Black Friday is known as the biggest shopping day of the year, taking place on the Friday right after Thanksgiving in the U.S. According to VietnamPlus, the keyword “Black Friday” began trending in Vietnam around 2012 and has continued to grow each year, in line with the rise of e-commerce. On this day, retailers launch massive discount campaigns, open early, and roll out major promotions to stimulate consumption for the Christmas and New Year shopping season.
1. “Black Friday” Was Not Originally About Shopping
According to The History Channel (U.S.), “Black Friday” did not start as a retail event at all. The term was first used in the mid-19th century, specifically on September 24, 1869, when two Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, attempted to manipulate the U.S. gold market, sending the stock market into free-fall and bankrupting everyone from Wall Street barons to farmers.
In the 1950s, police in Philadelphia used the same phrase to describe traffic chaos, crowd congestion, and shoplifting spikes on the day after Thanksgiving, when floods of suburban shoppers and tourists packed the city for the annual Army–Navy football game.
It took decades for the term to spread nationwide; even by 1985, it was still not widely used.
By the late 1980s, however, retailers rebranded the day with a positive spin – saying it marked the moment when stores went “from the red to the black” (from loss to profit). That’s the version that stuck, turning Black Friday into the shopping frenzy we know today.
2. “Shock Discounts” May Not Be Real
Dan Tri News reports that many so-called “Shock deals” on Black Friday are not genuine bargains at all. Some stores inflate prices before discounting them, giving shoppers the illusion of huge savings. In reality, many items are sold at or near their original price.
Stores advertising up to 85 % off, but most products are only 5 % off. (Source: Dan Tri news)
3. The Hype Is Fading
Black Friday is no longer the only big sale of the year.
With endless promotions – from monthly double day sales like 9.9, 10.10 to holiday campaigns like Valentine’s Day, Back-to-school or Lunar New Year – consumers don’t feel the need to wait until November anymore (Tuổi Trẻ Online).
Many retailers also use Black Friday to clear out old or off-season stock, so finding brand-new products at great prices is getting harder (VTV Online).
A clothing store owner in Hanoi shared that Black Friday is merely an excuse for retailers to clear out outdated or leftover stock,
basically a way to offload unsold inventory. (Source: VTV Online)
4. The Environmental Cost of Mass Consumption
According to a Waste Managed (UK) report, data from Black Friday 2024 paints a worrying picture:
- 80% of purchased products end up in landfills, incinerated, or improperly recycled.
- 429,000 tons of greenhouse gases are predicted from deliveries alone.
- 4 million tons of e-waste are generated annually – much of it from mega-sale events like Black Friday.
After the thrill of unboxing, plastic wraps, paper boxes, and packaging usually end up in the trash. (South China Morning Post)
This isn’t just a Black Friday issue – it’s part of the global “fast consumption” trend, and the day has become a symbol of it.
Be a Smart Shopper, not a Victim of Discounts
Black Friday itself isn’t a bad thing – it reflects creativity in retail and the joy of getting good deals. But without mindful shopping habits, “Black Friday” can quickly turn into “Wasteful Friday”. Here’s how to shop smarter:
- Compare prices across different platforms and check reviews to see if the discount is real.
- Don’t let FOMO drive you. Make a list of what you truly need before hitting “add to cart.”
- Go green. Choose brands that use eco-friendly materials, reusable designs, or minimal packaging.
- Think long term. Buy quality items that last, not cheap ones that break fast – it’s better for your wallet and our planet!
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