The Black Friday Expedition
30 days in the life of an item before Black Friday
We're climbing to the summit of November 26, the day before Black Friday, to see whether the mountain really exists, and what happens on the other side.
Before Black Friday, some prices go up, then “drop” on the day.
Sometimes Black Friday isn't even the lowest price. We've seen it before: an isolated case or a habit? To find out, we're following the trail of item prices in several countries, day after day, since the start on October 21.
The questions are set in advance.
A rope team announces its route before setting out on the face. We're doing the same: here is what we will measure, fixed before the result, so that nobody can bend the conclusion afterwards. The answers will be published here on November 27, and on December 4 for the last one, whatever the outcome, even if it's unremarkable.
Do prices go up?
Share of items whose price on November 26 is higher than at the start.
Do prices drop on the day?
Share of items whose price on November 27 is lower than on the 26th.
Is Black Friday the cheapest?
Share of items whose price on November 27 is the lowest recorded since October 21 (within 0.5%).
Do prices come back up?
Share of items whose price on December 4 is higher than on November 27.
Will Black Friday be cheaper than at the start?
Six items. For each one, bet on its price on Friday, November 27: lower, the same or higher than its starting price.
Questions?
Need the data?
Write to us: we'll send you the expedition data and answer your questions.