Pandemonium, a word that describes wild confusion and sheer madness, is something that can typically be found on the day after Thanksgiving – Black Friday. Known for its remarkable deals, discounts and esteemed door busters, the date typically kicks off the Christmas shopping season, and can leave many career oriented individuals – businesspersons and corporate professionals alike – fighting for the latest in technology for the workplace. However, which is better when it comes to business…Black Friday or Cyber Monday? That may just be a tough question to answer.
While many individuals are familiar with Black Friday, Cyber Monday is actually relatively new. According to cybermonday2011.com, the origins aren’t exactly well-known because the slogan practically came out of nowhere. Originally devised by Shop.org in 2005 for a press release to describe a 77 percent increase in online sales, Cyber Monday is typically looked at as the principal sales day for folks who don’t wish to leave their home or office. With as many people being trampled on Black Friday, why would they? However, avoiding being squashed and dodging long lines aren’t the only advantage of Cyber Monday. Online websites tend to have more of a variety as opposed to conventional stores which can be great when it comes to finding that new laptop, tablet or printer needed for the workplace.
However, there are some that still prefer to get caught up in Black Friday. After all, there’s nothing like having that brand new external hard drive the second that one purchases it. According to blackfridayandcybermonday.com, Black Friday can be traced back to the 1970’s and it didn’t become popular until 2002. Stores catering to all things technology such as Best Buy, CompUSA, and Office Depot usually open around six or five in the morning. However, this year, Best Buy is actually opening at midnight to get a head start, and believe it or not, other stores are following suit.
It seems that retailers, warehouses and stockrooms are trying to appeal to consumers with a love of gizmos and gadgets. However, not everyone is thrilled with this development. MSNBC reported that Target was given 190,000 protest signatures to stop the store from opening at midnight. It has been said that Black Friday can interfere with the time people share on Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped some retailers from preparing for the rush. Some entrepreneurs rely on the day to purchase business related items. Others save their money for Cyber Monday. Yet, this still doesn’t quite answer the question regarding which day is better. Sure, both days do have their respective pros and cons, but which is more beneficial for the businessman or businesswoman on the go?
Well, consider this – About.com recently put together the ten pros and cons of shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Listed amongst the pros of Cyber Monday was the fact that it can be easier to compare prices online. One of the cons was that shoppers may have to wait for shipping. Then there’s also the fact that supervisors may not be so fond of their employees shopping at their desks. As far as Black Friday is concerned, an obvious pro is that not everything that is on sale that day will be available on Cyber Monday. A con is that some of the merchandise could be lower-end.
Another thing to consider would be the amount of time that one spends on the internet. In this day and age, the world is full of people that frequent Facebook and Twitter which can be especially helpful in building a company’s online identity. The Retail Me Not Insider recommends Cyber Monday to people with a knack for frequenting the World Wide Web. Deals and discounts can be accessed with just a click of a button from the smartphone of any corporate executive on the go. In fact, CNN Money reported that online sales on Cyber Monday surged nearly 20 percent last year. Nearly four percent of consumers used smartphones to make their purchases in 2010. More can be expected for 2011.
This year, Cyber Monday is said to bring in record online sales. According to CNN, 75.9 million businessmen and businesswomen have access to the Internet at their office and plan on taking a break in order to shop online. Sales are even expected to hit $1.2 billion. So, is Cyber Monday the best bet?
Perhaps that’s in the eye of the shopper. After all, both days provide excellent deals for businesspersons looking for the latest in gizmos. However, when it comes to selecting the right day to participate in spending while saving, it may just depend on one’s needs and one’s schedule.
No use standing in line for a Kindle Fire when you can order it online.
Which do you prefer – Cyber Monday or Black Friday? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.