Black Friday
In short
Black Friday is a major shopping event held the day after US Thanksgiving in late November. It marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season with massive price discounts.
In plain words
Retailers offer huge sales on many items to attract customers. People rush to buy gifts and electronics at much lower prices than usual. It is a global phenomenon driven by online and high-street shopping.
A simple example
A television that normally costs £500 might be sold for £300 during the sale. Many people wait for this specific day to make expensive purchases.
Why it matters
It is a critical period for the economy as shops try to maximise their yearly profits. For consumers, it offers a chance to save money on big-ticket items.
Easy to mix up
It is often confused with Cyber Monday, which focuses specifically on online deals the following Monday.