Every year Americans across the nation sit down with their families to give thanks for what they have. Then the craziness of Black Friday begins. I personally dislike Black Friday and find it to be hypocritical and deceiving. I hate that Thanksgiving, an entire day that is devoted to giving thanks for what we have, is corroded by a day devoted to shopping and pushing others out of your way to save a couple dollars. So here are some facts that will make you want to skip Black Friday as I do.
- In 2012, 247 million shoppers participated in Black Friday weekend shopping.
- 57% of Black Friday shoppers think this shopping day is “fun.”
- The average shopper spends about $400 on this weekend with stores making $11.4 billion on Black Friday.
- In 2008, Jdimytai Damour, a Wal-Mart employee, was trampled to death by shoppers. The paramedics who came to the rescue were also trampled and seriously injured by shoppers. In total, five shoppers at the store required hospitalization.
- Black Friday is not the biggest shopping day of the year; that day usually happens on the Saturday before Christmas.
- The term “Black Friday” was coined by Philadelphia police in 1966 who hated the traffic and crowds caused by holiday shopping and used the term negatively.
- Many “doorbuster” deals on merchandise are actually derivatives of standard models, meaning they’re made with cheaper parts and fewer features.
- Stores open earlier every year, with many now opening Thanksgiving night. This year, Sears, Toys “R” Us, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target stores will open on Thanksgiving night, while Macy’s, Old Navy and Best Buy will open at 12:01 a.m.
- Last year, shoppers at a California Wal-Mart were pepper sprayed when a 33-year-old shopper, Elizabeth Macias, fought her way towards video games. Nearly two dozen people, including children, suffered nose and throat irritation.
- The last few days of the holiday shopping season will give shoppers better deals than Black Friday. Some products sell for 10% to 15% less than they do on Black Friday.
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