The Biggest Shopping Events of the Year
Black Friday and Cyber Monday — collectively known as the BFCM weekend — mark the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers across fashion, electronics, travel, and home goods roll out some of their steepest discounts of the entire year. But without a plan, it's easy to overspend or miss the deals that actually matter to you.
When Do the Sales Start?
In recent years, "Black Friday" has stretched far beyond a single day. Many retailers begin teaser sales in early November, with the main event running from Black Friday through to Cyber Monday. Some extend deals into the following week. The lesson: don't wait until Friday to start watching prices.
How to Prepare (Start Weeks in Advance)
- Build your wishlist now – Write down exactly what you want to buy before the sale starts. Impulse purchases are how retailers profit from BFCM shoppers.
- Research normal prices – Use a price history tool to record the current price of each item on your list. This lets you instantly evaluate whether a "Black Friday price" is genuinely lower.
- Create accounts early – Register with retailers you plan to buy from before the sale. Slow websites and checkout errors are common during peak traffic.
- Sign up for early access – Many retailers offer exclusive early deals to email subscribers or loyalty members. Join these programmes before November.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Black Friday | Cyber Monday |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | In-store shopping event | Online-only shopping event |
| Best for | Electronics, appliances, clothing | Software, subscriptions, online services |
| Deal depth | Very deep on big-ticket items | Deep on digital goods and tech |
| Duration | Increasingly runs all week | Often extends through the week |
Categories With the Best BFCM Discounts
- Consumer electronics – Televisions, laptops, headphones, and gaming consoles often see their lowest annual prices.
- Fashion and apparel – Clothing brands frequently offer sitewide percentage-off sales.
- Travel – Some airlines and hotels release limited Black Friday fare and booking deals.
- Software & subscriptions – Cyber Monday is the best time to subscribe to annual plans for tools, streaming services, and apps.
Avoiding BFCM Pitfalls
- Don't buy something just because it's "on sale." Only buy items you planned to purchase anyway.
- Watch out for "doorbuster" deals with very limited stock — these are designed to drive traffic, not to actually save you money at scale.
- Check return policies — some retailers tighten returns during the sale period.
- Compare prices across multiple retailers before committing, even on the day.
With preparation and discipline, BFCM can be one of the best opportunities of the year to buy things you genuinely need at meaningfully lower prices. The key is going in with a plan.