What Is Cyber Monday?
“Cyber Monday” is a marketing term for the online shopping surge that happens on the Monday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It was coined by Shop.org in 2005, when retailers noticed that online sales spiked dramatically that day. The idea: Many consumers were back at work after the Thanksgiving holiday using faster internet connections, and retailers wanted to encourage them to shop online.
Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving) traditionally emphasizes in-store and early morning door-buster deals, but Cyber Monday is centered on online deals and tends to capture consumers who prefer digital shopping. Many retailers now blur the lines, though, and Black Friday deals may roll 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 it marks a major push for the holiday shopping season. It also offers shoppers a second chance to grab major discounts after Black Friday, especially on tech and big-ticket items.
When Is Cyber Monday 2025?
Cyber Monday 2025 falls on Monday, Dec. 1. The shopping holiday is always the first Monday after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Thursday of November (it’s on Nov. 27 in 2025). That means Cyber Monday’s date can range from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, depending on how the calendar falls. Internationally, some retailers promote Cyber Week, so the exact deal period may vary by country or store.
Because the event is largely online and many retailers offer limited-time deals, it’s important to note the time zone various stores use for their sales. Most large retailers in the U.S. use Eastern Time for online deals, while local stores may use local time. Always check the fine print to be sure you’re using the correct time zone.
Why Cyber Monday Matters
According to one 2025 holiday-shopping report, about 63% of shoppers plan to participate in Cyber Monday. Over 1 in 4 of those shoppers will spend $1,000 or more on holiday shopping, often in top categories such as clothing and accessories (78%) and electronics (70%). Mobile shopping also continues to grow: In 2024, it accounted for 57% of Cyber Monday sales.
Those numbers illustrate that Cyber Monday is not just hype, it’s a major retail milestone.
Top Categories for Cyber Monday Deals
The most sought-after categories for Cyber Monday include electronics, such as TVs, laptops and headphones; clothing and accessories; home and kitchen goods, such as small appliances, cookware and decor; toys and games; health and beauty; and gift cards and subscriptions.
Trends in Discounts and Promotions
Each Cyber Monday brings its own new deals and discounts, but some trends have emerged over the years.
Electronics often have some of the steepest average discounts, including an average of about 30% off in 2024. Retailers increasingly bundle deals or offer limited-time door-buster-style online specials. Mobile shopping is also on the rise, so many stores offer app-only promotions or mobile-exclusive codes.
Cyber Monday deals now often extend beyond Monday to the rest of the week. It’s wise to monitor upcoming sales early so you can take advantage of the full Cyber Week.
What Is Cyber Week?
Cyber Week is the extended shopping period that begins on Cyber Monday and continues through the entire week. It’s one of the busiest online shopping events of the year, created to give consumers more time to find digital deals and discounts on their holiday shopping.
Retailers launch or extend special online-only promotions that often match or surpass their Black Friday deals. Some brands also release daily door-buster offers or limited-time flash sales to maintain momentum throughout the week.
Cyber Week reflects the shift from in-store to online holiday shopping. It’s designed for convenience, letting shoppers compare prices, stack rewards, and score discounts and Cash Back without dealing with the crowds at brick-and-mortar stores.
Tips for a Successful Cyber Monday Shopping Experience
How to Prepare for Cyber Monday Sales
Holiday shopping can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to compare both items and deals across a variety of stores. Here are a few pointers to make your holiday shopping a little easier this year.
- Make a wish list ahead of time, and check the presale prices on those items so you can easily identify true bargains once Cyber Monday arrives.
- Set price alerts using browser extensions or apps so you know if the sale price is actually a discount compared to its normal price.
- Create or update your accounts ahead of time. Sign in to confirm your username, password, address and payment info so you’re ready when a can’t-miss flash deal pops up.
- Monitor retailer email lists and club memberships so you don’t miss sale start dates. Many deals go live before Cyber Monday, so you need to be prepared.
- Enable notifications on your favorite retailers’ mobile apps so you don’t miss limited-time lightning deals.
- Check shipping and return terms, because some sale items may have tighter parameters than the stores’ typical return policies.
- Prioritize big-ticket items you’ve been planning to buy anyway. If you’ve been itching to buy a new TV, appliances or other big-ticket items, try to hold out until Cyber Week to find the absolute best deals.
Strategies for finding the best deals
Once you’re prepared for the big day, you’ll need to consider your approach to securing the best prices possible. Here are some tips for scoring the best deals on Cyber Monday.
- Use comparison tools and price-history trackers to verify that the discount you’re seeing is genuine. Some stores will raise their prices before the sales so their discounts appear larger. Make sure the deal you’re getting really is a deal.
- Stack promotions, such as combining a retailer discount, an online coupon code and Rakuten Cash Back.
- Shop from mobile apps, because many stores offer exclusive mobile-only deals (not to mention faster checkout).
- Check for “notify me” options. If the item you want has sold out, check the retailer’s website to see if they offer notifications when it’s back in stock. Many retailers release items in batches throughout the day or week.
- Use your browser’s incognito mode or cache-cleared mode if you’re experiencing slow load times or you want to avoid tracking-based price hikes.
- Use a dedicated credit card that offers bonus points for online shopping.
- Be mindful of deal fatigue. You may be reluctant to jump on a good price early, but you risk missing out altogether if you hold out for a slightly better deal later. Balance waiting versus acting.
Shop Through Rakuten for Cash Back
On top of all the retailer deals you can find during Cyber Week, you can also score Cash Back on all your purchases when you shop through Rakuten. Below are some tips for making the most of every shopping trip.
- Activate Cash Back. Before you click into a retailer’s site to start shopping, go to Rakuten and activate the Cash Back link so your purchase qualifies.
- Watch for Rakuten promotions. Cyber Week often features extra Cash Back in select categories.
- Combine Rakuten Cash Back with coupon codes. Check Rakuten and its partners to find coupons you can stack with Cash Back.
- Keep track of the Cash Back schedule. Some retailers will credit your Cash Back instantly, while others won’t offer it until after verification or the return period expires.
Final Thoughts
Cyber Monday has matured into a cornerstone of the online holiday shopping calendar. By planning ahead and leveraging smart shopping strategies (hello, Rakuten Cash Back!), you’ll be well positioned to get top value on all your purchases. With discounts in top categories such as electronics, home goods and fashion, Cyber Monday offers both opportunity and competition. Plan ahead, act early and shop smart to maximize your savings. Happy deal-hunting!