Cyber Monday: How an Online Shopping Phenomenon Took Over the Holidays

November 30, 2024: What Is Cyber Monday and When Is It Celebrated?
Cyber Monday is an annual online shopping event that caters to those who prefer holiday deals without the hassle of crowded stores. It is the digital counterpart to Black Friday and highlights exclusive online discounts. Celebrated on the Monday after Thanksgiving, this event has become a staple of the holiday shopping season.

In 2023, Cyber Monday fell on November 27, while in 2024, it will take place on December 2. It is part of a broader shopping timeline that includes Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to charitable giving.

The Origins of Cyber Monday
The term “Cyber Monday” was coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation as a marketing strategy to promote online shopping. It emerged during a period when e-commerce was rapidly growing but was still dwarfed by in-store shopping events like Black Friday.

Cyber Monday is now seen as the online equivalent of Black Friday and has grown into one of the biggest online shopping days of the year, with retailers offering exclusive digital deals.

What Does “Cyber” Mean?
The prefix cyber has roots in the word cybernetics, introduced in the 1940s by scientist Norbert Wiener. Cybernetics refers to the study of mechanical and electronic systems designed to mimic human behavior. The term stems from the Greek word kybernḗtēs, meaning “helmsman” or “steersman.”

Over time, cyber- evolved to refer to anything related to computers, networks, or virtual reality. The first recorded usage of the prefix in modern contexts was in 1961 in the Wall Street Journal, describing the Cybertron, a machine capable of learning as it worked. The term cyberspace gained popularity in the 1980s thanks to novelist William Gibson, who used it in his works to describe a virtual, interconnected digital world.

Cyber Monday’s Legacy and the Evolution of Online Shopping
Since its inception, Cyber Monday has become a cornerstone of the holiday shopping season, adapting to changes in technology and consumer habits. Today, terms with the cyber- prefix—such as cybersecurity, cybercrime, and cyberspace—are deeply ingrained in the digital age.

Whether you embrace the convenience of online shopping or miss the in-person experience, Cyber Monday has undeniably shaped the retail landscape. As technologies continue to evolve, we may see even more innovations that redefine the cyber shopping experience.

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