BLACK Friday is one of the biggest annual shopping events, with incredible deals and massive discounts on offer.

Taking place on and around the Friday following Thanksgiving, it traditionally marks the start of Christmas shopping season — but where did Black Friday get its name?

Why is it called Black Friday?

The day was given its name as it is often the day that shops “move into the black” — meaning they have enough money to cover their costs while reducing prices.

In the UK the name traditionally refers to the Friday before Christmas, which is when police and NHS emergency services anticipate extra pressures put on them due to festive celebrations.

However, since 2014 the term has become more associated with the huge shopping event.

It is well known among shoppers as a day of bargains which has come across the pond from the US since the beginning of the 21st century.

Where did Black Friday come from?

It is traditionally the day which follows Thanksgiving in America and is regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

Thanksgiving Day, which always lands on the fourth Thursday in November, is a national holiday in the US — and the Friday is tagged on too.

This means Americans will have four days free to shop.

Retailers often stay open longer and/or start earlier with special deals to entice customers.

The idea has now spread across the world with many other countries also participating in the day — or week — of frenzied shopping.

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Each year, big retailers including Amazon, Argos and Morrisons use Black Friday to give massive price reductions to shoppers just before Christmas.

What is Black Friday?

On Black Friday retail prices heavily decrease for 24 hours in an attempt to get people to splash the cash in the run-up to Christmas.

But Black Friday has become a two-week shopping event for some retailers hoping to lure in customers first.

In the States, customers often queue for hours, even days, to get their hands on the best bargains.

Many deals will also be posted to their websites to avoid long lines overnight and mass crowds.

The majority of Brits opt to shop online, but some head to retail sites — which has caused chaos in some stores as people argue over discounted gadgets and appliances.

When is Black Friday 2023?

This year Black Friday will take place on November 24.

The day always falls the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday, which in 2023 is on Friday, November 23.

Originally a US-only sale, Black Friday has grown into a huge global shopping event featuring thousands of retailers across all categories.

It’s now just as big in the UK, and has become an unmissable sale for all keen bargain-hunters.

You can keep an eye on all the hottest offers by following updates on our best Black Friday deals 2023 guide — we’ll be adding all the new deals the second that they come in.

If you’ve enjoyed the sales before, you’ll know by now that plenty of retailers start their deals before the big day, so we recommend you start looking for deals at the start of November.

It’s also worth bookmarking any big purchases and checking back, as the best deals will be over the sales weekend itself.