"Black Friday used to have a very specific look: people bundled in blankets, holding warm coffee, standing in long lines outside stores before the sun came up. Some still show up for that, but most of the day has shifted online. It's less about crowds and more about scrolling in a warm bed, checking deals between tasks, and letting the hype find you wherever you are. The tradition didn't fade, it just changed shape."
"What makes Black Friday so tempting is how it triggers a quick hit of adrenaline. A countdown timer, a flashing discount, a "few left in stock" message, these small things can make an ordinary item feel like a rare opportunity. Even when everyone knows the urgency is partly manufactured, it still works. The brain reacts before logic does, and that feeling of "I should buy this before it's gone" can feel almost addictive."
"Social media adds its own influence. Pinterest makes shopping look clean and aesthetic, showing perfectly styled gift ideas and winter outfits. TikTok, especially, plays a huge role. Black Friday hauls fill the "For You" page with people unboxing discounted items, giving real-time reactions and showing before-and-after prices in a way that feels convincing. The videos move fast, the excitement feels genuine, and the comments section becomes its own mini shopping guide with people asking for links, comparing deals and sharing what they bought."
Black Friday shifted from in-person early-morning store lines to online browsing, with many shoppers scrolling deals from home. Urgency cues such as countdown timers, flashing discounts, and 'few left in stock' messages trigger adrenaline and prompt rapid purchase decisions, often before logical evaluation. Social platforms shape perceptions: Pinterest presents stylized gift ideas, while TikTok features fast unboxing hauls, before-and-after prices, and active comment sections that function as informal shopping guides. Sales commonly serve as justification for unplanned purchases by providing an emotional reward beyond monetary savings. The click of 'add to cart' produces a dopamine spike that reinforces impulse buying.
Read at Her Campus
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