Did you know that Americans did not invent Thanksgiving? The harvest festival is an English tradition, but it is also celebrated in various parts of the world. And Brazil?
In Brazil, the holiday is called “Dia de Ação de Graças” and the legend says that a Brazilian ambassador returning from the USA in the 1940s told President Gaspar Dutra about this amazing holiday celebration where Americans eat tons of food. So, the president incorporated the celebration into the last Thursday of November. However, “Dia de Ação de Graças” is not a holiday in Brazil and only a few people celebrate it. They go to church and express gratitude and appreciation to God for the abundant harvest throughout the year.
Although Thanksgiving is not a tradition in Brazil, Black Friday has become big. Retailers adopted the concept a few years ago and Brazilian consumers embraced it, even though it falls on a regular weekday there.
Brazilian retailers announce their promotions with the words “Black Friday” in English. Some companies offered discounts throughout the week, referring to them as special “Black Friday week” promotions.
Despite the gloomy political clouds and economic uncertainty, the country’s expectations for Black Friday 2017 are quite good. According to Google’s “Thank God It’s Friday” report, sales for this edition could increase by up to 20% compared to the same period last year in Brazil. In 2016, it generated R$ 1.9 billion in online sales for e-commerce; this year, sales are expected to reach R$ 2.2 billion.
The downside is that Black Friday in Brazil has also gained the name “Black Fraude” (black fraud). Consumer protection authorities often work extra shifts to protect against manipulative practices that are said to be common. The most common complaint is that sellers raise prices only to lower them afterward.
Source: Forbes