Every year, at the end of November, a wave of excitement sweeps through the world of retail. Storefronts light up, advertisements multiply, and eager shoppers prepare to hunt for the best bargains. This global phenomenon has become synonymous with great deals: Black Friday. In Québec, people often refer to it instead as Vendredi fou or Vendredi noir, terms that are now well rooted in everyday language. Born in the United States, this major shopping event has established itself as a true ritual of modern consumer culture. Initially celebrated the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday, it traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Over the years, the concept has crossed borders, becoming a major commercial event in Canada, Europe, and many other parts of the world.
The Art of Preparing for Black Friday
To make the most of Black Friday, a little preparation goes a long way. The best deals disappear fast! Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the day stress-free.
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- Plan ahead.
Make a list of the products or experiences you’re interested in. Compare prices a few weeks before the event to identify the real bargains. - Set a budget.
The excitement of the moment can sometimes lead to impulsive purchases. Decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend so that you can enjoy the experience without regrets. - Subscribe to newsletters and follow social media.
This is a golden tip: many brands reveal their promotions first to their subscribers. Coffrets Prestige, for example, encourages its customers to sign up for its newsletter and follow its social media accounts to be the first to know about Black Friday — or Vendredi fou — sales and to benefit from exclusive discounts.
Newsletter subscribers even gain access to the VIP Black Friday, a special offer that allows them to enjoy early promotions before the general public. A true advantage you won’t want to miss! - Prioritize quality.
Black Friday is the perfect occasion to purchase quality products or services at a better price. Instead of accumulating small impulsive buys, choose thoughtful, meaningful, durable purchases.
- Plan ahead.
An Event That Evolves with Its Time
With the rise of online shopping, Black Friday has undergone a true transformation. The long lines outside stores have given way to quick clicks on digital storefronts. Today, shoppers can make their purchases from the comfort of their homes, at any time of day or night. This shift to the digital world has made the event more accessible, but it has also increased competition between brands. To stand out, many companies now focus on the quality of the customer experience and on more sustainable values. The idea of Green Friday is gaining attention—a more responsible approach that encourages thoughtful purchases and supports local businesses. This philosophy also guides Coffrets Prestige, whose mission is to highlight local partners: inns, restaurants, spas, artisans, and Quebec-based companies. Each gift box sold supports the local economy while promoting a respectful and enriching form of local tourism. Moreover, for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint, Coffrets Prestige’s virtual gift boxes offer a wonderful alternative: practical, eco-friendly, and instantaneous, they provide the joy of giving—without printing or shipping.
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Memories Over Things: The Joy of Giving Experiences
In a world that moves fast, where objects multiply and quickly go out of style, giving an experience holds a special value. It is etched into memory, shared through stories, and passed on. It is a gift that continues to live long after it has been received. So, instead of accumulating material possessions, why not use Black Friday as an opportunity to give experiences? This is where Coffrets Prestige comes in—a well-known Quebec-based company offering unique and diverse gift boxes. For several years, Coffrets Prestige has fully embraced the spirit of Black Friday, or Vendredi fou, by offering a week of exceptional sales on a wide range of activities: gourmet getaways, outdoor adventures, spa relaxation, creative workshops, and much more.
Making the Most of Black Friday
Black Friday is more than just a day of shopping. It is also a moment for planning, comparing, and giving with intention. When approached thoughtfully, it can become a helpful way to lighten holiday expenses while still treating loved ones to meaningful gifts. Once again this year, Coffrets Prestige is offering exclusive Black Friday discounts, along with special VIP access for newsletter subscribers. To make sure you don’t miss out, sign up now and follow the company on social media: Facebook and Instagram. You’ll be among the first to discover the special offers and enjoy the best deals of the season..
Black Friday: A Tradition Rooted in American History
The term “Black Friday” has its origins in the mid-20th century. Several stories intertwine, but one of the most widely shared dates to the 1960s in Philadelphia, where police officers used the expression to describe the chaos caused by crowds of shoppers flooding the streets after Thanksgiving. Over time, the name stuck, and its meaning evolved: “black” no longer referred to urban disorder, but rather to the profits made by retailers, who symbolically went from being “in the red” (losses) to “in the black” (gains).
Starting in the 1980s, major American retailers began organizing massive promotional campaigns to mark the occasion. The spectacular, limited-time discounts attracted crowds in the early hours of the morning. The image of customers lining up in front of stores before dawn quickly became iconic.
With the rise of online shopping, the phenomenon grew even larger. Black Friday deals were no longer confined to a single day: the sales stretched across the weekend and often peaked the following Monday with Cyber Monday, dedicated to online bargains. Today, promotions can even span several weeks—clear proof that the event has reached global proportions.
The Rise of Black Friday in Canada
In Canada, Black Friday—often referred to here as Vendredi fou—truly took hold in the early 2010s. Initially perceived as a purely American concept, it quickly secured a place in the Canadian retail landscape. Consumers saw it as the perfect opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping at lower prices, while retailers recognized it as a valuable moment to boost sales before December.
Today, Black Friday has become a key event in the Canadian economic calendar. Local businesses compete creatively to offer attractive discounts, and shoppers eagerly anticipate exclusive deals. It is a time of year when everyone can enjoy treating themselves and others—while still staying within their budget.