Every year, we ask the same question: “Is Black Friday still a thing… or have the sales already been running all month?” And honestly, they’re not wrong. What used to be a single day of huge discounts has slowly stretched into weeks of promos, “early access” deals and “extended” sales. Is it still worth paying attention and what happened to Cyber Monday?
Let’s break it down.
The Rise of Black Friday Month
Once upon a time, Black Friday meant queues outside shops at 5 am, elbow-to-elbow bargain hunting, and one-day-only offers you couldn’t afford to miss.
Now? Retailers start dropping “early Black Friday deals” the moment November hits. Some even begin in late October.
Why the shift?
- Longer campaigns mean more sales opportunities, both online and in-store.
- Retailers compete earlier each year, trying to capture customers before their competitors do.
- Consumers prefer spreading out their spending, especially with tighter household budgets.
The result? Black Friday isn’t a day anymore, it’s 6 weeks!
Where Did Cyber Monday Go?
Cyber Monday used to be the digital counterpart to Black Friday: one day of online-only deals designed to clear stock and drive ecommerce growth.
But today, almost everything is online already. The separation between “in-store Friday” and “online Monday” has all but gone. Many brands combine the two into a long weekend event or a month-long one.
Cyber Monday still exists, but the exclusivity has gone. Instead of “massive extra discounts”, it’s often:
- The same offers are continuing
- A small top-up discount
- A marketing email reminding you not to forget your basket
Not quite the digital fireworks it used to be.
So… Are Black Friday Sales Worth It?
Yes, but with a few cautions.
There are genuine deals. But there’s also a lot of noise.
Here’s how to make it worthwhile:
- Check price history; some “sales” aren’t really sales.
- Don’t rush; earlier access means more time to compare.
- Focus on big purchases where discounts genuinely matter.
- Use Black Friday as a wishlist check, not a spontaneous splurge.
If you’re strategic, Black Friday can still save you a decent amount of money. Just don’t feel pressured; the real trick is not the day you buy, but the planning you put in.
Final Thought
Black Friday hasn’t disappeared; it’s just changed shape. From a one-day shopping frenzy to a month-long marketing machine, the deals are still there… You just need to navigate them smartly.
And as for Cyber Monday? Let’s just say it’s enjoying a quiet retirement.
