A few facts, figures and tidbits before heading out with the other crazed shoppers.
1. BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING FORECAST: 2. BLACK FRIDAY HISTORY: The term “Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season. 3. BLACK FRIDAY MYTHS: 4. BLACK FRIDAY FACTS: 5. BLACK FRIDAY STATS YOU MAY HAVE NOT KNOWN:
Blue laws prohibit retailers from opening before midnight on Black Friday.
Black Friday is starting earlier than ever, as some national retailers have announced they will open the night of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 22. However, here in Massachusetts, state blue laws prohibit stores from opening until midnight, according to a report by the Boston Globe. Current blue laws prohibit retailers in the state from opening on Thanksgiving, thus preventing them from getting an early start on Black Friday sales, according to the Globe article. Some exceptions are restaurants, health care facilities and gas stations. The laws, instituted in the 17th century, are intended to make sure holidays are properly observed, according to the Boston Globe. Are Massachusetts' blue laws outdated? Should they be eliminated? Tell us …
GiRRL_Earth
2:27 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
What's with Avon's straw man arguments? Talk about taking this topic off course. :-| more ›