In years past, Black Friday was seen as a thrill. People would line up for hours and literally fight their way to the merchandise they wanted. I've heard stories from my mom about having her arm twisted over a DVD and I personally have acted as a human step stool for my brother to grab the item we wanted. When I used to work retail, I heard stories of customers fighting over merchandise and sometimes risking personal injury. In the past couple of years however, it seems like the Black Friday craze has all but diminished. Are retailers simply sick of the violence, or are consumers really understanding the reason for the season?
One reason for the decreased craziness on Black Friday is earlier opening hours and increased opportunities for sale prices. Many retailers now open on Thanksgiving night, which has its pros and cons. This year I personally ventured out to the Fox River Mall in Appleton on Thanksgiving night (all judgments aside please) and was surprised at the lack of chaos. While some retailers did have longer lines, it did not take more than 30 or 45 minutes to make it through any one line. There were no fights over merchandise and aside from the wait I was able to have an enjoyable shopping experience.
Another reason for the decreased chaos on Black Friday is the rise of technology. Many stores have expanded their Black Friday prices to online purchases as well. People can shop without ever leaving their home. There are still limited qualities for certain items, but individuals willing to stay online for a while can likely snag some Black Friday specials. Even if people do not like shopping online, most stores post Black Friday ads online making it easier to come up with a list and game plan for Black Friday.
Black Friday has always been fun, but I personally am grateful for the decreased chaos. I was able to take time to browse rather than haphazardly throwing items in a cart simply because they were on sale. With decreased chaos and an increased time window for sale prices, retailers are encouraging people to meaningfully shop for others. No matter what your beliefs are, the holiday season should be a time for love, kindness, and meaningful gift giving, not tackling each other over a TV.
