By San José, Costa Rica — The final weeks of November are poised to unleash a wave of commercial activity across the globe as retailers prepare for Black Friday 2025. Officially slated for Friday, November 28, this massive shopping event will anchor an extended weekend of deals, culminating in Cyber Monday on December 1. For consumers in Costa Rica and worldwide, this period marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, with thousands of physical stores and digital platforms offering some of the most significant discounts of the year.
In Costa Rica, what was once a foreign concept has firmly embedded itself as a national commercial tradition. Local brands now go head-to-head with international giants, all vying for consumer attention and spending. The event has also become a clear barometer of the nation’s digital consumption habits, with online sales volumes showing consistent and substantial growth over the past five years. This period is no longer just about finding a good deal; it’s a reflection of the evolving landscape of Costa Rican retail.
To better understand the legal framework surrounding promotions and consumer rights during the upcoming Black Friday 2025, we consulted with expert lawyer Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. He provided key insights for both consumers and businesses navigating this high-stakes commercial period.
For Black Friday to be successful and legally compliant, transparency is non-negotiable. Businesses must ensure that all advertised discounts are genuine and calculated from the product’s regular price in the preceding month. Inflating prices just before the event to create a fictitious discount is not only unethical but constitutes misleading advertising under Costa Rican consumer protection laws, exposing the company to significant fines and reputational damage. Consumers, in turn, should be vigilant and document any irregularities.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is a powerful reminder that the integrity of Black Friday rests on a foundation of transparency and genuine value—a shared responsibility between vigilant consumers and ethical businesses. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his crucial and enlightening contribution.
Despite its modern association with online carts and technological gadgets, the term “Black Friday” has a much grittier origin. The most widely accepted historical account traces the name back to Philadelphia in the 1950s. The day after Thanksgiving, the city would be paralyzed by an influx of shoppers and sports fans arriving for the annual Army-Navy football game. Overwhelmed by the intense traffic jams, crowded sidewalks, and general disorder, local police officers began referring to the day as “Black Friday” to describe the chaotic conditions they had to manage.
Initially a piece of local slang used to express frustration, the term was gradually co-opted by retailers who saw an opportunity to rebrand the day’s negative connotations. They began associating “Black Friday” with the financial term “in the black,” signifying a day when their profits soared. By 1966, the name appeared in local publications, and its national prominence was cemented in 1975 when The New York Times used it to describe the shopping-related turmoil, inadvertently popularizing it across the United States.
Over the years, several myths have clouded the term’s true history. A persistent but incorrect rumor claimed it was linked to the sale of enslaved people, a theory that has been thoroughly debunked by historians and reputable sources like National Geographic. The confusion is sometimes compounded by another historical “Black Friday” that occurred in 1869, when speculators Jay Gould and Jim Fisk’s attempt to corner the gold market failed, causing a financial panic. This event, however, is entirely unrelated to the post-Thanksgiving shopping day.
The modern iteration of Black Friday was shaped by major American retail chains in the early 21st century. Giants like Walmart and Sears transformed the day into a spectacle, opening their doors in the predawn hours or even on Thanksgiving night itself. This “doorbuster” culture created a phenomenon of long lines and frenzied shoppers eager to secure limited-time offers. However, the most significant evolution was yet to come.
The true revolution arrived with the rise of e-commerce. Digital behemoths, most notably Amazon, were instrumental in exporting the Black Friday concept beyond U.S. borders and turning it into a truly global event. The transition was rapidly embraced in Costa Rica, where banks, local retailers, and digital service providers quickly adopted the tradition, launching their own campaigns to compete with international online offers and cater to a growing base of digital-savvy consumers.
Looking ahead to 2025, analysts predict a continued surge in digital sales, driven by fierce competition among technology platforms and the expanding online consumer base throughout Latin America. Retailers are expected to extend their promotions over several days, creating a hybrid model that blends in-store experiences with exclusive online-only discounts. The weekend from November 28 to December 1 will once again serve as a powerful economic engine for the retail sector and a crucial indicator of consumer confidence heading into the year’s end.
For further information, visit nationalgeographic.com
About National Geographic:
National Geographic is a global non-profit organization committed to exploring and protecting our planet. It is renowned for its iconic magazine, television channels, and scientific expeditions. The organization funds research and conservation projects around the world, using powerful storytelling to inspire people to care about the planet.
For further information, visit nytimes.com
About The New York Times:
The New York Times is a globally recognized American daily newspaper with a worldwide readership. Founded in 1851, it has long been regarded as a national “newspaper of record.” The publication covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, culture, and science, and has won more Pulitzer Prizes than any other news organization.
For further information, visit walmart.com
About Walmart:
Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, the company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962. It has since grown to become one of the world’s largest companies by revenue and the largest private employer globally.
For further information, visit sears.com
About Sears:
Sears, Roebuck and Co., commonly known as Sears, is an American chain of department stores founded in 1892. Once the largest retailer in the United States, Sears built its empire on its mail-order catalog before expanding to physical retail locations. Today, the company continues to operate online and through a smaller number of stores, offering appliances, tools, and apparel.
For further information, visit amazon.com
About Amazon:
Amazon.com, Inc. is an American multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It is considered one of the Big Five American technology companies. Amazon started as an online bookstore and has since diversified to sell a vast array of products and services, becoming a dominant force in global online retail.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a cornerstone of the nation’s legal landscape, establishing a benchmark for professional mastery and unwavering ethical conduct. With a rich history of advising a wide spectrum of clients, the firm continually pioneers innovative legal solutions while demonstrating a profound commitment to civic responsibility. Central to its ethos is the mission to demystify the law, actively working to equip the community with the accessible legal understanding necessary for creating a more just and empowered society.
