Black Friday is more than just a day of deep discounts — it’s a global shopping phenomenon, a retailer’s biggest push, and for consumers, a chance to snag some of the year’s biggest tech deals. In this post, we'll break down what Black Friday is, its history, how it's evolved (even in India), and what to watch for in Black Friday Sale 2025.
A Quick Definition
- Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S., marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Wikipedia+1
- Retailers offer massive discounts, flash sales, and doorbuster deals — especially on tech products. India Today
- Over time, it’s grown into a multi-day (or even week-long) shopping event, often extending through Cyber Monday. The Times of India+1
A Short History: The Roots of Black Friday
Understanding Black Friday history helps us appreciate why it's such a big deal today.
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Financial Origins (1869)
- The first use of the term “Black Friday” dates back to a financial panic on September 24, 1869, when gold speculators Jay Gould and Jim Fisk crashed the market. dictionary.com+1
- That day wasn’t about shopping — it was about economic turmoil. dictionary.com
Philadelphia & the 1960s
- In the mid-20th century, Philadelphia police used “Black Friday” to describe the chaos: massive traffic, crowds, and disorder after Thanksgiving. Encyclopedia Britannica
- Retailers tried to rebrand it as “Big Friday,” but the name stuck. Encyclopedia Britannica
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Retail Spin (1980s Onwards)
- By the late 1980s, retailers leaned into the “red to black” narrative: they said Black Friday marked the point when their books turned profitable (from red ink to black). Encyclopedia Britannica+1
- This framing stuck, and Black Friday transformed into a retail event, not just a chaotic day. dictionary.com
Black Friday 2004: Why That Year Matters
While Black Friday 2004 isn’t usually singled out in history books, it can be considered a turning point in modern retail:
- By the early 2000s, big-box retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target had fully embraced doorbusters, and Black Friday was becoming a consumer ritual.
- E-commerce was still growing, but in 2004, many people still shopped in-store — making it a classic, “old-school” Black Friday scenario with long queues, physical deals, and limited online options.
- Reflecting on Black Friday 2004 helps us see how far the event has evolved — from predominantly offline to a hybrid (and increasingly online) shopping festival.
What Happens During Black Friday Sales
“Sales on Black Friday” are the heart of the event. Here are key features:
- Huge discounts: Retailers slash prices on high-ticket items — especially tech (TVs, laptops, smartphones). The Times of India
- Limited-time & doorbuster deals: Some offers are deeply discounted but very short-lived.
- Rolling sales: Many brands don’t just drop deals on Friday — they often begin early and continue through Cyber Monday. The Times of India+1
- Online + In-store: While the tradition started with stores, now both e-commerce platforms and physical stores participate heavily. The Times of India
- Major retailers: Big names like Best Buy, Target, and Amazon take center stage. The Times of India
Why Black Friday Matters for Tech Shoppers
For a tech-focused blog like ChapterTech, Black Friday is gold. Here’s why:
- Deep discounts on electronics: Expect strong deals on laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, and more. The Times of India
- Bundle offers: Retailers often bundle accessories (cases, headphones) with gadgets.
- Limited editions: Sometimes brands launch or discount special versions or earlier models.
- Software & subscriptions: It’s not just hardware — SaaS companies and tool makers often run Black Friday deals.
- Early access: Tech-savvy shoppers (or those on mailing lists) can grab deals even before the main event.
Black Friday in India: What You Need to Know
Black Friday is very much alive in India, though it works a little differently than in the U.S.
- Origins in India: While not a traditional holiday, Indian e-commerce platforms and brands have adopted Black Friday sales. India Today+1
- Dates in 2025: Black Friday 2025 falls on 28 November, per multiple sources. BLACK FRIDAY SALE INDIA+2Shipway Blog+2
- Participating retailers: Major Indian sellers like Amazon India, Flipkart, Croma, and Reliance Digital are likely to run Black Friday deals. Shipway Blog+1
- Sale structure: Unlike a single-day event, many Indian retailers start deals days before Black Friday. Shipway Blog
- Payment methods: Indian shoppers can use credit/debit cards, UPI, wallets (PhonePe, Google Pay), and sometimes COD. Black Friday India
Black Friday Sale 2025: What to Expect
Here’s a look at the upcoming Black Friday Sale 2025 — especially relevant for ChapterTech readers:
- Black Friday Date: Friday, 28 November 2025. The Times of India
- Deal period: Many retailers will start early and extend through Cyber Monday. The Times of India
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Tech deals:
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TVs (OLED, QLED) from Samsung, Sony. The Times of India
- Laptops (HP, Lenovo, Apple)
- Headphones (Sony, Bose)
- Gaming consoles
- Robot vacuums & smart home devices
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Retailers to watch:
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Best Buy: Early and in-store + online deals. The Times of India
- Target: Rolling doorbusters and online exclusive deals. The Times of India
- Amazon India & others: Local platforms are expected to participate heavily. Shipway Blog+1
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Strategy tips for shoppers:
Make a wishlist in advance.
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Track price history — compare earlier prices to avoid fake “discounts.”
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Use alerts — newsletters, deal trackers.
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Be ready for flash deals — set alarms / monitor closely.
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Prep your payment method — card, UPI, wallet — for fast checkout.
Black Friday vs Other Major Retail Events
| Event | Focus | Typical Timing | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Friday | Deep discounts across categories, especially tech | Day after U.S. Thanksgiving | Traditionally in-store, now hybrid + global |
| Cyber Monday | Online-only deals | Monday after Black Friday | Focus on electronics, software, smaller gadgets |
| Small Business Saturday | Support small/local retailers | Saturday after Black Friday | Less deals, more ethos-driven shopping |
Black Friday & Major Retailers: Spotlight
- Black Friday Best Buy: Known for tech-heavy offers — TVs, laptops, accessories. The Times of India
- Black Friday Target: Regular deal refreshes, often with “doorbusters” on major tech items. The Times of India
- Black Friday on Amazon India: Increasingly active with big sales, especially on electronics, fashion, and appliances. Shipway Blog+1
Why Is It Called “Black Friday”?
A few competing theories exist. Here’s what history (and experts) say:
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Philadelphia Chaos
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In the 1960s, police used “Black Friday” to describe the mass crowds, chaotic traffic, and disorder downtown after Thanksgiving. Encyclopedia Britannica
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Red-to-Black Myth
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Retailers later claimed it means going “from red ink to black ink,” i.e., from losses to profit. Encyclopedia Britannica+1
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Financial Origins
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Some trace the term further back to the 1869 gold panic. HISTORY+1
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According to Britannica, the traffic chaos origin is most accurate. Encyclopedia Britannica
What Is Black Friday in India?
- Not tied to any Indian holiday — but adopted by e-commerce players. Black Friday India+1
- Retailers like Amazon, Croma, Flipkart, and Tata Cliq run “Black Friday sales” to attract deal hunters. Shipway Blog
- Discounts are often steep (in some cases up to 80%, though this depends on product category) in Indian Black Friday events. BLACK FRIDAY SALE INDIA
- The phenomenon reflects global retail trends, not a traditional Indian festival.
Black Friday Target & Strategy for Shoppers
If you're shopping during Black Friday Sale 2025, especially for tech, here’s how to maximize value:
- Use price trackers: Tools like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) help you see true historical prices.
- Compare retailers: Don’t rely on just one store — check Best Buy, Target, Amazon, etc.
- Be ready for limited stock: Doorbuster deals may run out fast.
- Use cashback / bank offers: Leverage credit card cashback, wallet offers, or EMIs.
- Save for Cyber Monday: If you miss a Black Friday deal, Cyber Monday might offer something similar or better.
Black Friday Sales Deals: Tips for Tech Buyers
- High-ticket items: Focus on TVs, laptops, gaming consoles — these usually get the biggest markdowns.
- Smart home gadgets: Black Friday is ideal to buy smart speakers, lights, and other connected devices.
- Accessories: Look for bundles — charging docks, headphones, cases.
- Software & subscriptions: Many SaaS companies offer Black Friday promotions; check lifetime or annual deals.
- Gaming: Consoles, games, and sometimes accessories go on sale heavily during this period.
Black Friday Sales 2024: A Quick Recap
- In 2024, Black Friday fell on November 29, according to India Today. India Today
- Retailers like Best Buy and Target began early sale events in 2024. Reddit
- The trend of extending Black Friday into a week-long or multi-day event continued.
What to Watch for in Black Friday Sale 2025 in India
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Sale Timing
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Look out for early deals from mid-November; many retailers stretch deals through Thanksgiving weekend. Shipway Blog
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Major Participants
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Amazon India, Flipkart, Croma, Tata Cliq, Reliance Digital likely to be active. Shipway Blog
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Tech Focus
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Expect big tech discounts: TVs, consoles, laptops, smart devices. The Times of India
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Payment Offers
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Use UPI, wallet offers, or credit cards to maximize savings. Black Friday India
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Extended Deals
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Cyber Monday (and possibly Cyber Week) might offer deeper or remaining deals. The Times of India
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Black Friday in India?
A: Black Friday in India refers to the adoption of the U.S. shopping event by Indian retailers. Major e-commerce platforms and brands run Black Friday sales, with deep discounts on electronics, fashion, and more. Black Friday India
Q2: What day is Black Friday sales 2025?
A: Black Friday 2025 is on Friday, November 28. The Times of India+1
Q3: Why is it called Black Friday?
A: The term has multiple origins:
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Philadelphia police used it in the 1960s to describe chaotic crowds after Thanksgiving. Encyclopedia Britannica
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Retailers later popularized a “red to black” narrative: they claimed it meant going from losses to profits. dictionary.com
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Historically, the term also traces to a financial panic in 1869. HISTORY
Final Thoughts
Black Friday is not just a U.S. shopping day — it’s now a global retail event, deeply relevant for tech buyers and bloggers alike. For ChapterTech, it’s a golden opportunity:
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Write Black Friday 2025 tech deal guides.
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Help readers plan their purchases.
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Spotlight emerging tech items, bundle offers, and subscription deals.
As we approach Black Friday sale 2025, start building your content, deal alerts, and buying strategy now. Your readers — and your affiliate partners — will thank you.
Master Black Friday Shopping: A Step-by-Step Guide
Black Friday is more than a day of discounts — it’s the best time to score tech bargains. Learn history, strategy, India-specific notes, and how to plan like a pro.
What Is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S., marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers offer massive discounts, flash sales, and doorbuster deals — especially on tech products.
- Definition: The major shopping day with significant discounts and promotions.
- When: Day after Thanksgiving — Black Friday 2025: 28 Nov 2025.
- Why it matters: Deep markdowns on high-ticket tech like TVs, laptops and gaming gear.
A Short History: The Roots of Black Friday
Understanding Black Friday history helps us appreciate how it evolved from finance and chaos into a retail ritual.
- Financial origins (1869): Earliest uses of “Black Friday” refer to the 1869 gold panic.
- Philadelphia (1960s): Police called the post-Thanksgiving chaos “Black Friday”.
- Retail spin (1980s): The term was reframed as the day retailers go from “red to black” financially.
- 2004: The era of big-box doorbusters and early e-commerce growth — a pivot to hybrid shopping.
What Happens During Black Friday Sales
- Huge discounts: TVs, laptops, phones, and appliances get the deepest cuts.
- Limited-time / doorbusters: Short-lived offers that require fast checkout.
- Rolling sales: Many retailers start early and extend through Cyber Monday.
- Online + in-store: The hybrid model dominates now.
What Is Black Friday in India?
Not a traditional Indian festival, but adopted by e-commerce and retail to tap global demand.
- Major participants: Amazon India, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital.
- Dates: Sales often run early in November and peak around 28 Nov 2025.
- Payment: UPI, wallets (PhonePe/Google Pay), cards, and occasionally COD.
How to Score the Best Black Friday Deals — Step by Step
- Make a wishlist: Map priorities: TV, laptop, phone, accessories.
- Track price history: Use price-tracker tools to authenticate discounts.
- Set alerts: Subscribe to newsletters and enable app push notifications.
- Prepare payment: Save payment methods for one-click checkout.
- Use cashback & bank offers: Stacking offers can increase savings dramatically.
- Have a plan B: Check Cyber Monday or alternative retailers if doorbusters sell out.
Black Friday Sale 2025 — What to Expect
Focus on electronics — OLED/QLED TVs, premium laptops, headphones, and gaming consoles. Retailers like Best Buy and Target will lead U.S. bargains; Amazon India and Flipkart will be the heavy hitters locally.
FAQs
It’s the localisation of the US shopping event; Indian e-commerce platforms run major discounts around late November.
Q: What day is Black Friday sales 2025?Friday, 28 November 2025.
Q: Why is it called Black Friday?Multiple origins: Philadelphia chaos (1960s), the red-to-black retail explanation, and even financial panics in history (1869).
Black Friday Sale: A Step-by-Step Guide
Black Friday is more than just a day of deep discounts — it’s a global shopping phenomenon, a retailer’s biggest push, and for consumers, a chance to snag some of the year’s biggest tech deals. In this post, we'll break down what Black Friday is, its history, how it's evolved (even in India), and what to watch for in Black Friday Sale 2025.
A Quick Definition
- Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S., marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.
- Retailers offer massive discounts, flash sales, doorbuster deals — especially on tech products.
- It has evolved into a multi-day event and now often extends through Cyber Monday.
A Short History: The Roots of Black Friday
Financial Origins (1869)
- The first use of the term "Black Friday" traces back to a financial panic on September 24, 1869.
- Gold speculators Jay Gould and Jim Fisk caused a market crash.
- This day was about economic turmoil, not shopping.
Philadelphia & the 1960s
- Philadelphia police used “Black Friday” to describe the chaotic crowds after Thanksgiving.
- Retailers tried to rebrand it as “Big Friday,” but it didn’t stick.
Retail Spin (1980s Onwards)
- Retailers promoted the idea that Black Friday was when stores moved from “red” (losses) to “black” (profits).
- This narrative made the term more positive and consumer-focused.
Black Friday 2004: Why That Year Matters
Black Friday 2004 marked a turning point. Big retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target had fully embraced doorbusters. Online shopping was still growing but not dominant. It was the era of long queues, physical discounts, and early-morning crowds.
What Happens During Black Friday Sales
- Huge discounts on tech like TVs, laptops, phones.
- Limited-time deals called doorbusters.
- Rolling sales starting days before Friday.
- Online + in-store participation.
- Major retailers: Best Buy, Target, Amazon.
Why Black Friday Matters for Tech Shoppers
- Deep discounts on electronics (TVs, laptops, gaming consoles).
- Bundle offers and add-ons.
- Limited editions and early deals.
- Software & subscription discounts.
- Early-access deals for newsletter users.
Black Friday in India: What You Need to Know
- Black Friday is not a traditional Indian holiday, but now widely adopted by e-commerce platforms.
- Black Friday 2025 date in India: 28 November 2025.
- Retailers: Amazon India, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital.
- Sales often begin early and extend through Cyber Monday.
- Payments: UPI, cards, wallets, EMI.
Black Friday Sale 2025: What to Expect
- Date: 28 November 2025
- Deal period: Early access + extended Cyber Monday sales
Tech Deals
- OLED/QLED TVs (Samsung, Sony)
- Laptops (HP, Lenovo, Apple)
- Headphones (Sony, Bose)
- Gaming consoles
- Smart home devices
Retailers to Watch
- Best Buy
- Target
- Amazon India
- Croma
Shopping Strategy Tips
- Make a wishlist early.
- Track price history.
- Use deal alerts.
- Be ready for flash deals.
- Prepare multiple payment options.
Black Friday vs Other Events
| Event | Focus | Timing | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Friday | Deep discounts (tech-heavy) | Day after Thanksgiving | Global & hybrid |
| Cyber Monday | Online tech deals | Monday after Black Friday | More digital-focused |
| Small Business Saturday | Local stores | Saturday after Black Friday | Support-focused |
Why Is It Called “Black Friday”?
- Philadelphia origin: Used by police to describe chaos after Thanksgiving.
- Red-to-black theory: Retailers said sales put them in profit (black ink).
- 1869 financial panic: Another historical origin.
Black Friday Target & Strategy
- Use price trackers.
- Compare stores.
- Prepare for limited stock.
- Use cashback offers.
- Check Cyber Monday too.
Black Friday Sales 2024: Quick Recap
- Black Friday 2024 happened on November 29.
- Best Buy and Target started early deals.
- Week-long sales trend continued.
What to Watch for in Black Friday Sale 2025 (India)
- Early November deals.
- Major players: Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, Tata Cliq.
- Heavy tech discounts.
- UPI and bank offers.
- Extended Cyber Monday deals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Black Friday in India?
Black Friday in India refers to the adoption of the U.S. shopping event by Indian online retailers. It features big discounts on electronics, fashion, and more.
Q2: What day is Black Friday sales 2025?
Black Friday 2025 falls on Friday, 28 November 2025.
Q3: Why is it called Black Friday?
It comes from the 1960s Philadelphia crowd chaos, the “red to black” profit theory, and earlier financial history.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday has evolved into a massive global retail event. For tech buyers and bloggers like ChapterTech, it opens doors for guides, deal posts, and affiliate opportunities. As Black Friday Sale 2025 approaches, prepare your content early — your readers will thank you.
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