.
Marketing Tip: Extend Black Friday deals into Cyber Monday to maximize sales. Offering exclusive online-only discounts can help maintain momentum.
5. Mobile Shopping is Dominating Black Friday
In 2023, over 50% of Black Friday purchases were made on mobile devices. Consumers increasingly prefer shopping from their smartphones, making mobile optimization crucial for any eCommerce store.
Marketing Tip: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, has a fast checkout process, and offers easy payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
6. Luxury Retailers Benefit Just as Much as Discount Stores
Black Friday isn’t just for budget shoppers. High-end retailers also see massive sales spikes, with brands like Apple, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton offering exclusive deals.
Marketing Tip: If you sell premium products, don’t shy away from participating. Offering “exclusive” Black Friday deals instead of deep discounts can attract luxury buyers.
7. Email Marketing Still Drives More Black Friday Sales Than Social Media
Even with the growth of social media ads, email marketing still leads the way in driving Black Friday sales. Targeted emails with personalized deals tend to convert better than social media promotions.
Marketing Tip: Plan an email marketing campaign with teaser deals, countdown reminders, and VIP early access promotions.
8. The Psychology of Black Friday Discounts
Black Friday deals aren’t just about price cuts—they’re about urgency. Limited-time offers, flash sales, and “only X left in stock” messages create a sense of scarcity that drives shoppers to buy.
Marketing Tip: Use urgency-driven tactics in your promotions, such as countdown timers and limited-quantity offers.
9. The Most Popular Black Friday Purchases
Electronics, fashion, and home goods remain top-selling categories, with gaming consoles, smart gadgets, and TVs experiencing the biggest sales surges.
Marketing Tip: If your store carries these hot-selling items, make them the star of your Black Friday promotions. If not, try bundling slower-moving products with high-demand ones to increase sales.
10. Black Friday Has Transformed into a Weeks-Long Shopping Extravaganza
Black Friday has grown far beyond a single day, turning into a weeks-long shopping event. Many retailers now kick off “Black Friday Week” sales, with some rolling out deals as early as the start of November.
Marketing Tip: Start promoting deals early to grab the attention of eager shoppers and keep the momentum going through the holiday season.
How These Fun Facts Can Help Your eCommerce Store Win
Knowing these fun facts isn’t just interesting—it’s valuable for crafting a winning Black Friday strategy. Here’s how you can apply these insights:
- Leverage Mobile Optimization – With most Black Friday purchases now happening on mobile devices, ensure your website is fast, easy to navigate, and checkout-friendly to maximize sales.
- Use Email Marketing for Maximum Impact – Create a strategic Black Friday email campaign with teaser deals, personalized recommendations, and exclusive discounts for subscribers.
- Build Early Buzz with Pre-Black Friday Promotions – Shoppers start looking for deals in early November, so don’t wait until the last minute to promote your sales.
- Tap Into Consumer Psychology – Flash sales, countdown timers, and “only X left” messaging can drive urgency and increase conversions.
- Extend Sales Beyond Black Friday – Keep momentum going with Cyber Monday and extended holiday deals.
Prepare for Black Friday Success with Bluesoft Design
Black Friday presents a huge opportunity for eCommerce stores, but success requires careful planning and smart strategies. A well-designed website, strategic digital marketing, and conversion optimization are key to maximizing sales.
Bluesoft Design specializes in eCommerce web design, SEO, PPC, and website management to help online retailers thrive during the holiday shopping season. Whether you need a website upgrade, a high-performing Black Friday ad campaign, or expert SEO to attract shoppers, our team has you covered with our Full Service Ecommerce Solutions.
Contact Bluesoft Design Today to maximize your Black Friday sales potential!
