186 million Americans will shop this Black Friday, the most ever. The holiday season could see $1 trillion in sales for the first time. Yet shoppers plan to spend 4% less per person this weekend, hunting for deeper discounts. And 236 years ago today, the very first national Thanksgiving accidentally created retail's most critical moment.
November 26, 1789: Americans celebrate the first national Thanksgiving, as proclaimed by George Washington.
Washington had issued the proclamation weeks earlier, designating this specific Thursday for gratitude and prayer. Nothing about commerce. No mention of shopping. Just a day to give thanks for the new Constitution and the blessings of freedom.
But this date, November 26, would echo through history. As Thanksgiving evolved into an annual tradition, families gathered. They traveled. They needed supplies. And the day after? Merchants eventually noticed something special happening.
The evolution from prayer to profit was gradual, then sudden: • 1924: Macy's launches its parade, making Thanksgiving the gateway to Christmas shopping • 1950s-60s: Philadelphia police coin "Black Friday" for the post-Thanksgiving chaos • 1980s: Retailers rebrand it to mean going "into the black" • 2005: Cyber Monday is born • Today: $1 trillion holiday economy
November 26, 1789 was meant for reflection. It became the cornerstone of an economic engine that now accounts for 20-30% of annual retail sales and employs millions of seasonal workers.
The Numbers That Drive Modern Retail: • Black Friday weekend: Nearly 187 million shoppers • Average spending: $622 per person this weekend • Holiday season: 20-30% of total annual sales • Make-or-break: Retailers' entire year decided in 6 weeks
💼 What This Means for Your Wallet:
This year's different. Shoppers are strategic, not panicked. 90% will shop discount retailers. 38% will only buy items at least 50% off. Retailers started promotions earlier (Walmart began November 14) to capture cautious spenders.
Your playbook: • Stack savings: Combine sales with coupons and cash-back offers • Early bird deals still matter (5am Kohl's, 6am Target/Walmart) • Gift cards at 15-20% discounts are coming • Watch for spot promotions that don't last long
The K-shaped recovery means higher earners drive spending while others pull back. Retailers know this. They're fighting harder for every dollar.
On this day in 1789, Washington gave Americans a day for gratitude. Today, that same date marks the eve of capitalism's Super Bowl. From colonial prayer to trillion-dollar commerce in 236 years.
Note: Featured image is an AI-generated historical illustration, not a period photograph (time machines remain on backorder until Cyber Monday).
Which retailers will win the battle for strategic shoppers?
Inspired Money
186 million Americans will shop this Black Friday, the most ever. The holiday season could see $1 trillion in sales for the first time. Yet shoppers plan to spend 4% less per person this weekend, hunting for deeper discounts. And 236 years ago today, the very first national Thanksgiving accidentally created retail's most critical moment.
November 26, 1789: Americans celebrate the first national Thanksgiving, as proclaimed by George Washington.
Washington had issued the proclamation weeks earlier, designating this specific Thursday for gratitude and prayer. Nothing about commerce. No mention of shopping. Just a day to give thanks for the new Constitution and the blessings of freedom.
But this date, November 26, would echo through history. As Thanksgiving evolved into an annual tradition, families gathered. They traveled. They needed supplies. And the day after? Merchants eventually noticed something special happening.
The evolution from prayer to profit was gradual, then sudden:
• 1924: Macy's launches its parade, making Thanksgiving the gateway to Christmas shopping
• 1950s-60s: Philadelphia police coin "Black Friday" for the post-Thanksgiving chaos
• 1980s: Retailers rebrand it to mean going "into the black"
• 2005: Cyber Monday is born
• Today: $1 trillion holiday economy
November 26, 1789 was meant for reflection. It became the cornerstone of an economic engine that now accounts for 20-30% of annual retail sales and employs millions of seasonal workers.
The Numbers That Drive Modern Retail:
• Black Friday weekend: Nearly 187 million shoppers
• Average spending: $622 per person this weekend
• Holiday season: 20-30% of total annual sales
• Make-or-break: Retailers' entire year decided in 6 weeks
💼 What This Means for Your Wallet:
This year's different. Shoppers are strategic, not panicked. 90% will shop discount retailers. 38% will only buy items at least 50% off. Retailers started promotions earlier (Walmart began November 14) to capture cautious spenders.
Your playbook:
• Stack savings: Combine sales with coupons and cash-back offers
• Early bird deals still matter (5am Kohl's, 6am Target/Walmart)
• Gift cards at 15-20% discounts are coming
• Watch for spot promotions that don't last long
The K-shaped recovery means higher earners drive spending while others pull back. Retailers know this. They're fighting harder for every dollar.
On this day in 1789, Washington gave Americans a day for gratitude. Today, that same date marks the eve of capitalism's Super Bowl. From colonial prayer to trillion-dollar commerce in 236 years.
Note: Featured image is an AI-generated historical illustration, not a period photograph (time machines remain on backorder until Cyber Monday).
Which retailers will win the battle for strategic shoppers?
1 week ago | [YT] | 3