Black Friday—the day on which the deals are steals and stores cut back on their losses. For many, Black Friday is more than just a shopping day, it’s a necessary tradition.

In the CHS community, many people might not value Black Friday for what it truly is—an opportunity for families to purchase goods they can’t usually afford. For many, Black Friday is not only seen as a fun shopping day but also a way to buy things without breaking the bank.
There is more to Black Friday than just fulfilling materialistic wants— it’s a day to fulfill the most basic needs. Many people purchase basic necessities such as baby clothes or laundry machines.

It is for this reason that thousands of people camp out in front of the stores waiting for them to open. While some may be there for their annual spree, others are there to buy things they normally can’t afford.

Going out shopping with friends may be commonplace, but shopping on Black Friday is in a league of its own. Being able to share the joy of finding an awesome deal or getting gifts for one another is what Black Friday bonding is all about.

On Black Friday both the shoppers and retailers benefit. The aim of Black Friday for retailers is to cut losses and go into the “black zone” of making a profit by selling usually high-priced items at reduced costs. Apple products are at an all-time low, with MacBook Airs with at least a $100 discount. For students this is an opportunity to purchase equipment without breaking the bank.

According to a November 2015 Forbes article, the projection for Black Friday profit for this year will be $8.8 billion, down 3.2 percent from 2014. However, Thanksgiving Day sales will increase by 18.8 percent to 3.8 billion dollars. Stores need the Thanksgiving Day sales in order to turn a profit since Black Friday sales are declining.

Many view Black Friday as a day where workers are underpaid and forced to work long shifts. However, recent changes have been made to give workers better conditions. Those who work on Black Friday receive extra vacation days or bonuses as compensation. Some stores have even decided to open later on Black Friday to allow their workers to spend more time with their families.

Additionally, retailers begin holiday hiring, so those who work on Thanksgiving and Black Friday receive overtime benefits.

Another commonly cited reason against Black Friday is the rare case of violence due to the morning rush. According to the Black Friday Death Count website, most instances where injuries have occurred have either been due to the chaotic stampede or individual acts of violence. However, in order to reduce the chaotic stampede for deals, stores like Best Buy hand out vouchers to eliminate the need to stampede, reducing injuries and overall chaos.

Black Friday benefits more than just the upper class. In reality it actually benefits the lower income households the most by giving them the opportunity to purchase necessities. It’s an important day in our nation that promotes opportunity and we should not get rid of that.