Black Friday is a storied sport of early risings and a rush toward the best deals, but for those not inclined to brave the crowds before sunrise, the following Monday offers an appealing alternative.
This year's Cyber Monday, which highlights holiday deals from online retailers, will offer all the door-busting deals of a Black Friday sale from the comfort of your computer — and if trends prove consistent, the spending could smash records.
Here's everything you need to know about the internet's biggest shopping day.
What is Cyber Monday?
The National Retail Federation coined the term “Cyber Monday” in 2005 for the day when online retailers began to offer sizeable deals and low prices on popular items. It falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving, pairing with Black Friday to bookend the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
With a surge in online shopping, Cyber Monday has seen increasing popularity. Last year, Americans spent a record $11.3 billion. This year, 39% of consumers reported they’d shop on Cyber Monday, according to a National Retail Federation survey.
As retailers stretch holiday shopping deals across the week of Thanksgiving — and sometimes the entire months of November and December — Cyber Monday as a single event isn’t as important as it once was. Rather, the holiday season on the whole sees a spending spike, with this year’s projected to reach up to more than $966 billion spent by U.S. consumers.
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Retailers have introduced deals earlier and earlier as consumers have increasingly reported a preference for starting their holiday shopping earlier. This year, 43% of consumers said they planned to start the search before November.
When is Cyber Monday this year?
Cyber Monday officially starts on Nov. 27, but you likely won’t have to wait until the big day to bag these deals. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals largely overlap, and as e-commerce becomes the preferred shopping method for many consumers, retailers have begun to include their online stores in Black Friday promotions.
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It’s more likely you won’t have to wait at all: Major retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon have already posted their best deals online in response to earlier holiday shopping starts.
Where can I find the best Cyber Monday deals?
Apple AirPods, Dyson’s cordless vacuum, and the HexClad 12-piece pots and pans set are among this weekend’s best deals, according to USAToday’s Reviewed newsletter. Smart TVs, home technology, and appliances have also seen significant price cuts and are expected to go fast.