Ah, Black Friday. That one day of the year where everyone is laser-focused on finding the best deals. From early morning doorbusters to frantic online shopping marathons, Black Friday has become synonymous with holiday shopping madness. But have you ever stopped to wonder where this shopping frenzy came from?
The phrase “Black Friday” wasn’t originally about shopping at all. Back in the 19th century, the term referred to financial crises. One of the earliest known uses was in 1869 when a major stock market crash shook the U.S. economy.
The shopping connection came much later, in the 1950s. Police officers in Philadelphia used the term to describe the chaotic day after Thanksgiving. The city would be flooded with tourists and shoppers gearing up for the annual Army-Navy football game, causing traffic jams and general mayhem. The police called it “Black Friday” because they often had to work extra-long shifts to manage the chaos.
Retailers eventually saw the potential in this shopping surge. By the 1980s, Black Friday became a positive term, referring to the point when stores go “into the black,” meaning they finally turn a profit for the year. The rest is history. Now, it’s the biggest shopping day of the year, with sales kicking off as early as Thanksgiving night.
As online shopping started to gain traction, retailers saw an opportunity to create a digital version of Black Friday. Enter Cyber Monday. The term was coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation (NRF) to encourage people to shop online after the Thanksgiving weekend.
Unlike Black Friday, which traditionally involves in-store shopping, Cyber Monday is all about scoring deals from the comfort of your home. Over the years, it’s become just as popular as Black Friday, with many brands offering exclusive online-only discounts.
Remember when Black Friday was just a single day? Those days are long gone. Now, many retailers launch deals weeks in advance, stretching the “holiday” into a full-on shopping season. Some even combine Black Friday and Cyber Monday into one big “Cyber Week” extravaganza.
We couldn’t wrap up without talking about what we’ve got in store for Black Friday at Momo Lifestyle: up to 50% OFF on selected products! Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift, we’ve got something special for everyone.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come a long way from their chaotic beginnings. Today, they’re all about finding great deals on things you actually need—and maybe a few things you just really want.
This holiday season, skip the stress and shop smart with Momo Lifestyle. We’ve got everything you need to make your home a little more functional and a lot more stylish. Check our Black Friday deals—you don’t want to miss them!
