Cyber Monday vs Black Friday are two of the special occasions to attract online shopping. As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumers are often faced with a crucial decision: should they take advantage of Black Friday deals or wait for Cyber Monday? Both days promise significant discounts and special offers, but each has its own unique advantages.

In this article, BSS Commerce Shopify will compare the two shopping events to help you determine which one offers better deals for your needs.

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Overview

Overview of Cyber Monday – The Day of Digital

In 2005, the term ‘Cyber Monday’ was introduced to the world to define the online shopping holiday that falls on the Monday of the Thanksgiving weekend in the US. It was a period when several e-commerce sites, would entice customers to make purchases over the extended holidays, with special deals and offers. In contemporary times, Cyber Monday has ceased being an American holiday alone. It has developed into an international trend, with shoppers from different nations taking part in the frenzy.

overview of Cyber Monday

History and Origins:

  • Coined in 2005: The phrase ‘Cyber Monday’ was coined by Shop.org, a branch of the National Retail Federation, back in 2005. They noted the spike in online sales that usually occurs on the Monday after Thanksgiving and came up with a brilliant marketing agenda to brand that day.
  • Online Shopping Boom: Between the turn of the 21st century and the early 2000s, more people became aware of the internet and eCommerce. This was even more favorable for the growth of the phenomenon that is known as Cyber Monday.
  • Retailer Participation: Retailers operating online were quick to adopt Cyber Monday as a strategy to increase their sales during the peak holiday shopping period. Exclusive deals, discounts, and other promotions were offered to lure in customers.
  • Growing Popularity: In the last few decades, Cyber Monday has become well-known throughout the globe. Even people or consumers from other countries than the USA started participating in the activity in one way or the other by enjoying the online offers and discounts.

Over the years, Cyber Monday has developed from an unfamiliar concept back in 2005 to an international commercial phenomenon. With the changing times and improvements in technology, the practice of Cyber Monday will still be in vogue within the holiday shopping experience.

Overview of Black Friday – The King of Traditional Discounts

Black Friday is a term used to describe the day after Thanksgiving Day in the United States, typically the fourth Friday in November. It is characterized by heavy retail store traffic and significant discounts offered by retailers.

overview of Black Friday

History and Origins:

  • Early Origins: The phrase “Black Friday” probably has its roots from Philadelphia, United States way back in the 1950s. Police were the first to use the expression to refer to the ideal congestion the day after Thanksgiving there would be when people rush to the shops to acquire items on ‘after-thanksgiving’ sales.
  • Shift in Meaning: In the previous years however ‘black Friday’ took on a different meaning. The day became a significant sale day where most retailers made well over large sales losses.
  • Retailer Adoption: Corporations began to use Black Friday also as a capitalistic measure, with discounts and promotional prices made for the purposes of encouraging the public. This contributed in making Black Friday a Shopping Event in U.S.
  • Growing Popularity: The popularity of Black Friday has spread beyond the United States. Shoppers in other countries have also started participating in the event, taking advantage of the online deals and discounts offered by retailers.

Basically, Black Friday offers consumers the opportunity to find great deals and retailers the chance to boost their sales. As technology continues to advance, Black Friday is likely to remain a popular part of the holiday shopping season.

The Final Verdict: Black Friday is celebrated the day after Thanksgiving and is associated with massive sales and discounts available in brick and mortar stores across various categories of goods. In contrast, Cyber Monday takes place the next Monday after Thanksgiving and focuses mostly on online shopping with businesses offering deep cuts in price and enticing deals on their websites and eCommerce platforms.

Key Differences Between Cyber Monday vs Black Friday

While both Black Friday vs Cyber Monday are popular shopping events that occur around Thanksgiving, they have distinct characteristics. This brief overview will highlight the key differences between these two shopping days:

Key Differences Cyber Monday Black Friday
Origin In the year 2005 In the year 1869
Timing Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.
Medium Exclusively online, catering to those who prefer shopping from the comfort of their homes. Traditionally known for in-store shopping, though online sales have become increasingly significant.
Benefits It is advantageous for both small businesses and retailers, as well as larger entities such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Alibaba Express, among others. It only benefits big retailers like Walmart, Kohl’s, etc.
Preference Cyber Monday effectively meets that demand by providing substantial discounts. Contemporary consumers exhibit a declining interest in Black Friday, primarily due to the overwhelming crowds associated with the event. Many individuals now favor spending quality time with their families and engaging in weekend shopping from the comfort of their homes.
Types of products
  • Technology and Gadgets: Cyber Monday presents an excellent opportunity to purchase technology products, including smartphones, tablets, headphones, and computer peripherals. The online discounts available for these items are often more substantial than those offered on Black Friday.
  • Software and Online Services: Numerous software and subscription service companies provide significant discounts on Cyber Monday, making it an ideal occasion to invest in software upgrades or acquire online courses and streaming services.
  • Niche Items: Cyber Monday is a favorable time to seek out niche and specialized products, such as musical instruments, fitness gear, and hobby-related items.
  • Electronics and Appliances: Black Friday is traditionally linked to substantial price reductions on electronic items, including televisions, laptops, and various appliances. Numerous retailers provide considerable discounts on high-end models, presenting an excellent opportunity for consumers aiming to enhance their technological investments.
  • Apparel and Fashion: Fashion retailers typically present markdowns on clothing, accessories, and footwear during Black Friday. This occasion serves as an ideal moment to refresh your wardrobe with items suited for the current season.
  • Home Goods: A wide array of both physical and online retailers offer promotions on home goods, encompassing furniture, decorative items, and kitchenware.
Shopping Strategy As the majority of shopping occurs online, consumers are advised to create a wish list and evaluate prices on various websites. Subscribing to retailer newsletters can be beneficial, as it provides notifications regarding exclusive offers and promotional codes. Being prepared to make swift purchasing decisions is essential, as inventory for highly desired items may deplete within minutes. Consumers can gain advantages by preparing in advance. Compiling a wish list and monitoring promotions can assist in preventing impulsive buying.

While discounts may be quite competitive, it is also recommended to explore brick-and-mortar stores for unique offers. Additionally, arriving early is prudent to secure the best bargains, as sought-after items often deplete rapidly.

 

You may concern: 15 Halloween Marketing Ideas for Shopify Stores

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday – Additional Considerations

1. Shipping May Be More on Cyber Monday

On Cyber Monday you may pay more for shipping. Since Cyber Monday is all about online shopping shipping costs can be a big factor in your buying decisions. Historically many retailers have offered free shipping on Cyber Monday, no matter what the minimum purchase. But that’s not always the case and some retailers will charge shipping, adding to the total cost of your purchase. So look for free shipping promotions or check shipping costs before you buy.

2. You Can’t Shop Where You Want on Black Friday

Shopping from store to store on Black Friday is a pain. This involves driving to multiple locations in the cold, finding parking, and fighting crowds in the stores. Cyber Monday is much more efficient; just type in a new URL and you can shop from any retailer you want.

3. More Time to Prepare for Black Friday Sales

You have plenty of time to get ready for Black Friday as many deals are promoted weeks in advance. Cyber Monday deals are more last minute. There are fewer ads for Cyber Monday and they may appear after Black Friday not before. The ads that do come out earlier are at the end of Black Friday deals so you can miss them. Make sure to read all ads when planning your shopping.

Best Strategies for Maximizing the Benefits of Both Events

Both Cyber Monday vs Black Friday are amazing opportunities for smart shoppers. To make the most of these sales events you need to have a strategy. This guide will share practical tips and tricks to help you get the most out of these shopping extravaganzas:

1. Effective methods for tracking deals: A way to make sure you get the best deals is to sign up for newsletters and alerts from retailers. Many stores send exclusive offers via email and by signing up for these you get early access to sales and special deals. Some retailers also give their subscribers unique discount codes so it’s worth joining these programs. Plus using deal tracking services like apps and websites can help you stay on top of real time price drops and discounts.

You can refer to our Shopify app in creating banners and pop up to boost sales for your business: BSS: Sale banner, sales pop up

2. Employ price comparison applications: This strategy is useful for keeping track of offers. These apps allow you to check the prices of a particular product on multiple sites and also inform you when prices drop, so you can buy it at the right time. Designing these platforms also allows for the easier purchase of products, as well as keeping tabs on the desired products and their price changes.

best strategies Cyber Monday vs Black Friday

3. Engage with retailers on social media: This incorporates a perfect method to get in the know. Also, a number of companies promote their best deals and run flash sales via their social media accounts. When you would like to know about special offers in a particular store, it is advisable to look for the pictures and postings of that place in social channels like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Furthermore, it may give you the benefit of finding the posted bargains by other members when you participate in those social media buying groups.

How to Add Social Media to Shopify 2024: Easy Guide

4. Forecast prices beforehand: It is useful to observe the prices of the items you intend to buy prior to some important shopping days or events, for example, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, as it will help you know the fake pockets. This practice helps identify real sales and discounts. Hovering between current prices also helps indicate when reasonable prices should be expected during the sale.

5. Strategies for optimal savings: Success during these sales periods requires you to strategize your purchases effectively. Making a wish list helps focus on the most important purchases and prevents buying things on the spur of the moment. Allocating a certain amount to all types of goods purchased helps you to stick to your set expenditure limits and avoid shopping related losses.

6. Look for promo codes and bundles: It is best to always check for promo codes before making any purchases. More often than not, looking for a simple promo code found over the internet can cut the final price by a great deal. Also, some retailers offer extra savings to customers who purchase a combination of items together so this is worth checking out before making the final decision.

7. Get Ready to Buy Instantly: Black Friday and Cyber Monday are notorious for out of stock popular items. You can opt to save your card details in your shopping account and make the purchase with minimal distractions to avoid losing a good deal.

8. Consider Shopping Both Virtually and Physically: At times, the internet may have offers better than those found in bricks and mortar stores and vice versa. It is wise to check whether retailers permit the ordering of items for collection in shops to avoid disappointments if the same item is not found in the desired branch.

9. Explore dealers’ policies concerning returns of merchandise: Getting a guarantee that the product can be returned or exchanged is a plus when one is shopping. By applying these useful tips and keeping offers under control, customers can save more money and enjoy the benefits of both shopping occasions. These days, thanks to proper planning and analysis, it is possible to buy nearly all goods at very a discount, come Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

In Conclusion – Is Cyber Monday Better Than Black Friday?

To sum up, both Cyber Monday vs Black Friday offer unique advantages and cater to different shopping preferences. Black Friday is ideal for those who enjoy the thrill of in-store shopping and are looking for significant discounts on a wide range of products, including large electronics and appliances. On the other hand, Cyber Monday is perfect for online shoppers who prefer the convenience of browsing deals from home, often finding great discounts on tech gadgets, fashion, and smaller electronics.

Hope that these suggestions are useful for you. Thanks for reading!

FAQs – Cyber Monday vs Black Friday

1. What types of deals can I expect on Cyber Monday vs Black Friday?

Both days typically feature significant discounts on a wide range of products, including electronics, clothing, home goods, and more.
Cyber Monday often focuses on online deals, while Black Friday can include both in-store and online sales.

2. How can I prepare for Cyber Monday vs Black Friday shopping?

  • Create a budget and a shopping list in advance.
  • Research products and prices beforehand.
  • Sign up for email alerts from your favorite retailers.

3. Is it better to shop online or in-store on these days?

Both options have their advantages. Online shopping offers convenience and may have exclusive deals, while in-store shopping allows you to physically inspect products.

4. Can I expect good deals on Cyber Monday and Black Friday outside the United States?

YES. Many countries now participate in Cyber Monday vs Black Friday sales.