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Woman & Home

Lifestyle

Heidi Scrimgeour

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: Which one has better deals?

Black Friday (Topic) Very Amazon Anthropologie Jo Malone

Woman making an online payment from home .

Wondering whether Black Friday or Cyber Monday has the best deals?

Black Friday has been and gone for another year, and Cyber Monday is now here –and with Christmas just around the corner, shoppers are flocking to both online and in-store sales for some incredible bargains. With the cost of living remaining high, Cyber Weekend deals can make a big difference in helping budgets to stretch further.

Typically, Black Friday offers competitive discounts across a wide range of products, both in-store and online, while Cyber Monday is often the go-to day for tech deals and online-exclusive brands. But are Cyber Monday discounts as good as those on Black Friday?

Traditionally, Black Friday sales would begin in late November, but in recent years, many retailers have started offering discounts earlier in the month. This year, many retailers launched their Black Friday deals well in advance, leading to some confusion about when Black Friday ends. While Black Friday officially falls the day after Thanksgiving in the United States (the fourth Thursday in November), in the UK, sales events often kick off a week or two before the actual date.

Some retailers embraced a month-long sale period, while others concentrated their biggest discounts around the week of Black Friday. This year, Black Friday fell on Friday, 29 November 2024, with sales peaking on the day itself and continuing through Cyber Monday on 2 December 2024.

According to analysis from the Adobe Digital Insights team, UK shoppers spent £1.12 billion online on Black Friday 2024 – an increase of 7.2%, or £75 million, from 2023. This suggests a renewed interest in Black Friday deals, possibly driven by stabilising inflation and the appeal of discounts amidst ongoing economic pressures.

We've certainly seen stock starting to sell out on our favourite deals. So, whether you're after tech, fashion, or home goods, now is the time to grab those bargains while they last!

Quick links to Cyber Monday sales

Amazon: Prices slashed from 21st November to 2nd December
Anthropologie: Up to 50% off in the sale - live now
Marks and Spencer: No official Black Friday sale but plenty of bargains
Very: Deals live until midnight
Sephora: Huge savings on make-up, skincare and fragrance
Argos: Their biggest ever Black Friday weekend sale is now on

No time to scour the Cyber Monday sales looking for bargains? Don't worry, we've done it for you - here's our curation of some of the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals across fashion, beauty, homewares and health.

What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

The big difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is largely a thing of the past. Traditionally, Black Friday was for major purchases like TVs and tech products and was primarily an in-store sale event, while Cyber Monday focused on smaller electronics, appliances and clothing, with deals exclusively available online. However, this distinction has largely disappeared as retailers now offer discounts across all categories on both days, both online and in-store. The trend of launching sales well before Black Friday has also blurred the lines, making it easier for shoppers to find deals throughout November.

Brits prefer shopping online, according to a study from Credit Karma, with 70% of shoppers preferring to buy online and via mobile since the pandemic. With the trend moving more towards shoppers buying online, retailers tend to prioritise online discounts where they are not limited by opening hours or in-store stock levels.

There are also a whole host of popular retailers that don't have high-street stores such as Amazon, Asos, Cult Beauty, and Ao.com. But these retailers love to get in on the discount action when Black Friday rolls around.

However you choose to shop, make sure you understand your consumer rights and how to get your money back, should you wish to.

Which day has the better deals - Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

The level of discount you can expect on Cyber Monday is similar to what we saw on Black Friday, but it really depends on the retailer. Many retailers change up the products they discount throughout the sale, and you won’t always know in advance what’s coming next. Some might even offer additional reductions towards the end of the sale, particularly on seasonal stock they’re eager to clear — but this isn't always guaranteed.

This Cyber Monday, we've seen a mixed bag – with Cyber Monday dehumidifier deals that are cheaper than the Black Friday prices (but selling fast), an unmissable discount on the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, and an extra 25% off everything at Anthropologie for today-only. So if you've been holding out for the best prices on one of those, look no further. In other categories, some prices are largely the same as they have been for the past week, albeit with lower stock levels today and a slightly annoying countdown clock on some retailer websites alerting you to the final few hours of their sale.

A study undertaken by money.co.uk reportedly found that shoppers only really consider a discount to be a real bargain if it is a reduction of 25% or more - highlighting that consumers are expecting genuine deals at a time when their finances are stretched thanks to the high cost of living.

The best way to approach the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales is to be prepared. Come up with a list of the items you are looking to buy, which retailers sell them, and make a note of their pre-sale price. You can also use tools like Camel Camel Camel and Kelkoo to get alerts of discounts, and in the case of Camel Camel Camel, check historical prices of Amazon items to see how low the price has been before and when items tend to be cheapest - which, importantly, may not necessarily be over Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

If you see something on your list at a discounted price that you are prepared to pay, then whether you snap it up or hold off hoping for a further discount is a bit of a gamble. So it's worthwhile framing it in your mind as to whether it is a need or a want. Needs are worth getting when you see a price you are willing to pay, whereas wants might be worth holding out for.

If you find that it's later discounted by significantly more, you may be able to buy it again at the cheaper price and return the more expensive one when it arrives.

Our pick of the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals

How to find the best discounts over Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Check the previous price to make sure you're actually getting a discount.
Check the price of the product at other retailers before you purchase.
Sign up for email newsletters from your favourite retailers so you can be notified as soon as deals go live. It's also worth following them on social media. You might even find you get offered special extra discount codes or early access to offers before the general public.
Avoid trawling through pages of deals if you're shopping online, it's a surefire way to spend money on stuff you don't want or need.
Sign up for a cashback site in advance to earn while you spend.

Retailer tricks to look out for over Black Friday weekend

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals can save you some serious money, the main purpose of these events is, of course, for retailers to make money. Watch out for these tactics that retailers may use to get you to spend more:

Using cookies to show higher prices on an item based on spending behaviour
'Last chance to buy' labels making shoppers feel pressure to buy
Putting prices up in advance so discounts seem bigger during sales
Changing prices depending on the time of day and day of the week
Making popular items had to find in store so you'll browse and spend more

Commenting as part of Capital One UK's One Good Thing campaign that aims to improve consumer trust, retail analyst Natalie Berg says: “It’s easy to get swept up in the Black Friday frenzy, but it’s important to remember that it’s only a bargain if you need it.

"Retailers often inflate prices just before Black Friday to create the illusion of jaw-dropping discounts, so consumers must do their homework.”

While you'll find loads of major retailers slashing their prices for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's a really difficult time of year for smaller, independent businesses who can't afford to offer discounts in the same way. To help, Not On The High Street is challenging shoppers to buy nothing during Black Friday, unless it's from a small business.

How to avoid Black Friday scammers

With the growing popularity of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, more people than ever are searching for discounts and deals online. Unfortunately, this also means the risk of falling victim to scams is higher.

To protect your money and personal information, only shop on reputable websites you know and trust. Check reviews on platforms like Trustpilot before making a purchase, and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true - chances are, they probably are.

Also, stay alert for unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank about suspicious activity. Scammers often use fear tactics to pressure you into acting quickly without thinking. If you receive such a call, hang up, and if you're concerned, contact your bank directly using the phone number on their official website or visit your local branch.

Is Black Friday and Cyber Monday worth it?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are only truly worth it if you can snag something you were already planning to buy but at a discounted price. Otherwise, the sales can be a minefield of temptation, with phrases like "hurry, only five items left" or "deal ends in two hours" designed to pressure you into making impulse purchases you don't need.

However, if you're prepared with a clear list, have done your research, and shop around to compare prices at different retailers, these sales can be a smart way to tick off your Christmas shopping at a fraction of the cost.

If you are after a gift for yourself, or maybe even a gift for friends, check out our guide to the best Jo Malone deals to see what kind of discounts are available in the Black Friday sale.

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