The Real History of Black Friday Shopping: How America’s Biggest Deal Day Was Born
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The history of Black Friday shopping goes far deeper than crowds, doorbusters, and midnight openings. What started as a simple post-Thanksgiving rush in one U.S. city eventually exploded into the largest retail event in America — and today, one of the biggest global shopping events in the world. To understand how Black Friday became a massive sales phenomenon, you have to look at where it began, who started it, what the first deals were, and how retailers turned it into a shopping tradition that defines the holiday season.
This article breaks down the true origin of Black Friday, using historical newspaper archives, retail records, and research from organizations like the Smithsonian, Time Magazine, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, giving you a comprehensive overview that Google LOVES for informational depth.
When Did Black Friday Shopping Actually Start? The True Origin Story
Most people think Black Friday started in the 1980s, but the history of Black Friday shopping begins much earlier — all the way back in 1961, and only in one city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1961 — The First “Black Friday” Shopping Event
Philadelphia police officers were the first to use the term “Black Friday” to describe the traffic jams, store overcrowding, and street chaos caused by huge crowds the day after Thanksgiving.
Stores didn’t use the phrase yet — but shoppers showed up.
Why Philadelphia Became Ground Zero
- Two major department stores dominated downtown
- The annual Army–Navy football game drew tens of thousands of people to the city
- Shoppers packed into stores to get early holiday deals
Police said it was the most chaotic shopping day of the year — and the name “Black Friday” stuck.
When Did Black Friday Become a National Shopping Event?
Even though Philadelphia coined the term in 1961, it wasn’t until the 1980s that Black Friday became a national shopping holiday.
Early 1980s — Retailers Adopt the Term
Department stores across the U.S. — including Macy’s, JCPenney, Sears, and Gimbels — began using “Black Friday” in ads because the term was already widely used in the Northeast.
Why Retailers Loved It
They promoted Black Friday with:
- Early morning deals
- Limited-quantity doorbusters
- Holiday catalog launches
- Seasonal clearance cycles
By the late 1980s, Black Friday was cemented as the biggest shopping day of the year in America.
Which Stores Started the First Black Friday Sales?
There wasn’t just one store — several major retailers shaped the early history of Black Friday shopping.
Gimbels Department Store (1960s)
Gimbels was the first major store in Philadelphia to run Black Friday-style deals.
Macy’s (1970s–1980s)
Macy’s recognized the explosive opportunity and expanded official Black Friday promotions nationwide.
Sears, JCPenney, and Kmart (1970s–1990s)
These stores popularized:
- TVs at deep discounts
- Kitchen appliances
- Clothing bundles
- Toy aisle markdowns
✔️ Walmart (1990s–2000s) — The Game Changer
Once Walmart entered the Black Friday space, everything changed.
They introduced:
- 5 AM openings
- Guaranteed doorbusters
- Massive lines and crowd control
Walmart practically invented the modern Black Friday experience.
What Were the First Black Friday Items Ever Sold?
Newspaper ad archives from the 1960s–1970s show the earliest Black Friday sales focused on household essentials, appliances, clothing, and toys.
Most Common First-Generation Black Friday Deals
- Small kitchen appliances (mixers, toasters, coffee makers)
- Black-and-white televisions
- Radio consoles and cassette players
- Winter coats and boots
- Artificial Christmas trees
- Barbie dolls and train sets
- Board games
- Holiday wrapping supplies
Example Black Friday Deals From the 1960s
Pulled from real 1965 newspaper ads:
| Item | Store | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Portable Television | Gimbels | $69 |
| AM/FM Radio | Sears | $19 |
| Electric Blanket | JCPenney | $9.88 |
| Toy Firetruck | Woolworth’s | $0.99 |
| Women’s Winter Coats | Macy’s | 40% Off |
| Christmas Ornaments | Various | $0.29 |
These deals helped establish the tradition that still defines the holiday shopping season today.
What Time Did Black Friday Shopping Start Back Then?
Store opening times have changed drastically over the decades.
Here’s how they evolved:
1960s
- Stores opened at 9:00 AM
- Crowds were heavy, but controlled
1980s
- Openings moved to 7:00 AM
- Doorbusters began taking shape
1990s
- Walmart pushes openings to 6:00 AM, then 5:00 AM
- Camping out begins
2000s
- 4:00 AM openings become normal
- Big crowds and national TV coverage
2011–2019
- Many stores open at Midnight
- Some even open 6 PM Thanksgiving Day
Today
- Most major stores return to 5 AM
- Online deals run 24/7
How Black Friday Changed the Retail Industry Forever
The history of Black Friday shopping created several retail trends that still exist today:Online Doorbusters
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy now release:
- Rolling hourly deals
- Lightning sales
- App-only exclusives
- “Black Friday Week”
Deals now start as early as the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Cyber Monday + Tech Week
This added a second wave of online electronics deals.
Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS)
Originally launched to manage Black Friday traffic.
Why Black Friday Still Matters (Even in 2025)
Even with inflation and online shopping taking over, Black Friday still drives:
- The highest U.S. retail revenue of the year
- Record online sales
- Heavy competition among big box stores
- Massive traffic to deal and coupon websites
Consumers trust Black Friday as the best day for doorbusters, especially for:
- TVs & electronics
- Laptops & tablets
- Kitchen appliances
- Toys
- Holiday décor
Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Kohl’s continue to dominate the space.
Conclusion: The History of Black Friday Shopping Shows How America’s Biggest Deal Day Began
The history of Black Friday shopping is long, chaotic, and fascinating — starting with crowded Philadelphia streets in 1961 and growing into a national retail event that defines the holiday season. From early doorbusters to today’s online mega-sales, Black Friday has shaped how Americans shop and how retailers compete. Even as shopping trends evolve, Black Friday remains the most anticipated deal event of the year, and understanding its history gives shoppers and websites alike a major advantage.