Did you know that 4.131 billion people use the internet as of 2019? Are you wondering about other facts and figures such as the history of Cyber Monday?
As with anything, there has to be a beginning. In this article, explore the history of Cyber Monday, and why it came about. Read on to discover all about this day, and how it can give you plenty of sales on other days besides Black Friday!
What Is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving. Another name for it is known as Blue Monday. It’s now one of the largest shopping days of the year online.
You’ll find it falling 4 days after Thanksgiving since Thanksgiving is on a Thursday. It’s a great way to find online deals and discounts to encourage shopping. Cyber Monday is a great way to enjoy sales without having to wait in long lines in stores.
While it started in the U.S., you can now find it around the world. It’s a great way for companies to increase their sales due to the different deals they offer.
The History of Cyber Monday
Did you know that in 2018 Cyber Monday experienced $7.9 billion spent online? The history of Cyber Monday actually has nothing to do with sales surprisingly.
While you can find plenty of deals online during Cyber Monday online such as at lenovo.com, you might be able to score a good deal at other times of the year as well, such as Black Friday. You might be surprised to hear that the name Cyber Monday comes from one person, Ellen Davis.
Ellen Davis was the senior vice president of research and strategic initiatives for the National Retail Federation. The term goes all the way back to 2005. The company would notice that sales spike the Monday following Thanksgiving.
This is due to the theory that many people are at work on that Monday after Thanksgiving, and buying different items. Due to this spike, they decided to create a press release right before Thanksgiving and used the term Cyber Monday.
By coining the term, many retailers notice an increase in their sales. As time goes on, Cyber Monday becomes more organized, and there are more companies with deals and discounts available.
Is It Bigger Than Black Friday Now?
Due to Cyber Monday becoming a trend over the years, it tends to outperform Black Friday in sales. Many Americans enjoy shopping from the comfort of their own home and enjoy finding plenty of online sales and deals.
Before faster internet connections, Americans had dialup which is slow. During this time, many Americans would head to the stores in person, and try to find the best deals before someone else can grab it.
In time, people realize that they don’t want to wait in long lines and they want convenience. In comes Cyber Monday offering online sales and deals, and not needing to leave your home or office. Many are found to be ordering Cyber Monday deals right from work and don’t have to worry about anyone else seeing what they’re ordering.
Other Holidays
Due to Cyber Monday and Black Friday, other retail holidays appear such as Small Business Saturday. This is a great way to support local businesses in your area. It’s around to encourage consumers to shop locally instead of at large retail stores.
There’s also Giving Tuesday. This is a way to encourage charities and donations during the holidays. Many corporations are partners during this event and offer pledges to match donations.
Popular Products
Some of the most popular products you can find on Cyber Monday include travel, electronics, small appliances/home goods, clothing, tech, smart home gadgets, and many others. For example, some top sellers include Samsung TVs, the Nintendo Switch, and L.O.L. Surprise Dolls.
Amazon
Amazon is still king when it comes to Cyber Monday. You can find that they take in a large percentage of the sales during Cyber Monday. Amazon has created their own events as well such as Prime Day.
What Is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the Friday(the day after) Thanksgiving in the U.S. Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday of November in the states. It’s a day to score deals both online and in stores.
Historically, it’s a day where customers wait in long lines to score different toys, gadgets, or other items for themselves or their families for the holidays. It’s a way to find different items with great discounts or deals.
Over the years, many have questioned the integrity of Black Friday since in the stores many people can become violent when they’re trying to look for that last TV or another item. You can even find articles about the worst injuries and deaths over the years.
For example, between 2006 and 2018, there have been 44 Black Friday incidents leaving 109 injured and 11 dead. One person was shoved into a shelf and experienced a shattered hip. Walmart had an employee who was trampled to death.
The History of Black Friday
The history of the term Black Friday isn’t from during the holidays. It’s about the crash of the U.S. gold market in the 1800s.
In the 50s and 60s, the police in Philadephia used the term to describe the city being in chaos the day after Thanksgiving. Tons of traffic and plenty of shoppers were rampant in the city. Police worked on this day and had to deal with the chaos.
After this, the term began to be used with retailers and consumers. Retailers say that the rest of the year they find themselves in the red which means they’re losing money. The black in the term Black Friday means they’re making a profit.
While much of shopping is done online, you can still find some heading into stores to find good deals. Whether you shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you can still find deals online.
Black Friday vs Cyber Monday
Each day has deals and discounts depending on what you’re looking for. Whether you shop on one day or both, you can find plenty of options.
You might find more deals on Black Friday since the term is more popular and known. Some companies will offer technology products for a bigger discount on Black Friday than Cyber Monday.
It’s a good idea to check out deals on Black Friday first since consumers might be fast at grabbing items while they’re available. Any items that are still available, companies will markdown to sell them.
This means you might find better deals on Cyber Monday with what’s left. Cyber Monday is better for finding deals on non-technology items such as beauty, shoes, and clothing.
Preparing for Cyber Monday and Black Friday
Before the days approach, determine the different items you’re looking to buy. Consider the different stores you can buy from as well.
Write down your wishlist of the items you want. Some retailers will have their different deals published on the evening of Thanksgiving so it’s a good idea to check and see what will be available. You won’t want to miss out on the different deals out there.
Save Money for the Holidays
While you might dream of that 65″ Samsung TV, it might be out of reach. To ensure you have what’s necessary, it’s a good idea to save your money before the holidays.
First, come up with a budget for the holidays and stick to it. While it might be tempting to spend $50 or even $100 or more, say no.
Sign up for a high-yield savings account in order to have a larger bank account. Try to save as much as you can from each paycheck. Even if it’s $5, it’ll add up over time.
Eat at home more often. While it’s tempting to get lunch with coworkers, it’s a good idea to make a large meal in advance that you can bring for lunch, or even make a sandwich.
Cancel subscriptions you don’t need. Do you really need DVR or any other extras? Call them up and cancel any services you don’t need anymore.
Consider Side Gigs
Consider side gigs such as driving for different apps. You can also consider Air B&B if you have an extra room you can rent out. Jobs in IT, customer support, retail, and food services can also help out in addition to your main job.
Exploring the History of Cyber Monday
Now that you’ve explored the history of Cyber Monday, you understand the history behind this holiday, plus Black Friday. Are you looking to read more technology content? For everything from technology to news, check out our other articles today.