A critical retail event that kicks off the holiday shopping season in the United States. The term refers to the weekend following Thanksgiving Day, which includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This period has become the biggest shopping event of the year, driving significant revenue for businesses. Black Friday, traditionally known for in-store retail sales, begins immediately after Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday, which emerged in the mid-2000s, focuses on online shopping deals. The rise of e-commerce has led many retailers to extend their sales across the entire weekend and even beyond.
Key Objectives for Businesses
BFCM offers businesses several strategic opportunities:
- Clear existing inventory before year-end: Retailers aim to reduce excess stock to make room for new products.
- Acquire new customers at a lower cost: Discounts and promotions attract price-sensitive shoppers.
- Build email and customer lists for future marketing: Businesses collect customer data to nurture future sales.
- Boost Q4 revenue: BFCM often accounts for a significant portion of annual sales.
- Launch new products with significant initial sales: New items can gain traction during this high-traffic period.
Evolution of BFCM
The shopping period has evolved significantly with the rise of e-commerce. Many retailers now adopt omnichannel approaches, combining in-store experiences with digital commerce, mobile shopping, and social media marketing to maximize reach and sales potential. The event has also expanded globally, with many countries adopting similar shopping holidays.
Table: Upcoming BFCM Dates
Here is a table of the next ten years of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Thanksgiving Day is always on the fourth Thursday of November:
| Year | Thanksgiving Day | Black Friday | Cyber Monday |
| 2024 | November 28 | November 29 | December 2 |
| 2025 | November 27 | November 28 | December 1 |
| 2026 | November 26 | November 27 | November 30 |
| 2027 | November 25 | November 26 | November 29 |
| 2028 | November 23 | November 24 | November 27 |
| 2029 | November 22 | November 23 | November 26 |
| 2030 | November 28 | November 29 | December 2 |
| 2031 | November 27 | November 28 | December 1 |
| 2032 | November 25 | November 26 | November 29 |
| 2033 | November 24 | November 25 | November 28 |
