What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is a marketing term referring to the surge in online shopping that occurs on the Monday following Thanksgiving in the United States. The concept was created by Shop.org in 2005 when retailers noticed a huge spike in online sales that day. The idea: Many consumers returned to work with faster internet connections after the Thanksgiving holiday, and retailers wanted to encourage them to shop online.
While Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving) traditionally emphasizes in-store and early morning deals, Cyber Monday tends to focus on online deals and attract consumers who prefer digital shopping. But now many retailers are blurring the lines, and Black Friday deals can start online, and Cyber Monday deals often include in-store tie-ins.
Cyber Monday has become one of the biggest shopping days of the year and is a big boost to the holiday shopping season. It also gives shoppers a second chance to score big discounts after Black Friday, especially on tech and big-ticket items.
When is Cyber Monday 2025?
Cyber Monday 2025 falls on Monday, December 1. The shopping holiday is always the first Monday after Thanksgiving, i.e. the fourth Thursday in November (November 27, 2025). This means that the date of Cyber Monday could be from November 26 to December 2, depending on what’s happening on the calendar. Internationally, some retailers are promoting Cyber Week, so the exact deal period may vary by country or store.
Events are primarily held online, and many retailers offer limited-time deals, so it’s important to note the times different stores use for sales. Most large retailers in the United States use Eastern Time for online transactions, while local stores may use local time. Always check the fine print to ensure you are using the correct time zone.
Why Cyber Monday is Important
According to the 2025 Holiday Shopping Report, approximately 63% of shoppers plan to participate in Cyber Monday. More than one in four shoppers spend more than $1,000 on holiday shopping, often on top categories such as clothing, accessories (78%) and electronics (70%). Mobile shopping also continues to grow. By 2024, Cyber Monday accounted for 57% of sales.
These numbers show that Cyber Monday is not just a hype event, but a major retail milestone.
Top Categories of Cyber Monday Deals
The most popular categories on Cyber Monday include electronics such as TVs, laptops, and headphones; clothing and accessories; Home and kitchen items such as small appliances, cookware and decorations; toys and games; health and beauty; Includes gift cards and subscriptions.
Discount and Promotion Trends
Each Cyber Monday brings new deals and discounts, but several trends have emerged over the years.
Electronics often offer the steepest average discounts, including an average discount of about 30% in 2024. Retailers are increasingly offering bundles or limited-time doorbuster-style specials online. Mobile shopping is also on the rise, and many stores offer app-specific promotions or mobile-specific codes.
Cyber Monday deals now often extend beyond Monday and into the rest of the week. It’s wise to monitor upcoming sales early so you can take advantage of Cyber Week as a whole.
What is Cyber Week?
Cyber Week is an extended shopping period that begins on Cyber Monday and lasts all week. This is one of the busiest online shopping events of the year and is designed to give consumers more time to find digital deals and discounts when holiday shopping.
Retailers launch or extend special online-only promotions that match or exceed Black Friday deals. Some brands launch daily closeout offers or limited-time flash sales to keep the momentum going throughout the week.
Cyber Week reflects the shift from in-store shopping to online holiday shopping. It’s designed for convenience, allowing shoppers to compare prices, accumulate rewards, and earn discounts and cashback without the hustle and bustle of a brick-and-mortar store.
Tips for a Successful Cyber Monday Shopping Experience
How to prepare for Cyber Monday sales
Holiday shopping can be overwhelming. This is especially true when you’re trying to compare both items and deals from different stores. Here are some guidelines to make holiday shopping a little easier this year.
- Create a wish list Checking the pre-sale price of an item in advance will make it easier to identify real deals once Cyber Monday rolls around.
- Set up price alerts You can use a browser extension or app to see if the sale price is actually a discount from the regular price.
- Create or update your account beforehand. Log in to verify your username, password, address, and payment information. You can be ready when a surprise sale you can’t miss appears.
- Retail Email List Monitoring And never miss a sale date with your club membership. Many deals open before Cyber Monday, so you’ll need to be prepared.
- Enable notifications Don’t miss out on limited-time deals with your favorite retailers’ mobile apps.
- Check shipping and returns termsThat’s because some sale items may have stricter return policies than the store’s normal return policy.
- priority big-ticket item You were planning to buy it anyway. If you’re looking to buy a new TV, appliance, or other big-ticket item, wait until Cyber Week to find the best deals.
Strategies for Finding the Best Deals
Once you’ve prepared for the big day, you’ll need to consider your approach to securing the best price possible. Here are some tips for getting the best deals on Cyber Monday.
- use comparison tool And our price history tracker lets you make sure the discounts you’re seeing are real. Some stores raise their prices before a sale to make the discount seem bigger. Make sure the deal you are getting is actually a deal.
- stack promotionsCombine retail store discounts, online coupon codes and Rakuten Cashback, and more.
- Shop from our mobile appThat’s because many stores offer exclusive mobile-only deals (not to mention faster payments).
- Check the “Notifications” option.. If the item you want is sold out, check with the retailer’s website to see if they offer notifications when the item is back in stock. Many retailers release items in batches throughout the day or week.
- use your Incognito mode in browser Alternatively, use Clear Cache mode if you experience slow load times or want to avoid tracking-based price increases.
- Use a dedicated credit card This service provides bonus points when shopping online.
- Keep trading fatigue in mind. You might be reluctant to jump on a good price early on, but if you wait for a slightly better price later, you risk missing out entirely. Maintain a balance between waiting and acting.
Shop with Rakuten for Cash Back
In addition to all the retail deals you can find during Cyber Week, you can also earn cash back on all your purchases when you shop through Rakuten. Here are some tips to make the most of every shopping trip.
- Cashback activation. Before you click through to a retailer’s site to start shopping, go to Rakuten and activate your cashback link to qualify for your purchase.
- Check out Rakuten promotions. Cyber Week often offers additional cashback on select categories.
- Combine Rakuten Cashback and Coupon Codes. Check out Rakuten and its partners to find coupons that can stack with cash back.
- Track your cashback schedule. Some retailers will credit you cash back right away, while others won’t give you cash back until after verification or until the return period has expired.
final thoughts
Cyber Monday has become a cornerstone of the online holiday shopping calendar. By planning ahead and utilizing smart shopping strategies (hello, Rakuten Cash Back!), you’ll be in a great position to get the best value for every purchase. With discounts in top categories such as electronics, homewares, fashion, and more, Cyber Monday offers both opportunity and competition. Plan ahead, act early, and shop smart to maximize your savings. Happy deal hunting!
