But now, sales on those days are the norm, showing that over time, society grows accustomed to changes and demands of the free market.

CNN: Retail employees fight 'Black Friday creep'

Charles Peabody of Ventana Capital, a research firm, points out that houses are taking longer to be sold and that there are more sales at below the asking price (the norm until recently was for the final price to be higher).

ECONOMIST: The economy

Norm Thompson is experimenting with ways to use more recycled content without affecting sales.

CNN: Catalog company going lean and green