BLACK FRIDAY
Black Friday has grown far beyond a day of excited (or reckless) spending. Today it marks the unofficial start of the global holiday shopping season, heavily influencing consumer behaviour, company bottom lines, and impacting the financial markets. As people prepare for the Christmas rush, retailers, consumer-goods companies, and travel companies are competing to offer heavy discounts to trigger demand ahead of the festive period. This year, spending is expected to be high, amid stable inflation and a competitive online marketplace, giving many companies a chance to end the year strongly.
- BLACK FRIDAY: WHY CONSUMER SPENDING COULD SURGE
Even though some remain concerned about the cost of living, consumer sentiment has stabilised. Most surveys suggest that shoppers are more value-conscious and have become more selective about what they buy. Retailers understand that it pays off to save their greatest promotions for this period. Many brands in the personal tech, electronics, and home goods sectors are expected to cut prices aggressively, including top-selling items like smartphones. Retailers have stated their inventory levels are full, giving them a good incentive to offer sharp discounts. Online purchases continue to dominate, allowing companies like Amazon to benefit by positioning themselves as a convenient ‘one-stop shop’.
- AMAZON: NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND STOCK PERFORMANCE
Amazon is seen as the company that benefits the most from Black Friday, with its position as the leading retailer driving sales. The company has enjoyed a strong run this year. Its cloud division has outperformed expectations, and revenue growth has been solid. The expansion of partnerships in entertainment and live sports streaming has boosted Prime membership numbers. Black Friday promotions, including personal electronics and home devices, are expected to attract record numbers of website traffic. Over the past year, its stock price has increased by 10%. The fact that tech stocks have pulled back in November could make the stock even more attractive going into Black Friday.
- APPLE: IPHONE MOMENTUM AND STRONG STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
The holiday season is historically Apple’s most profitable, and this year the company has a spring in its step after the release of its latest iPhone. The company is approaching the Black Friday period with considerable confidence. Many Apple products are also being offered at discounted prices this year. Apple’s stock price has climbed steadily, with increases driven by strong iPhone demand and enthusiasm for the latest AI-enabled device technology. While the wider tech market has seen volatility, Apple’s loyal customer base, its strong ecosystem, and cash reserves underpin its strong valuation. Its stock price has climbed 17% over the past year. The iPhone, though, remains the main driver, accounting for half of the company's revenue, and its latest iPhone 17 has shown stronger sales than previous releases.
- TRAVEL AND AIRLINES, CONCERNS OVER OIL DEMAND OUTWEIGH CONFLICT
Travel companies also benefit from the seasonal rush. Airlines traditionally see bookings spike from November until early January. Lower fuel prices in recent months have supported airline margins, enabling airlines to keep ticket prices at lower levels while consumer appetite for leisure travel remains strong, as many prepare to return home to spend Christmas with their families.
Many carriers have launched Black Friday sales, hoping to capitalise on pent-up travel demand, and early signs suggest the winter season could benefit companies such as Delta, American Airlines, United, and others.
Conclusion
Black Friday has become an annual event. This year, the shopping season is expected to see sharp discounts and solid consumer spending. Amazon will continue to use its logistics and partnerships to dominate online sales. Apple traditionally sees strong demand for its products in this period. Airlines, meanwhile, hope to benefit from a surge in seasonal travel. The ending of the government shutdown, the prospect of a Fed rate cut in December, and the prospect of stimulus cheques next year, outlined by President Trump, are other encouraging factors for consumer spending.
If these trends hold, the Black Friday period could deliver a welcome boost to retailers, technology companies, and travel providers alike—setting the stage for a strong finish to the year.