Cyber Monday: What is it and how is it different to Black Friday?
We’ve covered everything you need to know about the huge sales event
(The Independent)Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become two of the biggest shopping events in the UK in recent years, but what is the difference between them?
Both days offer people the chance to make huge savings on everything from games consoles to laptops ahead of Christmas, but as Black Friday has come to an end, Cyber Monday is your last chance to grab a bargain from retailers such as Amazon, Argos, Currys PC World, John Lewis & Partners and Apple – all of which have seen discounts of up to 80 per cent off thousands of products.
Follow live: Latest Cyber Monday deals
While many of the savings that were available on Black Friday might still be around on Cyber Monday, there are slight distinctions between the two events.
So when does Cyber Monday begin, how is it different to Black Friday and what deals can you expect? Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is taking place this year on Monday 30 November.
Read more: The ultimate Cyber Monday deals guide
The annual shopping event always falls on the first Monday after Thanksgiving in the US, and so usually takes place at the end of November.
Where did the term come from?
The first Cyber Monday took place in 2005, after a press release by consumer website shop.org was released by Ellen Davis and Scott Silverman with the headline: “Cyber Monday quickly becoming one of the biggest online shopping days of the year”.
The day was conceived following on from research conducted in 2004, which found that the Monday after Thanksgiving was supposedly one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.
With this in mind, David and Silverman decided to create a marketing campaign in which they would encourage consumers to shop online on the Monday after the national holiday, hence the term “Cyber Monday”.
How is Cyber Monday different to Black Friday?
The difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday was traditionally that the former was only for discounts that you could buy in-store, while the latter was dedicated to online shopping.
However, in recent years the distinction between the two has become blurred with more Black Friday deals becoming available online. This year specifically has looked very different to those past, as non-essential shops across England were forced to close amid the second coronavirus lockdown, meaning the entire event has taken place online.
Black Friday originally began as a one day event, but it has quickly expanded to cover the entire weekend, with big-name brands slashing their prices for several days.
This year’s event has been the longest sale on record, as Amazon kicked things off at the end of October and has continued to unveil new deals everyday since.
Typically, Cyber Monday is a strictly 24-hour shopping window but, much like Black Friday, some retailers’ discounts can flow into the next few days leading it to be dubbed “Cyber Week”.
What deals can you expect on Cyber Monday?
Online shoppers have already seen great deals on products such as Apple AirPods, the Xbox One S, Kitchenaid food processors, Fenty Beauty bundles, LG TVs and Lego sets, and you can expect to see similarly impressive savings on Cyber Monday.
The event is your last chance to save some money ahead of Christmas, and is also a great opportunity to invest in bigger items such as TVs and furniture.
Don’t forget to check back here and read our Black Friday guides, where our team will be handpicking the best bargains, to help you navigate the sales with ease.
Our IndyBest team hand-picks every deal we feature. We may earn some commission from the links in this article, but our selections have been made independently and without bias. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Read more on Cyber Monday 2020
Best Amazon Cyber Monday deals – There will be millions of deals, so check in here for our pick of the best
Best Currys PC World Cyber Monday deals – For everything from TVs to laptops, and kettles to coffee machines
Best John Lewis & Partners Cyber Monday deals – With great deals on fashion, beauty, tech, kids and homewares it will be a go-to for many
Best Argos Cyber Monday deals – Covering everything from kids to homewares and fitness to DIY
Best Apple Cyber Monday deals – The tech giant is notorious for not participating in Cyber Monday, so how can you find deals on Apple products? Find out in our guide
Best Cyber Monday tech deals – Whether it’s a new phone contract or noise-cancelling headphones, you’ll find the best deal here
Best Cyber Monday TV deals – Update your at-home cinema experience without paying full price with our featured deals
Best Cyber Monday laptop deals – There’s hundreds of pounds to be saved on laptops from big-name brands such as Apple, Microsoft and HP
Best Cyber Monday gaming deals – Struggling to choose which console to buy, or after a new controller or game? Here's our expert guide
Best Cyber Monday home appliances deals – Now’s the time to upgrade your vacuum cleaner or coffee machine
Best Cyber Monday fashion deals – Whether its a pair of boots or a coat, treat yourself to new season essentials
Best Cyber Monday beauty deals – Stock up on your favourites across make-up, skincare, haircare and fragrance
Best Cyber Monday kids’ toys deals – Get your Christmas shopping done and dusted, with deals from Disney, Lego, Playmobil and more
Best Cyber Monday mattress deals – Rest easy with big discounts for brands such as Emma, Eve Sleep and Simba
Best Cyber Monday furniture deals – There's no need to wait until the January sale to get a bargain sofa, wardrobe or armchair
Best Cyber Monday deals - Read our IndyBest guide to all the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals
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