As Thanksgiving nears, Black Friday and Cyber Monday come right after. Though not traditional holidays, these are major shopping events that mark the start of the festive season with incredible deals. But which offers better discounts?
BLACK FRIDAY: THE OLD DAYS
Growing up, Black Friday was always exciting because it seemed like the day to get the best deals.
ORIGINS OF BLACK FRIDAY
Black Friday originally aimed to boost sales in physical stores, moving them from financial losses (“red”) to profits (“black”). Businesses worked hard to lure shoppers with the biggest discounts of the year, knowing that once people were in the store, they’d buy more. Timed right after Thanksgiving and at the start of a long weekend, Black Friday capitalized on everyone’s free time to shop.
SHIFTING TRENDS
The rise of online shopping changed everything. Now, Black Friday sales happen both in stores and online, giving consumers more options. But is it better than Cyber Monday?
CYBER MONDAY’S BEGINNING
With the internet becoming more popular, Cyber Monday was created. After the big success of Black Friday but confined mostly to physical stores, online retailers wanted a slice of the holiday shopping action. So, Cyber Monday was born, offering its own special deals.
WHICH DAY HAS BETTER DEALS?
Nowadays, Black Friday and Cyber Monday compete fiercely. But this competition can make it hard for consumers to figure out where the best deals are.
A COMMON CHALLENGE
One challenge is that Cyber Monday deals aren’t usually revealed in advance. So, it can be a gamble deciding whether to buy on Black Friday or wait for Cyber Monday.
Physical stores now offer both in-store and online Black Friday deals, which differ. And since Cyber Monday deals are only online, it creates an intriguing shopping scenario!
BY THE NUMBERS
Looking at sales figures can offer some clarity. Lately, Cyber Monday has been overshadowing Black Friday.
2017’s Black Friday Sales: $5.03 billion
2017’s Cyber Monday Sales: $6.59 billion
Despite Black Friday offering both in-store and online deals, Cyber Monday still comes out on top. One reason for this is the growing trend of mobile shopping. The convenience of buying with just a tap or swipe from anywhere means Cyber Monday has grown in popularity. Digital spending also doesn’t feel as immediate as handing over cash, leading to higher spending until those credit card bills come in!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Deciding which sales event is better depends on personal needs and shopping habits. Some people enjoy the thrill of queuing for a Black Friday deal, and with fewer people willing to do so now, it might offer an edge. Others love the convenience of shopping online. While deals might sometimes be better on Black Friday for certain items, Cyber Monday can offer superior online deals. It ultimately comes down to what suits your comfort and shopping preferences.
Which has worked better for you – Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Are you willing to stand in line at a store for those amazing Black Friday bargains?