Black Friday is originally an American tradition that takes place on the day after Thanksgiving. It was introduced into the UK through ASDA and Amazon. Many other retailers have since rapidly jumped on board with the major sales. Black Friday is referred to as “One of the most important shopping days of the year”.
Retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss for the majority of the year, whilst the holiday season was when they gained their profit. This began the day after Thanksgiving. These profits would be recorded in the financial records. Where the accountants used red ink meant a loss of money, but on this day the red ink would then change to black ink to show profit. Therefore, hence the name ‘Black Friday’, and this day is the day that retailers would no longer have losses for the duration of the holiday season.
The Black Friday deals have not been restricted to just one day, you had Orange Thursday yesterday and deals can still be found up until Cyber Monday (Monday 30th November).
You can find deals throughout all high-street stores and all over the internet, but be careful as everyone wants the same deals as you do. It is known that with the deals that Black Friday brings, comes violence and crime. So we have provided you with our top ten tips on how to keep safe on Black Friday.
Shopping online:
- When shopping online, ensure the web pages begin with https not http, as the ‘s’ indicates the page is secure. Also, look for the icon of a lock that usually sits at the bottom of the browser or https URL address.
- When purchasing items, make sure that you use payment verifications systems such as ‘Verified by Visa’.
- Beware of any scam links that could be in your emails.
- Ensure that you have the latest version of your Web Browser. This is because the updates include security patches and improvements that can correct anything in the browser that could be subject to vulnerability.
- Use a credit card rather than a debit card, as your debit card links directly with your bank account. A credit card is money borrowed temporarily from your bank and purchases made using the credit card are subject to laws that protect the buyer.
Shopping in-store:
- Keep all your shopping in the boot of your car, this way you do not attract any unwanted attention to your car.
- Keep your personal belongings on you at all times, to avoid any pickpocketing.
- Do not carry too much, as you probably won’t realise if you drop something. If your hands are completely full, you also will not be able to defend yourself against any threats.
- Go shopping with a friend or family member for extra back-up.
- Ensure to shield your pin, anywhere and everywhere you are using it.
But don’t let these drawbacks stop you from shopping! Take into account our safety tips and enjoy all the deals that Black Friday has to offer.
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