How did it become a shopping phenomenon, and what does it mean to you?

What exactly is Cyber ​​Monday?

Cyber ​​Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving. It’s the day when retailers roll out some of their best deals online all year. No matter what gifts are on your holiday wish list, you’ll likely find a deal for them online this Cyber ​​Monday.

When Cyber ​​Monday first started, it was meant to be the online alternative to dealing with crowds during the chaos in stores on Black Friday, when online shopping wasn’t as prevalent as it is today. Since then, it has grown into a major retail event in its own right. In fact, many retailers are now offering deals online and in-store for Cyber ​​Week, starting on Thanksgiving Day and including everything between Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday to boost holiday sales.

Date Cyber ​​Monday

In 2005, the National Retail Federation noticed an interesting pattern: On the Monday after Thanksgiving, there was a jump in online shopping. This happened year after year. This is because at the time, many people had slow internet connections at home, so they waited to do their shopping until they returned to work on Monday, when the internet was faster.

Shop.org, a division of the National Retail Federation, introduced the term Cyber ​​Monday in a 2005 press release. The name caught on. Retailers capitalized on the hype by offering online-only deals, limited-time discounts, and free shipping to attract people. As people became more comfortable shopping online, Cyber ​​Monday quickly became known as the day to get great deals online without facing the Black Friday crowds.

By early 2010, smartphones took things even further. Suddenly, you no longer have to be in front of a computer. You can shop on your phone from your couch, during your lunch break, or even while waiting in line at a store. This shift helped take Cyber ​​Monday from a clever marketing idea to one of the biggest shopping events of the year.

Cyber ​​Monday Milestones

The rise of Cyber ​​Monday didn’t happen all at once. We have grown year over year as technology and the way we shop changes. Here are some of the biggest moments that shaped the shopping event we know today.

2005: The name appears for the first time

Cyber ​​Monday was officially launched in 2005, when Shop.org introduced the name in a press release. What started as a simple marketing idea turned into a national talking point almost overnight. Retailers jumped into the market with online offerings, and shoppers began to treat the day as a new digital tradition.

Late 2000s: Free shipping changes the game

In the early days of online shopping, shipping costs were one of the biggest reasons people hesitated to buy online. Retailers have begun using Cyber ​​Monday to promote free shipping or reduce shipping fees. Now, shopping online was not only convenient, but a better deal.

2010-2013: Smartphones take over

As smartphones and tablets become everyday household items, online shopping has moved from desktop computers to mobile phone screens. Browsing on your phone while watching TV, ordering a gift during your lunch break at the office, or even using your phone to find the best deal while shopping at the store has become the norm.

2020: Pandemic pushes shopping entirely online

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people skipped in-store shopping entirely during the holidays. That year, Cyber ​​Monday had its largest online sales ever recorded in the United States, according to Adobe Analytics. With so many people buying from home, retailers have expanded Cyber ​​Monday into Cyber ​​Week, extending deals across multiple days.

Today: personalized offers and seamless digital shopping

Now, Cyber ​​Monday runs on data. Retailers use real-time analytics, algorithms, and pricing tools to deliver personalized recommendations, flash sales, and targeted promotions. Mobile shopping continues to grow, and consumers have come to expect fast delivery, simple returns, and deals tailored to their interests.

The Future: Artificial Intelligence is impacting online shopping

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, it is set to become a defining force behind the next phase of online shopping, especially during events like Cyber ​​Monday.

AI-powered shopping dominance could reshape how deals are delivered and how quickly they are claimed.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

The Cyber ​​Monday blitz of online deals is part of a group of shopping days that make up the modern holiday gift-giving season. Cyber ​​Monday now concludes a long shopping weekend that begins with Black Friday and continues with Small Business Saturday focusing on local retailers.

Black Friday

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, began in the 1950s, when police in Philadelphia used the term to describe congestion and chaos caused by crowds heading downtown for post-holiday shopping before the Army-Navy football game. While the Black Friday shopping trend grew in Philadelphia, it had a negative connotation that retailers wanted to move away from.

By the 1980s, retailers were telling a different story: Black Friday was portrayed as the moment when stores went from operating in the red (at a loss) to operating in the black (profit), cementing its image as a crucial sales day. Today, it remains one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with chains offering limited-time offers in-store and online.

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 to encourage shoppers to support local and independent businesses on the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday. The U.S. Small Business Administration later became an official co-sponsor, helping to promote the event nationwide. For many small local retailers, this day has become an important part of their annual sales.

Bottom line

Cyber ​​Monday started as a simple marketing idea in 2005, intended to encourage online shopping on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Thanks to broadband connections, mobile devices, major online marketplaces, and increasingly sophisticated digital marketing, it has developed into one of the biggest shopping days of the year.