The United States has ushered in its busiest shopping period of the year—a season that is crucial for the success or failure of most retailers. For decades, Black Friday, which marks the beginning of the end-of-year holiday season in the United States, has been renowned for its images of stores packed with consumers, with many shoppers opting to camp out at midnight in the hope of being the first to purchase discounted items they desire. With the rise of online shopping, brick-and-mortar stores are facing stiffer competition, while still-high prices also make consumers more cautious.
