Black Friday is the day after the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. Black Friday has come to mean significant discounts and massive shopping, leaving stores full of people looking for deals. The 24-hour shopping marathon on the day after Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the retailers' most significant sales of the year, allowing them to clear out inventory before they start producing holiday merchandise.
Origins: The term "Black Friday" comes from Philadelphia, where police used it in 1964 to describe a traffic jam resulting from shoppers descending on Macy's store downtown, which was offering early-bird specials. But today, most people are unaware of this since this definition took place during what would become known as Black Tuesday instead of Black Friday itself.
Define Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday is a term for online shopping that takes place the Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S. Cyber Monday. Most major retailers offer special deals to kick off the holiday season. According to some studies, Cyber Monday is not only followed by many people but also considered the second biggest shopping day of the year.
Origins: The premise is that shoppers have time off work and being at home with improved internet access, making online shopping easier. Before this, most people shopped through their phones or tablets during their commute or lunch break, but since they were using 3g/4g, they could not make larger purchases. Cyber Monday has also become an international sales day for retailers in countries like Australia, Canada, and the U.K.
What items are available for buying on Black Friday?
By now, the stores have started to adjust their products and services for this period, so everyday items that will be available go from:
1) Electronic appliances (TV., computers, laptops, etc.)
2) Clothing and shoes (especially sports brands and other specialty shops)
3) Jewelry and accessories
4) Home appliances (fridges, washers, etc.)
5) Groceries and foodstuffs, books, holiday decorations, toys, sporting equipment, holiday décor, etc.
As you can see, Black Friday shopping doesn't necessarily mean big-ticket items or electronics anymore. If anything, it has become more than just a day of bargains; it's turned into a tradition where families gather together to enjoy themselves before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner.
To boost sales even further, many retailers have started offering special deals online and in the stores on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and even a few days before or after those events. The agreements aim to capture their portion of that $50 billion spent during that long weekend. It looks like we're entering into a new era where shopping is all about convenience and discounts no matter what time you buy something.
What items can be bought on Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday has become an essential part of the Black Friday experience; it's no longer just a day of deals but one of the most profitable days for many companies. It's not unusual to see deals offering up to 90% off on certain items during Cyber Monday, whether you're buying online or in-store. It could be worth looking around, even if you missed out on the most significant discounts during Black Friday weekend.
Cyber Monday has grown so popular that many stores have decided to offer special deals for it as well during the previous week to "get the party going" and grab people's attention. This means you could find items up to 90% off on Cyber Monday.
Some of the most common items available on Cyber Monday include:
Electronic appliances (T.V.s, phones), clothing and shoes (especially sports brands), jewelry and accessories, home appliances (fridges, washers, etc.), groceries and foodstuffs, books, holiday decor, toys, sporting equipment, and online subscriptions.
Like with Black Friday, there are many different types of products you can buy on Cyber Monday, but there seems to be more emphasis on electronics and items purchased online.
What items can be found during Cyber Monday and not Black Friday?
One of the most important things to remember is that not all stores will offer the same deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday; some items will be found on one of those days but not the other. This seems to depend entirely on what's more convenient for each retailer, so it can vary from store to store, so if you're looking for something specific, it's better to check before making any assumptions.
As for what types of items are more likely to be available during Cyber Monday than Black Friday, here are a few examples:
For clothing, especially sports brands like Nike or Adidas (it seems that these brands prefer running their sales online instead)
For jewelry, accessories, and chic home decor pieces for electronics like T.V.s, laptops, and gaming consoles.
For books for online subscriptions, especially entertainment ones like Netflix or Spotify (it looks like they prefer running their sales on Cyber Monday) for lower-price items like groceries and holiday decorations.
What do I need to know before shopping on Black Friday?
If you're thinking about buying something on Black Friday but haven't entirely made up your mind yet, there are a few things you should consider:
1) The most important thing is that stores will only offer the best discounts on the most popular items. This means that if you're looking at something that's not as desirable, then there might not be any sale whatsoever.
2) Make sure to check whether an item is already discounted or has a gift card included with it. Most stores will offer some deal, but it's not always as straightforward as prices going down: they might be offering an additional discount on top of the already reduced cost, and the difference will be paid by a gift card instead. This can make buying certain items much more expensive than you think, so it's crucial to consider everything before deciding whether this is what you want or need.
3) Some stores will have limited amounts available for specific discounts, especially if only a few items are left in stock. It's usually recommended that you buy something right away once you find something up to 90% off if there aren't many items around because they might end up selling out quickly.
4) Make sure to check the return and exchange policy of the store before purchasing anything. Most stores will allow you to return or exchange an item within a specific timeframe. Still, it's always better to know this information beforehand, so there are no hitches later on.
5) Finally, don't fall into the trap of buying something just because it's discounted. This especially applies to items that you're not 100% sure about. If you don't need the thing, then it's not worth buying because you'll end up wasting money that could be put towards something more useful instead.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.