Cyber Monday vs Black Friday

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK



The ever-popular Black Friday falls on 27 November this year, and every avid shopper is going to be watching out for the massive specials, preparing themselves to take advantage of the biggest discounts of the year.

However, there is another day that has popped up in the midst of all the shopping madness: Cyber Monday.

So, what is Cyber Monday and why should we be paying any attention to it?

Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Black Friday (in other words, the first Monday after Thanksgiving in the United States) and it is the best time to take advantage of online specials. This was a day that was created by retailers to encourage people to shop online.

The National Retail Federation started using this marketing term on 28 November 2005 in a press release from shop.org that explained that Cyber Monday was quickly becoming one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.

What better way is there to avoid getting out of your house and standing in long queues to get the cheapest products?



Slightly better deals online

But which one is the better option, Cyber Monday or Black Friday?

According to Business Insider, Black Friday is a better time to buy big-ticket items, while Cyber Monday is better to shop for tech deals and smaller gifts. You should also see slightly better deals online.

In 2019, according to Adobe Analytics, Cyber Monday mobile transactions totalled N$47.7 billion, with total online sales reaching a record N$144.8 billion.

This year, Cyber Monday falls on 30 November and if you are thinking of taking advantage of this shopping day, you can always start by following your favourite retailers on social media to take keep an eye out for their sales.

You can also make use of a price comparison app to see which retailers offer the best prices on the big day.

The most important aspect of Black Friday or Cyber Monday is to always try to stick to your budget and to be aware of credit card fraudsters and identity thieves.