Retailers eye big Black Friday gains as shoppers go all out

Over the past week, Indian smartphones have been buzzing with a flurry of messages advertising discounts surpassing 50 per cent and tempting buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) deals, mirroring the high-decibel marketing blitz familiar to American shoppers.

- SHARLEEN D'SOUZA & PEERZADA ABRAR

Black Friday, traditionally a post-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza in the US, has captured the imagination of bargain hunters in India like never before.

Black Friday, which caught retail attention in India just a couple of years ago, is getting bigger across high streets and online marketplaces. With the festival taking off on an enthusiastic note this season, retailers are betting on at least a high single-digit surge in sales over the next three days.

In the times to come, industry players expect the event to rival the massive shopping activity typically seen on Independence Day (August 15) or Republic Day (January 26).

The origins trace back to 1950s Philadelphia, where the term "Black Friday" was coined by police to describe the chaotic post-Thanksgiving crowds.

But as this shopping festival becomes a global phenomenon, Indian brands and retailers are increasingly embracing its appeal, adapting it to suit the local market.

Vijay Sales, a leading consumer electronics chain, expects a two-to-threefold spike in sales this weekend, offering steep discounts of up to 70 per cent on products like television panels, refrigerators, and small appliances.