A History of Cyber Monday: Holiday Origins, Discounts, Deals & More

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As the holiday season begins, so does holiday shopping — which means Cyber Monday is just around the corner.

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The annual shopping day, which follows Thanksgiving and Black Friday, specializes in online sales on a wide range of merchandise — from fashion and footwear to technology, home goods and more. Originally begun in the early 2000s due to rising online retail traffic after Black Friday, Cyber Monday is viewed by many as an ideal way to discover deals without waiting in lengthy lines or dealing with checkout line issues while shopping for the holidays.

We took a closer look at Cyber Monday, from its origins to the 2023 deals that will be released during the upcoming holidays. Below, discover everything you need to know about the shopping-focused holiday as you prepare to swipe your credit cards this season.

What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is a shopping holiday that takes place on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The occasion finds various brands and retailers — similarly to the shopping holiday Black Friday — offering a variety of discounts and deals on a range of merchandise. On average, these discounts have totaled up to 60% off an item’s original price, according to Nationwide.

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Cyber Monday sales online in Nov. 2017.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

When is Cyber Monday in 2023?

This year, Cyber Monday will take place on Nov. 27, 2023. The shopping holiday follows Thanksgiving and Black Friday, which are held back-to-back on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24, respectively.

Who started Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday began in 2005, with the term coined by the National Retail Federation (NRF)’s senior vice president of research and strategic initiatives, Ellen Davis, according to Reader’s Digest. The NRF had previously observed a rise in online shopping during the occasion, with 77% of retailers at the time seeing online sales grow on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Originally, the cause was attributed to people shopping from their work computers — primarily to avoid recipients like their spouses, significant others or children from seeing their holiday purchases.

What is the Difference Between Cyber Monday & Black Friday?

The main difference between Cyber Monday and Black Friday is when each sale takes place; Black Friday is held on the Friday after Thanksgiving, when many people have the holiday weekend off, while Cyber Monday is held on the following Monday — which still qualifies as a “work day.” Cyber Monday is viewed as more convenient due to its lower wait times and fast checkout times, though both Cyber Monday and Black Friday’s respective discounts are fairly similar, according to NBC News.

What You Can Expect from Cyber Monday 2023

This year, Cyber Monday will be held on Nov. 27, 2023. Many brands and retailers feature site-wide discounts on a variety of products, while also further marking down merchandise that is already on sale. Some brands have already begun teasing their Cyber Monday 2023 deals, including Adidas, Under Armour and Saks Fifth Avenue.

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A USPS worker pushes a cart of packages in San Francisco for Cyber Monday on Dec. 2, 2019.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

How Can I Shop & Save on Cyber Monday?

Most brands participating in Cyber Monday advertise their new Cyber Monday sales on their websites’ homepages. However, you can also search the brands’ Cyber Monday deals on search engines online. Deals will also be shared on specific brands or retailers’ social media accounts — including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter — as well.

Which Shoe Brands Are Doing Cyber Monday 2023 Deals?

A wide variety of footwear brands will be participating in Cyber Monday with deals and discounts this year — which you can find listed below.

  • From Nov. 17-25, Naturalizer is offering up to 50% off of select styles on its website.

  • From Nov. 17-27, athletic brand Ryka will offer up to 50% off select styles and free shipping on its website.

  • From Nov. 20-28, Margaux will feature 40% off discounts on select items across its website.

  • From Nov. 21-27, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes is offering up to 65% off of all merchandise and free shipping on its website.

  • From Nov. 22-28, Havaianas will feature 30% off discounts across its website.

  • From Nov. 26-27, K-Swiss will offer a 35% discount on sneakers across its website.

  • On Nov. 27, formal shoe label Bella Belle will offer up to 40% off of styles on its website.

  • From Nov. 27-29, Vionic is offering 55% off of select styles on its website.

Which Brands Participate in Cyber Monday?

The majority of brands and retailers that have online marketplaces and websites participate in Cyber Monday. On the retailer front, deals have previously been found at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon, Target, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Walmart and more. Individual brands also participate in Cyber Monday, such as labels Coach, Kate Spade New York, Alo Yoga, Gymshark, Kenneth Cole, Lululemon, H&M, Nike, Adidas, Old Navy, Levi’s and Aritzia, among others.

About the Author:

Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote and interned for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.

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