Retailers like Target and Walmart stretched out their traditional Black Friday sales throughout the whole month of November, but post-Thanksgiving shopping sprees will still be available. Cyber Monday will feature big deals online as usual, and lesser-known Giving Tuesday and Small Business Saturday are especially important during COVID-19.
American Express helped create Small Business Saturday during the 2010 recession, and in 2011, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution supporting the day, according to the company’s website. But small businesses need business this year more than ever.
“In fact, 62% of U.S. small businesses reported that they need to see consumer spending return to pre-COVID levels by the end of 2020 in order to stay in business. When you shop small this holiday season – and all year long – you can help create a big impact,” the company states on their website.
American Express has a small business finder on their website, but shoppers can support any small business.
Giving Tuesday, held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, isn’t just limited to financial donations.
GivingTuesday.org states, “[Giving Tuesday] is about giving of all types — some may choose to give a financial contribution to their favorite cause or a fundraising drive, others will opt to reach out to neighbors, start an advocacy campaign, donate goods or extra supplies, share gratitude to front-line workers and those keeping us safe. If you can show generosity and share kindness, you have something to give!”
The first Giving Tuesday was held in 2012. “Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity,” states a release from GivingTuesday.org.
Givers can donate to their favorite non-profit, or find volunteer opportunities at VolunteerMatch.org.
The day after Thanksgiving has been a major holiday shopping day since the 1920s, according to BlackFriday.com. However, the name “Black Friday” was born in the 1960s, in part to mark when retailers’ accounting showed a transition from financial loss (in the “red”) to profit (in the ‘black’.) Additionally, Philadelphia police officers complained about the busy streets due to the shopping spree, and in 1960, they dubbed the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday,” according to BlackFriday.com.
Big box stores have tried to spread out holiday shopping across November this year, but they’re also featuring sales on Black Friday. Walmart will open new deals in its stores at 5 a.m. local time on November 27, according to a press release. Many stores also feature enhanced COVID-19 precautions.
“Customers will form a single, straight line to enter the store. Associates will hand out sanitized shopping carts to customers to help with social distancing, and Health Ambassadors will be placed at entrances to greet customers and remind them to put on a mask,” the Walmart press release states.
In addition to in-person deals, stores including Macy’s, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy already have sales live on their websites. For a list of the best 2020 Black Friday deals, visit BlackFriday.com.
In 2005, the National Retail Foundation coined the term ‘Cyber Monday’ to describe increased online sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving. As high-speed internet became more common, more people opted to shop online. According to BlackFriday.com, the line between Cyber Monday and Black Friday is blurring as retailers feature more deals on their website. However, there is still a distinction.
For online shopping, Black Friday features the best deals on TVs, toys, gaming consoles, and appliances, according to BlackFriday.com. Save online purchases like computers, clothing, travel, and subscriptions for Cyber Monday.
President Donald Trump issued a reminder on Wednesday. “This Thanksgiving, we reaffirm our everlasting gratitude for all that we enjoy, and we commemorate the legacy of generosity bestowed upon us by our forbearers. Although challenges remain, we will never yield in our quest to live up to the promise of our heritage.”
His Thanksgiving proclamation continues, “As we gather with our loved ones, we resolve with abiding faith and patriotism to celebrate the joys of freedom and cherish the hope and peace of a brighter future ahead.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].
