Black Friday and Cyber Monday, jointly referred to by the acronym BFCM, are pillars of the retail calendar. Traditionally marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season, they are significant events for both consumers and businesses, with their impact and influence growing each year.
Black Friday
Black Friday, is the day following Thanksgiving in the United States. While initially marked by brick-and-mortar retailers, it has since permeated the digital marketplace. The day is characterized by a shopping frenzy, as retailers offer substantial discounts on a broad array of goods. This tradition of slashed prices encourages consumers to start their holiday shopping, with many braving early morning hours and lengthy queues to snag coveted deals.
Cyber Monday
On the heels of Black Friday comes Cyber Monday, an event born in the digital age. Coined in 2005 by Shop.org, the online arm of the National Retail Federation, Cyber Monday takes place on the Monday immediately following Thanksgiving. Initially, it was designed to motivate people to shop online at a time when e-commerce was still in its infancy.
Together, they are a very important weekend for retailers
Together, Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) form a powerhouse weekend for retail, both online and offline. Many retailers extend sales across this four-day period, transforming it into a long weekend of deals and shopping excitement. For many businesses, BFCM is one of the most profitable periods of the year, while for consumers, it offers a chance to secure holiday gifts at a fraction of their usual cost.
The takeaway
The acronym BFCM stands for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two significant events on the retail calendar. They represent a blend of tradition and modernity in retail – the age-old practice of holiday shopping given a fresh spin by the rise of digital commerce. As consumer shopping habits continue to evolve, BFCM is poised to remain a pivotal part of the retail landscape, reflecting changes in technology, marketing strategies, and consumer behavior.
