Posted: September 4th, 2022

Black Friday versus Cyber Monday

Black Friday versus Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two shopping days that retailers give mass discounts to customers and huge numbers of customers purchase the products. The history of Black Friday can be traced back to the early days when people bought Christmas gifts and retailers sold items at discounted prices. Cyber Monday came to existence in 2005. This is after the natural existence of online shopping stores. Before that, people were encouraged to make purchases online. Cyber Monday came by as a competitor of Black Friday.
The word Cyber Monday came from the internet, which was known as cyberspace. Cyber Monday was born out of the online space, while Black Friday came from retail where people went to purchase products. Modern shoppers prefer to purchase online. Cyber Monday generates more revenue than Black Friday. Last year Cyber Monday generated 7.9 billion dollars for retailers in the US, while Black Friday generated 6.2 billion dollars.
Both days have social and economic impacts on society. They enable people with less amount of money to purchase necessities that they could not afford at a discounted price. Last year electronics were the most purchased items. Black Friday and Cyber Monday also allow people with more than enough to get more items.
The overconsumption of products during Black Friday and Cyber Monday has raised concerns due to the increase in wastes. Clothes are among the most purchased products. Research shows that waste clothes are thrown away every second. This has raised fear of an increase in carbon when the waste is burnt and the smoke gets into the air. Carbon has serious effects on the respiratory system of humans.
Apart from clothes, electronics are also highly purchased during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These include phones, laptops, cameras, tablets among others. Such products end up becoming electronic waste. Research shows that electronic waste is highly dangerous to children. Chemicals in electronic waste can cause cognitive and neurological disorders among children.
Cyber Monday was named Monday rather than Saturday or Tuesday because online retailers felt that people shop more on Mondays when they are in the office. They prefer fast computers and speedy internet connection. Cyber Monday has more buyers than Black Friday. Consumers have revealed that they would purchase more online if shipping was free. One-third of online retailers, transport products to customers for free. Customers prefer Cyber Monday because they can compare prices online.
References
Swilley, E., & Goldsmith, R. E. (2013). Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Understanding consumer intentions on two major shopping days. Journal of retailing and consumer services, 20(1), 43-50.
Murphy, M. (2013). Black Friday and Cyber Monday: a case study. Int J. Electronic Marketing and Retailing, 5(3), 187.
Begg, R. (2017). Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2016 customer trends and analysis from salesforce.

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