The distinction between Black Friday and Cyber Monday has all but disappeared. What once were separate shopping days have merged into a month-long stretch of discounts, starting as early as Halloween and extending well into December. This shift is driven by retailers pushing sales earlier to capture holiday spending, and consumers shopping online regardless of the day.
The History of Two Shopping Days
The term “Cyber Monday” emerged in 2005 when the National Retail Federation noticed a surge in online sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The idea was that people would use faster internet connections at work to shop, but the reality is that retailers simply wanted a piece of the online holiday spending. For years, Black Friday was in-store, Cyber Monday was online… but that’s no longer true.
Are There Real Differences Now?
Not really. Both days offer similar discounts, and many deals overlap. There are still some tendencies: TV deals tend to be more aggressive on Black Friday, with higher chances of selling out quickly. Cyber Monday is often a good time to check for new laptop deals, but it’s not a hard rule. The key is to grab what you want when you see a price you like, because deals can change rapidly.
How Long Does Black Friday Last?
Black Friday isn’t just one day anymore. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart start offering “Black Friday” sales in early November, and Amazon and Best Buy’s official sales run from November 20th through Black Friday itself (November 28th in 2025). After Friday, the sales continue under the “Cyber Monday” banner, though the discounts don’t change much.
When Do Cyber Monday Deals Really Start?
Officially, Cyber Monday begins on December 1st. But in practice, “Cyber Monday” deals often appear as early as Saturday, the day after Black Friday. Retailers simply re-brand existing discounts under the Cyber Monday label, making the distinction mostly semantic.
The bottom line: Don’t overthink it. If you see a good price, buy it, regardless of whether it’s labeled Black Friday or Cyber Monday. The best strategy is to monitor prices throughout November and act quickly when you find something you want.
