Cyber Monday or Black Friday: Which Delivers the Best Bargains?

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s soon followed by Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These aren’t traditional holidays, but they’re big shopping events that kick off the festive season with some fantastic deals. But which one offers better sales?

### Black Friday: The Classic Shopping Day

Growing up, I always looked forward to Black Friday. It was known for having the best sales of the year, or so I believed.

**Where It All Began**
Black Friday was originally designed to boost sales for physical stores, aiming to move their finances from red to black. Businesses went all out to attract customers with huge discounts, and shoppers often ended up buying more once they stepped inside. Positioned right after Thanksgiving, it took advantage of the long weekend when people had free time to shop.

**A Shift in Tradition**
However, online shopping changed the game. Now, Black Friday isn’t just for brick-and-mortar stores; it includes online deals too. This dual approach offers consumers more opportunities to save. But does it outdo Cyber Monday? Let’s find out!

### The Rise of Cyber Monday

With the internet’s growth, Cyber Monday came into play. Black Friday was hugely successful but focused on physical stores, so online retailers created Cyber Monday to have their own big sales event.

### The Big Question: Who Has Better Sales?

Recently, the competition between these two shopping days has been intense. But is this rivalry good for shoppers? Not always. Navigating the sea of sales to find the best deals can be challenging.

**What’s Happening?**
The main issue is that Cyber Monday sales aren’t revealed in advance. So, deciding whether to grab a Black Friday deal or hold out for a potential Cyber Monday steal can be a risk. Plus, physical stores now offer Black Friday deals both online and in-store, making the sales landscape even more intriguing.

**By the Numbers**
Looking at the numbers can give us a hint. Lately, Cyber Monday has started to overshadow Black Friday. For instance, in 2017, Black Friday sales hit $5.03 billion, while Cyber Monday reached $6.59 billion. One key reason for this shift is mobile shopping. Since shopping doesn’t need a physical presence anymore, Black Friday is losing its edge. With just a tap or swipe, it’s easy to overspend, only feeling the impact when the credit card bill comes.

### The Verdict

Deciding which sales event is better really depends on your personal needs, preferences, and shopping habits. Many still love waiting in line for Black Friday deals, and as fewer people do this, it’s a good chance for those who are keen. Others prefer the ease of online shopping. Sometimes Black Friday has better deals on certain items, but Cyber Monday might offer the best bargains overall. It’s all about what fits your own comfort and shopping desires.

So, which event works best for you – Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Would you brave the physical store lines for those amazing Black Friday deals?