The End of Thanksgiving?

November used to be known only as the month of Thanksgiving. In the past few decades, however, Thanksgiving has merely been the opening act for the shopping sales main event. In an age of declining sales, less foot traffic and more online shopping, retailers have to go to extremes to get customers. Black Friday is their answer and America’s most powerful retail tool.

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Black Friday was convenient for many because it was the day following Thanksgiving, which most workers have off, and it marked the beginning of the shopping season leading up to Christmas. Many retailers would put specific deals out to attract customers by opening earlier than the competition. This led to a successful business model that is still used, and widely abused, today.

What was once a one-day shopping extravaganza is now a full corporate takeover of the entire month of November. Retailers, backed by greedy shareholders, want to end Thanksgiving. The only businesses that make money off of Thanksgiving are grocery stores and travel companies. Retailers realize this and don’t want people to spend the day enjoying their family and great food at home instead of spending money. That’s where the Black Friday tool is essential, and retailers use it to their liking.

There are no “rules” to using the Black Friday card. Retailers have realized this and have been pushing back the deals earlier and earlier before Thanksgiving even begins. This has led to many consumer problems for shopping, such as having to take off of work or not celebrate with family because one has to get the “deal.” If change isn’t made soon and retailers have their way, we will keep seeing the end of Thanksgiving and the beginning of shopping holiday.

— Jay Sullivan

Four Crossed Logs intern

professional communication major