Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day, and other shopping events across the world

Millions of shoppers worldwide eagerly anticipate Black Friday, whether they prefer browsing online or hitting their favourite brick-and-mortar stores. For consumers, it’s the ultimate chance to snag that dream item at an attractive price, while for retailers, it’s the perfect time to boost sales and clear out inventory.

But how did Black Friday grow into the global sensation it is today, even inspiring the creation of “Black Week” in some countries? And where did the name “Black Friday” come from in the first place? Discover the history behind this and many other shopping events, and explore when they’re celebrated around the globe!

In this post, we’ll tackle burning questions like:

• when is Black Friday 2024?
• when is Small Business Saturday?
• what is Cyber Monday?
• when is Singles’ Day celebrated?
• what other holidays are related to Black Friday?

Get ahead of the game and start planning your marketing campaigns today!

One of the most popular shopping days in the world, Black Friday, was born in the United States in the 1960s. As the name might suggest, Black Friday didn’t always carry the excitement it does today. Originally coined by Philadelphia police officers, it described the chaotic crowds and congested streets full of Americans rushing out for pre-Christmas shopping. For officers, it was a challenging day filled with accidents and thefts, resulting in long, gruelling shifts.

However, by the late 1980s, Black Friday began to transform into a celebration of incredible deals and massive discounts. Today, it’s the biggest shopping event of the year, with virtually every retailer joining in on the excitement. In 2023, global consumer spending reached a staggering $70.9 billion!

This global phenomenon spans regions including Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and Oceania. While Black Friday is celebrated worldwide on the same day, the length and intensity of sales can vary by country.

Many retailers are now embracing Black Week, extending promotions beyond a single day to create a week-long shopping extravaganza.

To capture consumer attention effectively across different markets, it’s essential for marketing campaigns to consider cultural, linguistic, and regional nuances. Tailoring your approach ensures your promotions resonate and drive engagement wherever your audience is located.

Another key year-end shopping event is Small Business Saturday, which takes place the day after Black Friday. This initiative encourages consumers to support local communities by shopping at small businesses, both physical and online.

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The Monday after Black Friday, Cyber Monday, is dedicated to online shopping and has become a major event for e-commerce enthusiasts. Originally created as a response to the growing demand for online deals when Black Friday primarily focused on brick-and-mortar stores, Cyber Monday emerged in 2005 to offer consumers fantastic deals from the comfort of their homes.

Just like Black Friday, Cyber Monday has evolved into Cyber Week in many countries.

Originally a day of self-celebration, Singles’ Day has transformed into a massive commercial event and now ranks among the world’s top shopping days. Each year, the popularity of Singles’ Day soars. In 2022, Alibaba reported record-breaking sales that were more than double the e-commerce sales in the US during Cyber Week.

For those who tend to leave Christmas shopping until the last minute, Green Monday is here to help! Usually celebrated on the second Monday of December, Green Monday is your final opportunity to make online purchases with guaranteed delivery before Christmas.

Who doesn’t love free delivery? Free Shipping Day is an annual, unofficial holiday where online stores offer free shipping on all orders. Taking place in mid-December, this day is perfect for encouraging last-minute shopping.

Boxing Day has its roots in medieval Britain. Originally a day for giving gifts wrapped in boxes to servants and those in need, it has evolved into a major post-Christmas shopping event known for its enticing sales and promotions.

The end of the year isn’t the only time to boost profits. Other key holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Grandmother’s Day, and Grandfather’s Day, also present significant sales opportunities.

Many of these holidays, like Mother’s Day, are celebrated on different dates worldwide, allowing you to engage international customers with tailored marketing campaigns. By leveraging the potential of these holidays, you can develop an effective sales strategy that attracts new customers and enhances the loyalty of existing ones.

Buy Nothing Day, a Canadian initiative created as a protest against consumerism, coincides with Black Friday. This day encourages individuals to forgo unnecessary purchases and reflect on their consumer habits.

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year and continues to grow in popularity. Retailers globally are striving to attract a wide range of customers, including international shoppers. The key to success is understanding local customs and tailoring your marketing strategy to fit specific market needs.

Need help planning a campaign for a foreign market, or support with localisation and optimisation of international content? Reach out to our expert to come up with a winning strategy!