What Is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is an online shopping event in the United States that takes place on the Monday following Thanksgiving. It was first introduced in 2005 as a way for retailers to encourage people to take advantage of various offers. The day has become a beacon for online shipping and high-value deals.

Even though it’s a relatively recent phenomenon in the grand scheme of things, it has quickly gained legendary status among bargain-hunters looking for great e-commerce discounts.

Key Takeaways

• Cyber Monday is an online shopping event, first introduced in 2005, that takes place on the Monday following Thanksgiving in the United States. It has quickly gained status among bargain-hunters looking for great e-commerce discounts.
• Many stores, including Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Dell, Target, and Walmart, offer significant deals on this day.
• It has become fairly become to see the event extended over multiple days. This is known as Cyber Week. 
• The event allows retailers to reach a global audience, operate 24/7, reduce operating costs, provide shopping comfort, manage a larger inventory, and increase brand visibility.
• To best navigate Cyber Monday deals, shoppers are advised to make a list, set a budget, compare prices, research ahead of time, sign up for newsletters and alerts, check return policies, and use apps and extensions.
• Categories with prominent price drops include electronics, fashion and accessories, home and kitchen appliances, software and online services, and toys and Games.
• Cyber Monday differs from Black Friday because it focuses on online deals, while Black Friday traditionally features in-store promotions.

The Best Cyber Monday Deals

The Importance of Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday follows the momentum of the previous shopping event, Black Friday. However, it focuses on online commerce. The term was coined to motivate customers to use the Internet as a shopping platform. Why? Because retailers offer significant deals and discounts exclusive to their online stores, and e-commerce brings benefits to both consumers and retailers:

• Extended reach: physical stores are limited by geographic location. Online events like Cyber Monday allow retailers to reach their audience regardless of location (although most stores target specific areas).
• No operating hours: physical stores have specific trading hours, while online retail stores are open 24/7. This gives customers the flexibility to shop anytime, potentially increasing sales.
• Lower operating costs: physical stores incur overhead costs like rent, utilities, and staffing. Online operations can be more cost-effective. Savings can translate into lower prices, attracting more customers.
• Shopping comfort: shopping from your home is highly convenient, a factor that has become increasingly important in the digital age.
• Inventory management: online retail stores can handle a larger inventory and aren’t limited by physical shelf space. Retailers can offer a broader product selection, catering to a wider range of customer needs.
• Contribution to annual revenue: Cyber Monday has consistently recorded significant sales figures. It contributes significantly to e-commerce retailers’ annual revenue.
• Brand visibility: the event provides retailers a platform to increase their brand visibility and showcase their products.

What Is Cyber Monday?

This shopping day has evolved into a global phenomenon, dating back to the early 2000s when online shopping emerged as a new consumer trend. Retailers noticed a spike in online sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving and, in response, initiated targeted marketing strategies to harness this increasing digital demand. 

Over time, Cyber Monday has become an important day for shoppers seeking bargains and retailers aiming to boost sales before the year’s end.

What Day Is Cyber Monday?

The exact date changes yearly, but the shopping holiday is between November 26th and December 2nd. The event takes place right after Thanksgiving, as retailers have observed significant spikes in shopping sprees over the course of many years.

History of Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is a significant event in the e-commerce calendar, named for its online focus and positioned as the digital answer to Black Friday’s retail rush.

Why Is It Called Cyber Monday?

Ellen Davis and Scott Silverman first coined the term, which referred to the e-commerce boom on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The name is tied to the observation that consumers continued shopping online upon returning to work after the weekend. 

Since it was likely that they were taking advantage of high-speed internet connections for their online shopping, that Monday became “cyber” to signify the importance of the Internet in the process. 

Who Created Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday was born to promote and encourage online shopping during the holiday season.

Evolution over the Years

Cyber Monday has grown substantially, transforming into a global shopping phenomenon.

• Year established: it was created in 2005 as a marketing term to encourage online shopping.
• Growth milestones:
  • 2010 was the first time Cyber Monday sales exceeded $1 billion.
  • The introduction of mobile devices significantly boosted its popularity, as customers could shop from anywhere.
  • 2020 set a record as the largest digital shopping day in the United States, with $10.7 billion in revenue, likely fueled by many shoppers staying at home and purchasing via e-commerce.

How Retailers Prepare for Cyber Monday

Many stores take several steps to prepare for the sale event. For example:

• Planning promotions in advance: shops outline their deals and discounts, considering what exclusive discounts or product bundles they can offer to attract customers. Promotional material is used via email campaigns, social media, paid advertisements, and more.
• Website optimization: Cyber Monday usually creates a big surge in website traffic. Retailers ensure their platform can handle the increased load by optimizing performance and scalability. Avoiding crashes and slowdowns is essential, as they quickly drive customers away.
• Great mobile experience: with the growing number of shoppers using mobile devices, websites must load quickly and be user-friendly on smartphones and tablets.
• Simple checkout process: an easy checkout minimizes cart abandonment. Successful retailers offer options such as guest checkout, one-click checkout, and multiple payment methods to streamline the experience.
• Inventory optimization: analyzing previous sales data is the first step to identifying popular products and stocking up on inventory accordingly. This helps ensure demand can be met on Cyber Monday. Offering pre-orders for products that might run out of stock is also recommended.
• Clear product listings: products are updated with accurate descriptions, high-quality images, and relevant keywords. Clear information helps customers make informed buying decisions and improves search engine visibility.
• Exceptional customer service: customer support must handle inquiries promptly via multiple channels, such as live chat, phone, chatbots, and email. This helps customers address their concerns in a way that is best suited to their needs.

Cyber Monday Shopping Tips

Here are a few pieces of advice to navigate the flurry of deals and discounts:

• Make a list: prepare a list of items you want to buy beforehand to focus your efforts and avoid unnecessary purchases.
• Set a budget: decide on your budget before the sales start to keep your spending in check.
• Compare prices: use price comparison tools to get the best deal. Remember to consider shipping costs as well.
• Research ahead of time: check out the prices and specifications of desired items before the sale. This will help you spot the real deals versus the inflated ones.
• Check out “Early Bird” and “Flash Sales”: some retailers offer additional discounts for early shoppers or flash sales throughout the day.
• Sign up for newsletters and alerts: most retailers send exclusive deals to their subscribers. Sign up for newsletters from your favorite brands to get these alerts.
• Check return policies: before purchasing, check the return policy for each item. This is especially important for high-value items.
• Use apps and extensions: mobile apps from retailers can help you track price drops. Browser extensions like DontPayFull can help you apply any available coupon codes for an even lower price.

What Deals Are on Cyber Monday?

Various categories have great promotions during the event. Some of the most common types include:

• Electronics: this includes TVs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, gaming consoles, headphones, and more. Large retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and others often feature significant price cuts on these items.
• Fashion and accessories: many online clothing retailers like ASOS, Gap, and Zara, alongside luxury brands, usually provide sitewide discounts or specific item markdowns.
• Home and kitchen appliances: large appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens, as well as smaller appliances like coffee makers, blenders, and vacuums, get price drops.
• Software and online services: Cyber Monday is great for discounts on software, online courses, and subscription services. This can include anything from antivirus software to streaming services and educational platforms.
• Toys and games: with the holiday season approaching, toys and games for children of all ages are often discounted significantly. It’s a good time to snag deals on popular brands like Lego, Barbie, and more.

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday

Should you shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? This depends on several factors, as each day has unique benefits. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

Black Friday Pros

• In-store deals: traditionally, Black Friday offers significant in-store discounts and “doorbuster” deals. If you enjoy rummaging through shelves and the thrilling atmosphere of a bustling store, Black Friday is your day.
• Broader range of products: while electronics and tech devices often feature heavily in Black Friday sales, you can also find significant discounts on clothing, furniture, beauty products, and more.
• Early access to deals: because Black Friday falls before Cyber Monday, some highly sought-after items may be sold out by Cyber Monday. In such cases, shopping on Black Friday could be more beneficial.

Cyber Monday Pros

• Online convenience: if you prefer to avoid crowded stores and long checkout lines, Cyber Monday is ideal. You can shop from the comfort of your own home, and many retailers offer free shipping.
• Tech and electronics deals: while you’ll find tech deals on both days, Cyber Monday traditionally leans more heavily towards discounts on electronics and high-end tech products.
• Extended sales period: many retailers extend their Cyber Monday deals into a “Cyber Week”, which gives you more time to shop and potentially snag any deals you may have missed over the weekend.

Find out what are the most popular Social Media Platforms for finding coupons in our 2024 survey about coupon statistics in the United States.

The Biggest Cyber Monday Discounts in U.S. History

Cyber Monday has become synonymous with massive online sales, and over the years, retailers have offered huge discounts across electronics, toys, apparel, and more. Here’s a look at some of the largest Cyber Monday deals in history.

Electronics

Electronics tend to have some of the most notable Cyber Monday deals. In 2022, average discounts on electronics were 23.8%. Items like smartwatches, gaming consoles, and TVs saw significant price drops, with deals such as the PlayStation 5 becoming highly sought-after during Cyber Monday.

Toys

Toys have consistently had some of the deepest discounts on Cyber Monday. In 2022, toys were marked down by 33.8%, making them one of the best categories for shoppers. Brands like LEGO and Hot Wheels have been heavily discounted, driving strong demand among parents and collectors alike​

Apparel

Clothing is another category that sees substantial discounts on Cyber Monday. In 2022, apparel was discounted by an average of 16.5%, with even greater deals found on premium brands and seasonal collections​

Home Appliances

Major appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators have been marked down as much as 14.5% on Cyber Monday, making it a popular day for home upgrades​

Computers

Cyber Monday is known for great laptop deals, with brands like HP and Dell slashing prices. In 2020, discounts on computers averaged around 14.4%, with even steeper price cuts on some specific model

Cyber Monday FAQs

What Is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is an online shopping event that takes place on the first Monday following Thanksgiving. The term was coined by the National Retail Federation’s digital division, Shop.org, in a press release in 2005.

The idea behind Cyber Monday is to encourage consumers to shop online. So, online retailers offer numerous deals and massive discounts on a wide range of products.

When Is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday falls on the first Monday after Thanksgiving. The exact date varies from year to year, depending on when Thanksgiving is, but it’s always between November 26th and December 2nd. In 2024, it will be on December 2nd.

What to Buy on Cyber Monday?

What to buy largely depends on your individual needs or interests. However, here are a few categories where you’ll typically find price cuts:

• Electronics: from laptops, tablets, and smartphones to gaming consoles and TVs.
• Software and online subscriptions: many companies offer discounts on software or services, including VPNs, cloud storage, SaaS subscriptions, and more.
• Clothing and fashion: online clothing retailers often have sitewide discounts or specific item markdowns.
• Home and kitchen appliances: everything from smaller kitchen gadgets to larger appliances can be found at a better price.
• Toys and games: with the holiday gift-giving season around the corner, toys and games are often significantly discounted.
• Travel deals: many airline, hotel, and travel booking sites offer price reductions or exclusive packages.
• Beauty and personal care: high-end beauty products, perfumes, personal care appliances, and cosmetic bundles often see price drops.

What Are the Best Cyber Monday Deals?

Check out brands such as:

• Amazon
• Apple
• Best Buy
• Dell
• Target
• Walmart
• Microsoft
• HP
• Newegg
• eBay
• Macy’s
• Home Depot
• Kohl’s
• B&H Photo
• Samsung
• Sony
• Lenovo
• Bose
• Google Store
• NVIDIA
• Canon
• Logitech
• Panasonic

How Long Is Cyber Monday Amazon?

However, the company has been known to turn the shopping holiday into a week-long promotion known as “Cyber Week.”During this time, shoppers enjoy promotions for products like electronics, kitchen appliances, Amazon devices and services (Echo Studio, Amazon Fire TV, etc), and more.

Why Is It Called Cyber Monday?

“Cyber Monday” was coined by Ellen Davis and Scott Silverman. They noticed a recurring trend of an increase in online shopping on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The goal was to encourage and promote shopping online as the norm during a period already associated with holiday shopping.

Who Created Cyber Monday?

The term “Cyber Monday” was coined in a 2005 press release by Shop.org, part of the National Retail Federation. The release noted a trend: a significant spike in online shopping on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The term “cyber” was employed to highlight the online nature of this shopping phenomenon.

How Is Cyber Monday Different from Black Friday?

Black Friday traditionally features in-store promotions. Cyber Monday is known for offering significant deals online. It allows shoppers to take advantage of discounts from the comfort of their homes.

Are Cyber Monday Discounts Worth It?

The price drops can be significant, with retailers offering great product deals. However, comparing prices and being cautious of inflated discounts is always advisable.

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