Black Friday. The day when early mornings, long lines, and jaw-dropping deals collide. But beyond the crowded stores and screaming ads, there are some downright unbelievable facts about this shopping extravaganza that you probably haven't heard. Buckle up, it's a wild ride.

First off, the numbers are staggering. In 2024 alone, shoppers in the U.S. spent over $11 billion online on Black Friday, with total spending over the Thanksgiving weekend topping $34 billion. That's a lot of pumpkins and turkey leftovers paying for flat-screen TVs and new sneakers! And it's not just the U.S.; countries like the U.K., Canada, and even some in the Middle East have jumped on the Black Friday bandwagon, making it a global shopping phenomenon.

Here's a wild one: the largest Black Friday purchase ever recorded was a private jet. Yep, someone went all in and bought a jet instead of a TV. Makes waiting in line at Best Buy seem a little tame, doesn't it?

And speaking of crowds, the sheer madness can be dangerous. Every year, stories surface about stampedes, fights over flat-screen TVs, and minor injuries, sometimes even worse. In 2008, for example, a Wal-Mart worker tragically lost their life in a crowd surge. It's a reminder that while the deals may be irresistible, patience and caution go a long way.

On a lighter note, some Black Friday deals are downright quirky. In the U.S., stores have been known to offer deals on everything from live lobsters to goats. One store even gave away free llamas back in the early 2000s, probably not the easiest item to carry out of a parking lot.

Digital shopping has transformed the game too. Mobile purchases now account for a huge portion of Black Friday sales. In fact, over 50% of online purchases in 2022 were made on smartphones, which makes sense. Why fight the crowds when you can snag a bargain from your couch in pajamas?

And while everyone is chasing the next big tech deal, some categories have surprising winners. According to reports, mattresses, socks, and even luxury kitchen appliances see some of the biggest discounts. Who knew a high-end blender could be a must-have Black Friday prize?

Here's a fun fact to drop at dinner: the phrase "Black Friday" originally had nothing to do with shopping. It was first used by police in Philadelphia in the 1960s to describe the chaos that erupted the day after Thanksgiving, with crowds, traffic jams, and headaches galore. Retailers later rebranded it as a day to celebrate profit, turning red ink into black. Clever marketing, right?

So, whether you're an early bird hitting the stores, a night owl online, or just someone who enjoys the spectacle from afar, Black Friday is a phenomenon full of surprises, stories, and some downright unbelievable facts.

Stay safe, spend wisely, and maybe leave the llamas out of it.

Got an idea for an article? Share it with me - you might just see it featured in a future newsletter.

Until next time,
Randy at Random Facts
Always Random. Never Boring