Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Read on giovaniimprenditoriconfcommercio.it

The “Black Friday” day (crazy discounts applied by physical stores and online on Friday following the Thanksgiving day) is now spread all over the world, including Italy but where did it originate?

Apparently, after celebrating Thanksgiving, Americans devoted the next 24 hours of celebration (a bit ‘like our Santo Stefano) to shopping, often to buy the imminent Christmas gifts. What emerged was the strategic move of ad hoc discounts from many retailers.

The name “Black Friday” for some would be born in Philadelphia, and it derives from the heavy road traffic that develops on this day. For others, however, it would have to be traced back to the books of traders who passed by the color red (losses) to black (gains).

The first track of Black Friday still dates back to 1924, when the Macy’s chain organized the first parade to celebrate the start of the Christmas shopping, but it was only with the economic boom of the 80s this tradition of trade exploded in the United States and, later, in the rest of the world.

After the traditional shops, around 2005, they began to add those online, creating a new occurrence, that of Cyber Monday, the Monday after the feast, in which the scout are exclusively to e-commerce.

In Italy there is a higher incidence of purchases during the Black Friday especially online, because our country does not celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and buyers are taking advantage of global promotions.

According to data from a survey conducted by the website and Idealo.it price comparison, “in Italy, in 2015 there was a growth of the phenomenon that are the 33,46% over the previous year. In detail, the percentage increase of traffic compared to the previous three weeks and later in 2015 was 78% for the Back Friday and 40% for Cyber Monday. “In 2014, the growth was more moderate, with 11,03% more visitors to the Black Friday and only 4.52% for Cyber Monday.

Most popular products mainly belong to the consumer electronics industry (gaming consoles, food processor, notebook, LED TV, objectives, cameras, smartphones …).

According to research conducted by Advisato.it, portal for the collection of coupons and discount codes, target mainly includes “young people aged between 18 and 34 years, of which 52% are women, while 48% of men.”

User engagement and conversations on social which deal with the issue of the black weekend discounts reflect an understandable peak of interest in the day of Friday (45%), up from the previous day (30%) and then to subside in the days ( 25%) when the consumer, still hope for some last-minute offer.