Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means Black Friday and Cyber Monday are almost here, too. These big shopping days mark the start of the holiday season with amazing deals. But which day has the best sales?
### Black Friday: A Traditional Favorite
Growing up, Black Friday always seemed like the day for the best sales of the year.
#### Origins
Black Friday started as a way for physical stores to boost their sales and move from losing money (being “in the red”) to making a profit (being “in the black”). Stores offered huge discounts to bring in customers, who often bought more than they planned once inside. It was perfectly timed after Thanksgiving, starting off a long weekend when people had plenty of free time to shop.
#### The Shift to Online
However, with the rise of online shopping, Black Friday has changed. It isn’t just about in-store deals anymore; there are also great online discounts. This means shoppers now have two chances to score deals. But is it better than Cyber Monday? Let’s find out.
### Cyber Monday: The New Contender
Cyber Monday came about with the growth of the internet. Seeing the success of Black Friday, online retailers created their own special sales day. Cyber Monday became their big chance to offer top deals.
### Which Day Has Better Sales?
Nowadays, Black Friday and Cyber Monday compete to offer the best deals, but this can make shopping a bit tricky. One challenge is that Cyber Monday deals often aren’t announced in advance. This makes it hard to decide whether to buy on Black Friday or wait for Cyber Monday.
Additionally, stores offer both in-store and online Black Friday deals, but these aren’t always the same. Cyber Monday’s deals are only online, adding to the complexity of choosing when to shop.
### Sales Figures
Looking at sales numbers can help. Recently, Cyber Monday has been taking the lead over Black Friday.
– In 2017, Black Friday sales were $5.03 billion.
– Cyber Monday sales in 2017 hit $6.59 billion.
This shift is partly due to the popularity of mobile shopping, which makes it easy to shop without visiting a store. Spending digitally doesn’t feel the same as spending cash, so people often spend more online until they see their credit card bill.
### The Bottom Line
The best day to shop depends on your needs and habits. Some people love the thrill of in-store Black Friday shopping, which has gotten less crowded over the years, creating an opportunity for great deals without the hassle.
Others prefer the convenience of shopping online. While Black Friday might have better deals on certain items, Cyber Monday often has its own unbeatable offers. It’s all about what suits you best.
So, which sales day works better for you? Are you willing to line up for Black Friday deals, or do you prefer the ease of Cyber Monday shopping?