Of course! You’ve hit on the two biggest shopping events of the year. Here’s a breakdown of each, including key dates, strategies, and how they differ.
Feature | Cyber Monday | Christmas Sales |
---|---|---|
When | The Monday after Thanksgiving | Throughout December, peaking right before Christmas |
Focus | Online deals across all categories | Gift-giving, with a focus on last-minute gifts & holiday items |
Origin | Coined in 2005 to promote online shopping | Traditional holiday retail season |
Best For | Tech, appliances, toys, site-wide discounts | Clothing, gifts, gourmet food, decorations, experience gifts |
When: The Monday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.). In 2024, it will be on December 2nd.
What it is:
Cyber Monday is an e-commerce sales holiday designed to encourage people to shop online. It’s known for some of the deepest discounts of the year, particularly on:
Electronics: TVs, laptops, headphones, smartphones, gaming consoles, smart home devices.
Appliances: Kitchen and home appliances.
Toys: Hot holiday toys are often discounted.
Fashion & Beauty: Site-wide discounts (e.g., “40% off everything”) are common.
Key Strategies:
Start Early: Many deals now begin on Thanksgiving and extend through “Cyber Week.”
Price Tracking: Use tools like Honey, CamelCamelCamel, or Google Shopping to check historical prices and ensure it’s a real deal.
Sign Up for Newsletters: Retailers often send exclusive promo codes to subscribers.
Check Return Policies: They can be more strict for clearance or holiday items.
When: The entire month of December, with intensity building right up to December 25th.
What it is:
The Christmas sales period is a marathon, not a sprint. It encompasses all retail efforts to sell holiday gifts. Deals evolve as the month goes on:
Early December: Broad sales on popular gift items (toys, fashion, cosmetics).
Green Monday (2nd Monday in Dec.): Often considered the “Cyber Monday of December,” a major mid-month online sales day.
Last-Minute Sales (Mid-to-Late Dec.): Deep discounts on remaining inventory, especially for items like decorations, wrapping paper, and gourmet foods. Shipping deadlines pass, and focus shifts to in-store pickup and gift cards.
After Christmas (Dec. 26th): The start of the “Boxing Week” or “Post-Christmas” sales, focused on clearance of holiday inventory and deep discounts on winter seasonal items.
Key Strategies:
Watch Shipping Deadlines: Know the final days for standard and express shipping to ensure gifts arrive on time.
Use “Buy Online, Pick Up In Store” (BOPIS): This is a lifesaver for last-minute shopping.
Gift Cards: A safe, last-minute option that never misses the shipping deadline.
Experience Gifts: Sales on subscriptions, classes, and travel packages are common.
Make a List & Budget: It’s easy to get caught up in the “deal frenzy.” Stick to your list to avoid overspending.
Research Beforehand: Know what you want and what a good price looks like for it.
Bookmark Pages: Save the product pages of items you’re targeting for quick access.
Check for Early Access: Many retailers offer early deals to loyalty program members or credit card holders.
Think Beyond the Big Days: Sometimes the best price isn’t on Cyber Monday. Use price tracking tools to find the right time to buy.
In short: Cyber Monday is your day for big-ticket online items. The Christmas sales are a longer season focused on gifting, with the best strategies changing as the holiday gets closer.
Is there a specific type of item you’re looking for? I can offer more targeted advice
Generally speaking, our order requirements are as follows: the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for large items is 50 pieces, for regular items it is 100 pieces, for small items it is 500 pieces, and for very small items (such as ceramic decorations) the MOQ is 1,000 pieces. Orders exceeding $100,000 will receive a 5% discount. The delivery timeline is determined based on the specific order quantity and production schedule. Typically, we are able to complete delivery within two months.