Most shoppers approach Black Friday vs Cyber Monday without understanding the fundamental differences between these two major shopping events. While both promise significant savings, each day caters to different product categories and shopping behaviors.
Black Friday traditionally focuses on big-ticket items and hybrid in-store/online promotions. Conversely, Cyber Monday specializes in tech deals, subscriptions, and online-only bundles.
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Ready to turn Black Friday vs Cyber Monday week 2025 confusion into your competitive advantage? Let’s get started.
Evolution and History of Black Friday vs Cyber Monday
Black Friday started as an in-store shopping event. For years, it meant waiting in long lines for doorbuster sales on TVs, appliances, and home goods. Over time, it shifted. Retailers moved many promotions online, turning it into a mix of both in-store and online deals. Today, Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales often overlap, but the focus is still different.
Cyber Monday came later. It was designed as the online counterpart to Black Friday, pushing e-commerce growth. The day became known for electronics, software, and SaaS deals.
Now, Black Friday vs Cyber Monday discounts run side by side, with some brands stretching them into a full week or even the whole month.
In 2025, both events are more blended than ever. Many shoppers start hunting Black Friday 2025 deals in early November.
And by Cyber Monday, retailers push deeper online-only discounts. This overlap makes it harder to choose one over the other, but knowing the history helps explain why each still has its own strengths.
What are the Key Differences Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Even though both events now stretch across November, Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales are not the same. The differences show up in product categories, shopping methods, and overall cost.
- Shopping format
- Black Friday: Started in stores, now hybrid. You’ll still see in-store exclusives like doorbusters, but most retailers also run matching online deals.
- Cyber Monday: Almost fully online. Discounts are tied to websites, apps, and email campaigns.
- Product categories
- Black Friday 2025 deals usually focus on large appliances, furniture, and apparel. It’s the day for washing machines, couches, and winter clothing.
- Cyber Monday discounts lean heavily on electronics and software. Think laptops, gaming consoles, subscriptions, and digital bundles.
- Shipping and returns
- Black Friday often gives you the option to buy online and pick up in-store, which cuts shipping fees.
- Cyber Monday deals might look cheaper up front, but shipping costs or longer delivery times can reduce the savings.
- Discount patterns
- In 2024, Adobe Digital Insights reported that appliance discounts averaged around 18% on Black Friday, while electronics hit closer to 25% on Cyber Monday. Expect similar numbers in Black Friday vs Cyber Monday discounts for 2025.
Quick Comparison: Black Friday vs Cyber Monday 2025
| Factor | Black Friday | Cyber Monday |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid (in-store + online) | Online-only |
| Best For | Appliances, home goods, fashion | Tech, gadgets, digital deals |
| Shipping | Store pickup available | Shipping fees may apply |
| Avg. Discounts* | 15–20% appliances, 20% apparel | 20–25% Cyber Monday sales electronics, 25% software |
*Based on Adobe Digital Insights 2024 data
What to Expect in WordPress Black Friday vs Cyber Monday Week 2025
The gap between Black Friday vs Cyber Monday discounts is most obvious when you look at deal categories. Both events offer price drops, but what’s discounted and how deep those cuts go isn’t the same.
- Black Friday 2025 deals
- Big-ticket products dominate. TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, and furniture are common.
- Apparel and footwear also see strong markdowns, often around 20%.
- Many retailers push “doorbuster” bundles — limited stock items at steep discounts to bring shoppers in.
- Cyber Monday Week 2025 deals
- Electronics and software take the lead. Laptops, tablets, smart home devices, and gaming consoles are often 20–30% off.
- Digital services and subscriptions (VPNs, cloud storage, streaming bundles) see some of their best annual discounts. You can often find updated surfshark coupon codes on trusted deal trackers like Cybernews, helping you unlock some of the deepest VPN discounts of the year..
- Flash sales and plugin-exclusive coupons are common tactics to drive urgency.
- Discount depth in numbers
- According to Adobe’s 2024 data, Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales showed clear splits:
- Appliances: ~18% average discount on Black Friday
- Apparel: ~20% on Black Friday
- Cyber Monday sales electronics: ~25%
- Cyber Monday software: ~27% on Cyber Monday
- Analysts expect Black Friday 2025 discounts to follow a similar pattern, with some categories dipping even further as competition heats up.
- According to Adobe’s 2024 data, Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales showed clear splits:
Key takeaway: If you want home goods or appliances, Black Friday is usually stronger. If you’re after gadgets or software, Cyber Monday stands out with better online discounts.
Shopping Experience and Convenience
When comparing Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales, the shopping experience is very different. In 2025, both events have moved online, but how you shop still matters.
- Black Friday 2025 deals in-store
- Some retailers still use doorbusters to drive foot traffic.
- In-store shopping means you can see and test products before buying.
- Picking up items on the same day also avoids shipping fees.
- The downside is crowds, limited stock, and long waits.
- Cyber Monday Week 2025 deals online
- Everything happens from your phone or laptop.
- Retailers push app-exclusive coupons, flash sales, and email codes.
- Shopping is more convenient, but delivery times and return policies can cut into the savings.software licenses
- Some WooCommerce Black Friday deals sell out in minutes, making it harder to secure popular items.
- Overall convenience
- Black Friday offers immediacy 🡪 buy, pick up, and bring it home.
- Cyber Monday favors comfort 🡪 shop without leaving your couch, but pay attention to shipping and return costs.
In short, Black Friday vs Cyber Monday discounts don’t just differ in numbers. The way you get those savings depends on how much time, effort, and patience you want to invest.
What Data Says for Cyber Monday vs Black Friday 2025
Here’s what verified sources show about pricing, discounts, shipping, and what “real cost” looks like when you compare Black Friday vs Cyber Monday.
All numbers are from 2024 but help predict Black Friday 2025 trends.
Key Facts & Figures
- Holiday Season Size & Growth
- In 2024, U.S. online holiday season sales (Nov 1 ‒ Dec 31) hit about $241.4 billion, up ~8.7% from 2023. news.adobe.com
- Cyber Week (Thursday through Cyber Monday) made $41.1 billion online, up ~8.2% year-over-year.
- Discount Levels by Category on Cyber Monday
Adobe reported category discounts at peak times in Cyber Monday 2024:- Electronics: ~30.1% off listed price
- Toys: ~26.1% off
- Apparel: ~23.2% off
- TVs: ~21.8% off
- Computers: ~21.5% off
- Expected Discount Peaks in 2024
Adobe forecasted that in 2024, discounts as high as ~30% off listed price would appear in categories such as electronics, appliances, and sporting goods.- Electronics forecast peak ~30% off
- Toys ~27% off, TVs ~24%, apparel ~23%, furniture ~19%, appliances ~18%
- Black Friday Online vs Cyber Monday Online Spending
- Black Friday 2024 online spend: ~$10.8 billion in the U.S.
- Cyber Monday 2024 online spend: ~$13.3 billion in the U.S., up ~7.3% YoY.
- Mobile Shopping & Hidden Costs
- On Cyber Monday 2024, 57% of online sales were via mobile devices.
What This Implies for BFCM Total Cost in 2025
- Seeing ~30% off listed prices in electronics and similar goods suggests that Cyber Monday may offer deeper discounts there. But that doesn’t mean it’s always cheaper overall. Shipping, returns, and limited stock matter.
- Black Friday still leads in hybrid deals (in-store pickup, local store availability) which can cut down additional costs.
- Because mobile shopping is rising fast, sites/apps that are optimized for mobile and that are transparent about shipping/returns will win trust. Hidden fees can eat up much of the “discount.”
- Expect early discounts leading up to Black Friday, and some retailers stretching deals into Cyber Monday Week 2025. This makes “timing” a key cost factor.
| Category | Avg. Discount Black Friday* | Avg. Discount Cyber Monday* | Example Price Before | After Discount | Shipping / Pickup | Final Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appliances | ~18% | ~15% | $1,000 fridge | $820 (BF) | Free pickup (BF) | $820 | Black Friday better for big-ticket in-store pickup |
| Apparel | ~20% | ~23% | $100 winter jacket | $80 (BF) | +$10 shipping (CM) | $90 (CM) | Cyber Monday has deeper discounts, but shipping narrows gap |
| Electronics | ~20% | ~30% | $1,000 laptop | $800 (BF) | $700 (CM) + $20 shipping | $720 | Cyber Monday stronger for gadgets if free shipping isn’t offered |
| Toys | ~18% | ~26% | $50 board game | $41 (BF) | $37 (CM) + $5 shipping | $42 | Nearly tied when shipping added |
| Furniture | ~19% | ~15% | $500 sofa | $405 (BF) | Free pickup (BF) | $405 | Black Friday better for bulky items |
Takeaway
- Black Friday 2025 deals win on appliances and furniture because in-store pickup avoids shipping costs.
- Cyber Monday 2025 deals usually give deeper discounts on electronics, software, and toys but factor-in delivery fees and wait times.
- Real savings depend not just on sticker price but on shipping, returns, and product availability.
Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: Smart Shopping Strategies for 2025
Getting the most from Black Friday vs Cyber Monday discounts isn’t just about spotting the lowest sticker price. It’s about planning, stacking savings, and following the best BFCM marketing strategies.
Here are Cyber Monday software strategies grounded in real numbers and shopper behavior.
1. Start Early
- In 2024, many retailers dropped prices weeks before the big days. Expect the same in 2025.
- Track Black Friday 2025 deals as early as mid-November. Some of the best appliance discounts appear before Thanksgiving.
2. Use Price Tracking Tools
- Tools like CamelCamelCamel (Amazon), Honey, and Keepa help verify if a deal is real.
- Many “doorbusters” aren’t unique — they’ve been the same or lower earlier in the year. Adobe’s 2024 data showed nearly 40% of “Black Friday-only” deals had appeared in October.
3. Stack Loyalty Points and Rewards
- If you’re running an online store, double or triple loyalty points on either day to push sales.
- For shoppers, loyalty points offset hidden costs. Example: 500 reward points = $5 credit, which cancels a Cyber Monday shipping fee.
- Retailers using reward systems like myCred can encourage repeat purchases after BFCM instead of one-time sales.
4. Watch Total Cost, Not Just Discounts
- As shown in the table above, Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales can flip depending on shipping.
- Always compare: Discount + Shipping + Return Fees = Real Price.
5. Avoid Impulse Buys
- Both events create urgency with timers, “limited stock” warnings, and flash deals.
- Have a list of what you actually need. Stick to it. In 2024, nearly 30% of shoppers reported regretting impulse Cyber Monday purchases (NRF survey).
Key tip: The real winners are those who blend the two events. Use Black Friday 2025 deals for bulky items you can pick up in-store. Save your online budget for Cyber Monday sales electronic, where digital bundles and software licenses often hit their lowest prices of the year.
Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Data and Consumer Trends for 2025
Understanding how people shop tells you where the real opportunities are in Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales. Here’s what the latest numbers say:
- Record Spending Expected – Adobe Analytics predicts U.S. online holiday sales could cross $221 billion in 2025, up from $221.1 billion in 2024. Black Friday and Cyber Monday together make up nearly 20% of that spending.
- Black Friday Still Dominates In-Store – NRF surveys show around 72% of shoppers still prefer to visit physical stores on Black Friday for instant pickup and big-ticket deals.
- Cyber Monday Wins Online – In 2024, Cyber Monday set the biggest U.S. online shopping day ever, with $12.4 billion in sales. Electronics and digital goods drove most of that growth.
- Discount Patterns Differ – Adobe’s 2024 tracking showed:
- Black Friday had the steepest TV and appliance discounts (up to 25%)
- Cyber Monday had stronger tech and software deals (up to 30–35%)
- Mobile Shopping Keeps Growing – More than 50% of Cyber Monday sales came from smartphones in 2024, a trend expected to climb higher in 2025.
Takeaway: If you’re comparing Black Friday vs Cyber Monday discounts, think in terms of categories and channels. Shoppers still trust in-store doorbusters on Friday, but Cyber Monday is unbeatable for digital-first products and convenience.
Who Should Shop Black Friday vs Cyber Monday?
Not every shopper benefits the same way from these two events. The right choice de like myCredpends on what you’re buying and how you like to shop.
Best for Black Friday
- In-store deal hunters – If you enjoy the rush of grabbing doorbusters, Black Friday still has the edge. NRF data shows that over 70% of shoppers plan at least one in-store visit during Black Friday 2025.
- Big-ticket buyers – Appliances, furniture, and large TVs often see their lowest sticker prices on Black Friday. Retailers use these items to pull crowds into stores.
- Shoppers who want instant pickup – Many retailers let you buy online and pick up the same day. That saves you shipping costs and wait times.
Best for Cyber Monday
- Tech enthusiasts – If you’re after laptops, tablets, or smart home devices, Cyber Monday discounts tend to go deeper. Adobe’s 2024 data showed up to 35% off on electronics and cyber monday software.
- Software and digital goods buyers – Subscriptions, cloud tools, and online courses usually reserve their steepest promotions for Cyber Monday.
- Convenience seekers – No crowds, no checkout lines. Over half of Cyber Monday sales now happen on mobile, making it the simplest way to shop from anywhere.
Bottom line: The “winner” isn’t one-size-fits-all. Knowing who should shop Black Friday vs Cyber Monday depends on your product category, shopping style, and whether you value speed or convenience more.
Black Friday vs Cyber Monday Reddit Insights
If you want to know whether Black Friday vs Cyber Monday discounts are worth it, Reddit is full of honest shopper feedback. Real people share what worked, what didn’t, and how to avoid getting tricked by fake “sales.” Here are some key takeaways from recent threads:
- Price history matters – One user in r/Frugal said:
“If you haven’t been tracking prices on what you want for a few months … you have no way of knowing if something is a ‘deal’ or not.”
Another noticed a purse that was $69 for months suddenly advertised as a Black Friday 2025 deal for $99.
- Sales often feel weaker than expected – In r/economy, a user wrote:
“Most of the time these companies are having sales ALL year, so by the time Black Friday rolls around, the deals are the same deals you’d get 3 months ago.”
- Cyber Monday adds online perks – In r/Glossier, one shopper said:
“IME I prefer Cyber Monday since typically it’s the same % off but you’ll also get an extra GWP [gift with purchase].”
- Stock risk is real – On r/BoostMobile, a buyer worried about waiting for Cyber Monday:
“I might hold out … but if the phone goes out of stock or jumps in price, I’m stuck.”
- General disappointment – In r/Ask, someone summed it up:
“Normally I would buy clothes or PC parts, but this year everything seems to have been marked up and ‘discounted.’”
What This Means for Shoppers
Reddit users highlight the same concerns experts talk about:
- Don’t trust every “sale” tag. Check price history.
- Black Friday vs Cyber Monday sales often overlap, but Cyber Monday may throw in extra digital perks.
- Decide if you want to risk waiting for deeper discounts on Cyber Monday or lock in your deal on Black Friday before stock runs out.
Bottom line: Real shoppers say planning and skepticism are the best ways to avoid fake deals and spot true Black Friday vs Cyber Monday savings.
Ending Note
When it comes to Black Friday vs Cyber Monday, there’s no single winner. Black Friday 2025 deals still lead on big-ticket items like appliances and TVs, while Cyber Monday deals shine for tech, software, and online-only offers. The key is knowing where each event delivers the most value. Whether you chase in-store Black Friday sales or prefer Cyber Monday convenience, the best savings come from matching the right deal to the right day.