As if it weren’t bad enough that stores started opening at 8pm on Thanksgiving Thursday to kick off their Black Friday extravaganzas, the Internet blew up this past Friday too. Reports show that for the first time, e-commerce sales on Black Friday topped $1 Billion dollars. Yes, that’s right. A billion.
When I read about this, I had to take a moment to digest it. I mean, really, it’s astounding, because sales out in the real world I’m sure topped this number by a long shot (while searching for Black Friday sales figures while writing this, I was unable to find a clear answer that retail stores made overall). Not to mention, as well, that that $1 Billion number doesn’t even include the sales made from “Cyber Monday.” I don’t know about the majority of consumers, but I think this is crazy. That it’s unhealthy because while we’re “supposed” to be with our families still celebrating Thanksgiving after we’ve had our turkey dinner, we’re also being “pushed” to get in line at our local toy and Apple stores to spend, spend, spend.
On one hand, it’s really cool that consumers are utilizing Amazon, eBay and retailer’s websites to shop more than they ever have before– it shows that yet again, we’re a digital culture, but also that we’re probably lazier than ever too. But on the other hand I’m concerned, like I usually am about these things– about how we’re sucked in from the ads we see on our televisions, the mass emails we receive, and our Facebook news feeds that give us both brands’ announcements about Black Friday deals and friend updates about how “cool” and “excited” they are to be participating in the unofficial holiday.
It’s astounding that online sales topped $1 Billion on Friday, especially considering the world is supposed to be in a recession right now. But who knows, maybe the economy can turn around if we have Black Fridays every month or something.
