The day after Thanksgiving has become the unofficial beginning of the Christmas and holiday shopping season in the United States.
Black Friday—or the day after Thanksgiving—has taken on a reputation as the day that launches the season. It has taken on a life of its own in recent years, with some major retailers opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day itself to offer shoppers deals.
While the result can foster potential savings for some buyers, it often also results in long lines, and even people leaving a day with their family to ensure that they will grab their favorite item for a bargain.
I can't believe I'm about to brave #BlackFriday and go shopping. This was my Black Friday view two years ago pic.twitter.com/AuQLSwVv6v
— Terry Virts (@AstroTerry) November 25, 2016
Headed to @Walmart on #BlackFriday. SCARED. Gotta get that TV though
— Marianne Shaddrix (@marianneshad) November 25, 2016
A large group of people caught fighting during Black Friday shopping. pic.twitter.com/h0YusBDwPp
— ABC7News (@ABC7News) November 25, 2016
Report: #BlackFriday sales expected to hit record. pic.twitter.com/9VrLLj2Yuf
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 25, 2016
I skipped #blackfriday for the first time in like 15 years. I have no regrets and neither does my bank account! ? #cheapskate
— brhuis (@brhuis) November 25, 2016
There goes my bank account #BlackFriday
— Cyril Sicat (@cyrilkiel_s) November 25, 2016
Some sales started online on Thanksgiving Day. Shoppers spent $1.15 billion online between 5pm EST and midnight –a 13.6 % increase from 2015, according to Adobe Digital Insights. With the increase in online shopping on Black Friday, security agencies, including the FBI, were cautioning buyers to exercise caution.
When shopping online, ensure a site is secure & reputable before providing credit card number & personal information #cyber #blackfriday pic.twitter.com/DCmnGNNoyJ
— FBI (@FBI) November 25, 2016
For some states, however, the shopping holiday has been banned. Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine have all banned retailers from opening on Thanksgiving Day.