This Friday is probably the one Friday that many have bookmarked, saved alarms as well as countdowns for. To Americans, it’s the day after Thanksgiving. But to many around the globe, 29 November is also the biggest consumer holiday in the world.
That’s right, we’re talking about Black Friday.
Why is it called Black Friday?
from Black Friday GIFs via Gfycat
Black Friday was already a shopping event long before it got its name. In America, people would call in sick the day after Thanksgiving to give themselves a long weekend. Since shops were still open, people would make use of their “day off” to get a head start on their holiday shopping.
Eventually, the sheer amount of shoppers doing this created traffic accidents and violence, and the police coined the phrase to describe the mayhem (and occasionally, violence) surrounding this day.
Retailers wanted the name to mean something positive instead and tried to use it to encourage people to spend and shop by offering deep discounts only available on that day.
Black Friday in Singapore
from Black Friday GIFs via Gfycat
While many countries (including Singapore) don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, with online shopping, many international retailers have taken it upon themselves to cash in by offering discounts as well. And since it’s so relatively close to Christmas, many take this opportunity to do their gift shopping.
According to the statistics found on Black Friday Global, on average, Singaporeans will buy around four products and spend around $236 per person in both online and brick-and-mortar stores. The data collected also shows a 511% increase in sales in Singapore compared to an ordinary day. The most popular categories among Black Friday shoppers in Singapore are clothing, shoes, cosmetics and perfume, electronics as well as gifts.
So if you’re looking to get a head start on your Christmas shopping, here’s a handy list that we’ve collated. But be mindful! Statistics have also shown that Black Friday also encourages a lot of impulse buys, so think twice before you click add to cart!
