Over the years, Black Friday has become a holiday of its own with outrageous sales beginning on Thanksgiving Day. Many businesses are opening their doors for the extreme sales up to 3 p.m. on the holiday. Stores like Sam’s Club and even Barnes and Noble will remain closed on the holiday so their employees can be with family and enjoy the real meaning of Thanksgiving.

The name Black Friday actually comes from an accounting reference. When a business is losing money they are known to be in the red, and when they start to make money they are considered to be in the black. The day full of shopping that follows Thanksgiving puts many businesses in the black. Many people are attracted to the increase in sales, which help businesses make plenty of money. These past few years, Black Friday has been one of the busiest shopping days throughout the whole year. This can also help create jobs and lower unemployment. To save time, people can also shop for the same deals on the store’s website.

This year, Black Friday will be on Friday, November 27th. Even though many stores will start their sales on Thanksgiving Day, many companies will buck the trend. REI, an outdoor merchandiser and travel store, will not open their doors on Black Friday to allow employees to stay home. REI is a chain of 143 stores, including one in Nashville.

Closing on Black Friday is something that not a lot of retailers do, especially when Black Friday is viewed as the kickoff day for Christmas shopping. Staples recently told their employees that they will not be opening on Black Friday either, along with GameStop.

Many people have different opinions about the Black Friday shopping that goes on. A popular Black Friday opinion is that Christmas shopping is starting way too early. With each year that passes, Black Friday shopping seems to be starting earlier and earlier. Many employees have to cut their Thanksgiving short and go into work for the business that have decided to start their sales Thursday evening, because they feel that Black Friday is an important event for the retail industry. They said they have the right to open early if the consumers demand it. Even though Black Friday shopping might be good for their business, many employees are upset with the schedule that will take time away from their family on the holiday.

Some store this year that will be opening on Thursday are Target and Walmart. They will both be opening at 6 p.m., along with Dick’s Sporting Goods, Office Depot, Five Below, and Sears. Some stores will open as early as 2 or 3 p.m., including JCPenney. Best Buy and Toys R Us are some popular stores that will be opening on Thursday at 5 p.m.