Difference between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day and Amazon Prime Day
While each savings event is similar — convince shoppers to buy, buy, buy! — the timing, focus and appeal for each is slightly different. For instance, Amazon Prime Day is a global event but it’s fueled by one online retail giant, Amazon. Compare this to Boxing Day, a sales event that is really only found in Canada and the UK, as well as a few other (but not many!) countires, like Australia and New Zealand..
Knowing what sets each of these sales apart – from exclusive deals for Amazon Prime members to the post-Christmas clearance bonanza – can transform your shopping experience.
To help, here’s a quick breakdown of the biggest shopping events for Canadian shoppers, along with some tips and tricks on how to navigate and plan your purchases with confidence.
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1. Amazon Prime Day
- When: Typically in July (though timing can vary and October dates can also pop up).
- What: An exclusive shopping event for Amazon Prime members.
- Focus: Discounts primarily on Amazon-branded products (e.g., Echo devices, Fire tablets) and deals across various categories like tech, home goods and fashion.
- Sales Strategy:
- Heavy emphasis on lightning deals and exclusive Prime member discounts.
- Encourages Amazon Prime subscriptions.
- Canadian Relevance: Increasingly popular due to the growing number of Amazon Prime users. It competes with summer sales from other retailers.
2. Black Friday
- When: The Friday following American Thanksgiving (late November).
- What: Marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.
- Focus: Known for massive in-store and online discounts across all categories, especially big-ticket items like electronics and appliances.
- Sales Strategy:
- Doorbuster deals to attract crowds.
- Deep discounts on high-demand products.
- Canadian Relevance: Black Friday has grown in prominence in Canada in recent years, rivaling Boxing Day as the year's top shopping event. Cross-border shopping (physical and online) further boosts its significance.
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Start Trading Today3. Cyber Monday
- When: The Monday following Black Friday.
- What: Originally focused on online sales, now an extension of Black Friday.
- Focus: Discounts on tech, electronics and online-only deals.
- Sales Strategy:
- Online-exclusive offers, often targeting younger, tech-savvy shoppers.
- Retailers extend Black Friday deals or launch new promotions.
- Canadian Relevance: Popular among Canadian shoppers due to the convenience of online shopping and significant deals from both Canadian and US retailers.
4. Boxing Day
- When: December 26th (the day after Christmas).
- What: Traditionally a Canadian and UK retail holiday featuring post-Christmas clearance sales.
- Focus: Discounts on leftover holiday inventory, with deals across electronics, home goods and apparel.
- Sales Strategy:
- Offers the year's deepest discounts on remaining stock.
- Attracts shoppers with both in-store and online sales.
- Canadian Relevance: Once the premier shopping day in Canada, it now faces competition from Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, it remains important for post-Christmas bargain hunters.
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Summary
- Best for Amazon Shoppers: Prime Day
- Best for Pre-Holiday Savings: Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- Best for Post-Holiday Deals: Boxing Day
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Get A QuoteKey differences between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day and Amazon Prime Day
| Event | Timing | Focus | Sales style | Canadian importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Day | Mid-year | Amazon-centric, online-exclusive | Lightning deals, tech-heavy | Growing but niche |
| Black Friday | Late November | Holiday shopping kickoff | Big-ticket items, doorbusters | Major, rivals Boxing Day |
| Cyber Monday | Late November | Clearance sales | Tech-focused, digital-only | Increasingly popular |
| Boxing Day | Post-Christmas | Clearance sales | In-store/online clearance | Traditional but declining |
Bottom line
Whether you're hunting for holiday gifts, upgrading your gadgets, or snagging off-season bargains, these sales events offer something special for every shopper.
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