What is the Difference Between Black and White Friday?

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The main difference between Black Friday and White Friday is the name and the region where they are celebrated. Both events are shopping festivals that take place on the last Friday of November and offer customers significant discounts and promotions on various products and services. Here are the key points:

  • Black Friday: This event is celebrated in the United States and originated in the 1960s. It is a single day of shopping discounts and deals, following Thanksgiving Day, which is typically the fourth Thursday in November.
  • White Friday: This event is celebrated in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and was initiated by countries like Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. In contrast to Black Friday, White Friday typically spans four days, running from the Friday after Thanksgiving until the Monday after Thanksgiving (known as Cyber Monday in the U.S.). The term "White Friday" was introduced in 2014 by Souq.com, which is now Amazon in Arabia.

The reason for the different names is that the color black is associated with unhappiness and negativity in the Middle East, while white is associated with positivity and happiness. Therefore, the MENA region chose to use the term "White Friday" instead of "Black Friday" for their shopping festival.

Comparative Table: Black vs White Friday

The main difference between Black Friday and White Friday lies in their geographical context and the meaning behind the terms. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

Feature Black Friday White Friday
Origin United States Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
Term Meaning "Black" signifies profits in sales "White" signifies purity and Friday is a holy prayer day for Muslims
Duration Traditionally lasts for one day Lasts for four days
Target Audience Sales target audience all over the world Fine-tuned to cater more to the Middle-eastern market
Time of Year Held on the day after Thanksgiving, generally the last Friday in November Occurs on the Friday following the West's Thanksgiving festival, at the end of the month of November

Both Black Friday and White Friday are shopping events that offer significant discounts and promotions, encouraging consumers to shop and boosting retail sales. They were initiated in different regions, with Black Friday originating in the United States and White Friday being established in the MENA region, including countries like Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The terms "Black" and "White" carry different meanings in these regions, with "Black" signifying profits in sales in the US and "White" signifying purity and being a holy prayer day for Muslims in the MENA region.