In the United States, the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Every kind of retailer, regardless of size, vies to get customers into its stores using sales, discounts, and special offers. Before any promotion or sale begins, customers are bombarded with advertisements, mailings, and other promotional offers in order to create excitement and ultimately entice them to visit the store. Stores often open very early and stay open very late in order to maximize the day’s sales. It is called “Black Friday” because it marks the point at which retailers begin to turn [...]