In the United States of America, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday is commonly called Black Friday. So what is Black Friday? It is the day when retailers traditionally lower prices on goods to kick-start the Christmas shopping season. Recently stores have opened early to maximize the number of shoppers in the day and create further publicity.
A number of explanations exist as to the meaning of the name Black Friday. There is a common belief that it represents the day when stores make the most money. Yet, academics have discovered that the phrase was first coined by the police force in Philadelphia. For them it means a challenging day with dense traffic, frustrated people and thus several accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. At first this was not just because of shoppers. The day coincides with the annual Army verses Navy college football game hosted by the city.
Over the last decade, it has become the busiest day of the year. Crowds of people descend on stores in a quest to find a bargain. Employers often allow staff to leave work early, or even give them the day off entirely. Over the last few years, retailers' definition of early opening has gone further and further. Many shops now open at 4 a. M. And some have started trading at midnight.
The early opening times have captured the public's imagination and many people line up outside the entrance to be one of the first. As this has become increasingly popular, people arrive ever earlier to get a good spot. Today, people often spend hours waiting for the store to open its doors.
So many people clamouring to get into a store raises several safety issues. It is important to ensure there is no crush when the doors are swung back. With people waiting for hours, it is essential that security guards or the police are present to maintain order. First aiders should be on hand as people staying overnight in November may fall ill.
The day called Black Friday can be a hugely positive day for both the public and stores. Today it is an event in the American year and it is clearly liked. Shops nowadays hit their highest sales volumes. Yet, it is essential that the event is well coordinated. Delays, slow cash-desks or lack of stock can make customers angry and create difficult situations in a large crowd.
As most stores take part in the event, it is essential to have a well-targeted ad campaign. The campaign should be on local television as well as online. Sales should be concentrated on a few core products as well as lower reductions on others across the store. Promotions could also fall in line with the local weather. If a store in a city with a cold climate is to open at midnight, free soup could be offered to those waiting.
Promotion could concentrate on the stores preparedness. With the heading What Is Black Friday To You?, it could show an ill-prepared nameless shop. Then it would show the named store with things running smoothly. The ad could run on local TV and a different version could go viral online.
A number of explanations exist as to the meaning of the name Black Friday. There is a common belief that it represents the day when stores make the most money. Yet, academics have discovered that the phrase was first coined by the police force in Philadelphia. For them it means a challenging day with dense traffic, frustrated people and thus several accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. At first this was not just because of shoppers. The day coincides with the annual Army verses Navy college football game hosted by the city.
Over the last decade, it has become the busiest day of the year. Crowds of people descend on stores in a quest to find a bargain. Employers often allow staff to leave work early, or even give them the day off entirely. Over the last few years, retailers' definition of early opening has gone further and further. Many shops now open at 4 a. M. And some have started trading at midnight.
The early opening times have captured the public's imagination and many people line up outside the entrance to be one of the first. As this has become increasingly popular, people arrive ever earlier to get a good spot. Today, people often spend hours waiting for the store to open its doors.
So many people clamouring to get into a store raises several safety issues. It is important to ensure there is no crush when the doors are swung back. With people waiting for hours, it is essential that security guards or the police are present to maintain order. First aiders should be on hand as people staying overnight in November may fall ill.
The day called Black Friday can be a hugely positive day for both the public and stores. Today it is an event in the American year and it is clearly liked. Shops nowadays hit their highest sales volumes. Yet, it is essential that the event is well coordinated. Delays, slow cash-desks or lack of stock can make customers angry and create difficult situations in a large crowd.
As most stores take part in the event, it is essential to have a well-targeted ad campaign. The campaign should be on local television as well as online. Sales should be concentrated on a few core products as well as lower reductions on others across the store. Promotions could also fall in line with the local weather. If a store in a city with a cold climate is to open at midnight, free soup could be offered to those waiting.
Promotion could concentrate on the stores preparedness. With the heading What Is Black Friday To You?, it could show an ill-prepared nameless shop. Then it would show the named store with things running smoothly. The ad could run on local TV and a different version could go viral online.
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Do you enjoy shopping during the Holiday? Well, Black Friday2013 is right around the corner. Get the history behind Black and Learn what you can do to beat the crowd. Right after Black Friday comes Cyber Monday. Don't Miss Out !!