IF YOU HAVE BEEN ACTIVE ONLINE FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, you no doubt would have run into ads by different Nigerian stores (both online and offline) offering Black Friday deals. From jiji to jumia, you find posts showing that come Nov.27, there will be a massive price slash on products and consumers are urged to take advantage of the ‘deals’. But what really is Black Friday and why are Nigerian online stores joining the craze?

Black Friday is common to Americans. In the US, Black Friday is the day after thanksgiving (another strictly American tradition) when retail stores offer massive discount in prices. This day often kick start the Christmas shopping season and millions throng the shops in hopes of great deals. It is a very busy day as stores open earlier than usual (some open as early as 5am while others have been known to open by midnight). But what is the logic behind the name?

Some people feel that the name originated from the sale of Black slaves after thanksgiving. But this has been proven wrong. Black Friday originated in Philadelphia to describe the frenzy associated with the day after thanksgiving. Since major retail stores are offering discounted sales, there was usually heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Black Friday is the busiest shopping day in America, hence the name. Also, the use of the term ‘black’ can be explained from the fact that it is on this day that most stores enjoy huge sales, transforming their ledger from ‘red’ (no sale) to ‘black’ (huge business).

Black Friday has come to be a great way to wrap up business activities for the year. It offers mutual benefits to both sellers and buyers; Stores get to enjoy huge customer traffic, while buyers get great deals on products and services.

But what is the significance of Black Friday to Nigeria? Granted, stores in Nigeria will want to offer clearance sales to consumers as a way of wrapping up the year. But why Nov. 27? What is the significance of that date to us as Nigerians? I mean it is not as if we mark Thanksgiving Day that the day after will hold any real meaning. I think Jumia and co should not be in a great hurry to mimic everything American. Rather, let them start a tradition for to us by picking a more meaningful day to offer discounted prices. The first Friday in December can be set aside for this.

But this is just my opinion. What do you think? Let’s discuss.

Source: www.techthins.com

this got me thinking

Abi