20 photos of Black Friday that show why it should be canceled this year

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Gabbi Shaw,Max KalnitzNov 13, 2020, 22:06 IST
20 photos of Black Friday that show why it should be canceled this year

People cram in the doors of a JC Penny during Black Friday in 2014.Kena Betancur/Getty Images

  • Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year in the US, drawing millions of people for holiday shopping deals.
  • But this year, people may be reluctant to be head to the shops alongside so many strangers.
  • While some stores have adjusted their opening hours, expanded their online deals, and promised to limit the numbers of shoppers inside, many stores will still be open this year.
  • If you're on the fence about jumping in line, these 20 pictures from previous Black Fridays might help you make up your mind.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is usually the biggest shopping day of the year in the US, though this year might be different.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise and the threat of large crowds creating superspreader events, some stores are reducing their hours, sanitizing their carts, and limiting the number of people they're allowing inside, and shoppers will have to decide if lining up for deals outweighs the potential health risks. A new study from Deloitte found that roughly 51% of holiday shoppers feel anxious about shopping in-store during the holidays and 64% say their budget is slated for online shopping.

Photos from previous Black Fridays show just how close shoppers can get in the scramble for the best deals — images that, after months of social distancing, might horrify you.

Here are 20 photos that might convince you to wait out the weekend and get your holiday shopping done on Cyber Monday instead.

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Usually, before you can even get inside the store, you have to navigate the treacherously crowded parking lot.

Usually, before you can even get inside the store, you have to navigate the treacherously crowded parking lot.
A congested parking lot on Black Friday in 2005. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

It's not surprising that you'd experience traffic on Black Friday — according to the National Retail Foundation, in 2017 an estimated 174 million Americans went shopping over the Black Friday weekend.

People get up in the wee hours and stand outside in the late November cold to get the best deals.

People get up in the wee hours and stand outside in the late November cold to get the best deals.
People wait in line during Black Friday in 2004. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

This year, major retailers are spreading their deals across several days, in a bid to prevent the usual crowds. Some are also expanding their online and curbside pickup options.

Stores are also limiting the number of people allowed in the store at any one time — time will tell if this creates even longer lines outside.

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Social distancing could prove to be pretty tough when there are potentially hundreds of people waiting in line together.

Social distancing could prove to be pretty tough when there are potentially hundreds of people waiting in line together.
People line up for a Black Friday giveaway outside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, in 2017. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Standing in line with hundreds of strangers in the cold during the coronavirus pandemic seems like a bad idea.

As soon as the doors open, all bets are off.

As soon as the doors open, all bets are off.
People cram in the doors of a JC Penny during Black Friday in 2014. Kena Betancur/Getty Images

Even if social distancing is encouraged by markers on the sidewalk outside the store, once inside, things could get a little too close for comfort.

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The entrances look more like floodgates than doors.

The entrances look more like floodgates than doors.
Shoppers enter a Kmart as it opens on Thanksgiving night November 22, 2012, in Griffith, Indiana. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

It seems like every Black Friday, videos of people spilling over one another to enter a store go viral. Time will tell if this year is different.

Social distancing will be important inside the stores, something that seemed inconceivable on previous Black Fridays.

Social distancing will be important inside the stores, something that seemed inconceivable on previous Black Fridays.
Black Friday shoppers clog the aisles at a New York City Macy's Department store in 2003. Stephen Chernin/Getty Images

Most stores are requiring masks and limiting the number of people indoors. Carts are coming sanitized and some stores, like Best Buy, will have masks for shoppers who need one.

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In the past, store aisles have been especially prone to traffic jams, which is not good for social distancing.

In the past, store aisles have been especially prone to traffic jams, which is not good for social distancing.
A traffic jam is negotiated in the aisles of Toys R Us, in San Rafael, CA, on November 25, 2010. Mike Adaskaveg/AP Images

Shopping carts aren't the easiest things to navigate around hundreds of other shoppers and congested aisles.

An aerial view shows just how frightening Black Friday shopping can be.

An aerial view shows just how frightening Black Friday shopping can be.
Shoppers reach out for television sets as they compete to purchase retail items on Black Friday at a store in Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 24, 2016. Nacho Doce/Reuters

Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday are excellent alternatives.

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Even trampling has occurred on Black Friday in the rush to get the best deals.

Even trampling has occurred on Black Friday in the rush to get the best deals.
Crowds rush into a Walmart store as the doors open at 5 a.m. on November 25, 2005, in Miami, Florida. Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

Stampedes have taken place as people flood inside stores.

Black Friday even gets violent sometimes.

Black Friday even gets violent sometimes.
Shoppers at a Walmart during Black Friday in 2016. Gunnar Rathbun/AP Images for Walmart

This year Walmart will have "health ambassadors" reminding people to wear masks. Here's how else Walmart is changing its Black Friday sale because of the coronavirus.

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So if you find something you like, hold on tight.

So if you find something you like, hold on tight.
People look at a rack of handbags during early Black Friday sales at Macy's Herald Square in NYC on November 24, 2016. Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Chances are, someone else is eyeing the exact same thing.

People may fight you for a coveted item.

People may fight you for a coveted item.
Black Friday masses. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Do you really need that new *whatever* that bad?

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In fact, there's a website dedicated to the Black Friday death toll.

In fact, there's a website dedicated to the Black Friday death toll.
Shoppers reach out for television sets as they compete to purchase retail items on Black Friday at a store in Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 23, 2017. Paulo Whitaker/REUTERS

People have been shot and stabbed on Black Friday.

It's essentially "The Hunger Games" inside.

It's essentially "The Hunger Games" inside.
People shop at Macy's on Black Friday on November 23, 2017, in New York City. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Everyone reaches for the same deal.

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Crowds aside, shopping at 5 a.m. is exhausting.

Crowds aside, shopping at 5 a.m. is exhausting.
People shop at Macy's on November 28, 2008, in New York City. Yana Paskova/Getty Images

Many Black Friday sales now start late Thursday evening.

Besides, with all the stress 2020 has caused us, who wants to camp out in the cold?

Besides, with all the stress 2020 has caused us, who wants to camp out in the cold?
Shoppers wait for midnight under a canopy at a Best Buy store November 24, 2011, in Santee, California. Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Pictured, shoppers wait outside a Best Buy in 2011. This year, Best Buy is offering Black Friday deals throughout November, but stores are still opening at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. Like Walmart, Best Buy will require face masks and limit the number of people allowed in-store. Almost all Best Buy stores will offer free same-day delivery and next-day delivery will be available nation-wide.

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And when you finally make it inside, you're still surrounded by people — a lot of them.

And when you finally make it inside, you're still surrounded by people — a lot of them.
Customers stream into Macy's flagship store in Herald Square on Thanksgiving evening for early Black Friday sales on November 26, 2015, in New York City. Kena Betancur/Getty Images

After roughly nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, seeing this many people together just doesn't seem right.

Even thrift stores aren't safe from the crowds.

Even thrift stores aren't safe from the crowds.
Shoppers search bins for toys at a Goodwill thrift store on Black Friday, November 26, 2010, in Denver, CO. John Moore/Getty Images

Thought you could beat the big box store rush at your local thrift store? Think again.

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Remember that even if you do your Black Friday shopping online, it can still be a nightmare for employees.

Remember that even if you do your Black Friday shopping online, it can still be a nightmare for employees.
Workers collect customer orders during Black Friday deals week at an Amazon fulfillment center in Hemel Hempstead, Britain, on November 25, 2015. Neil Hall/Reuters

Factory workers are already experiencing fatigue from a spike in online orders during the pandemic. Things are only going to get worse as holiday shopping commences.

Really, you might want to sit this one out.

Really, you might want to sit this one out.
Ceilene Gonzalez carries a bag with toys as she shops with her mother at the Toys R Us in Times Square November 23, 2007, in New York City. Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images

Read more:

Here's when stores will open for Black Friday sales

6 questions to ask yourself if you want to travel for the holidays, according to experts

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