When is Cyber Monday 2020 - and when do brand deals launch?

What started as an American tradition has infiltrated the UK, and now shoppers across the country look forward to the Cyber Monday sales every year.

The shopping bonanza, which follows Black Friday, has become a calendar staple for those looking to get the best deals and discounts before Christmas.

Last year, Brits spent an eye-watering £2.6 billion during the Cyber Monday sales.

So what is Cyber Monday, when do the sales start in 2020 and which brands are taking part this year?

We’ve put together everything you need to know - happy shopping!

What is Cyber Monday?

Occurring on the Monday after the Black Friday sales, Cyber Monday first began in the US back in 2005.

It’s effectively an extension of the Black Friday weekend discount period but takes place online.

Cyber Monday was initially started to encourage consumers to support smaller online retailers, but now all the well-known retail giants participate as well.

Big brands often slash their prices further on the Monday, allowing savvy shoppers to bag a bargain on a range of products, from electricals and technology to fashion and beauty.

Customers will often find price cuts on the latest smartphones and games consoles, as well as new-season clothing items and the most recent make-up drops.

Last year’s online sales were the biggest yet, and shopping experts are predicting that this time round there will be even more discounts due to coronavirus restrictions hindering people from physically going to shops.

When does Cyber Monday 2020 start?

Black Friday takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in America, with Cyber Monday happening the following Monday.

As Black Friday lands on 27 November this year, Cyber Monday will be 30 November.

However, each year brands are slashing prices earlier, with many retailers launching preliminary discounts a week before Black Friday and continuing sales past Cyber Monday.

Popular deals do sell out, though, so you need to pick your shopping time wisely.

What retailers are taking part in Cyber Monday?

The following big online brands are planning to slash their prices over the Cyber Monday weekend:

ArgosAmazonASOSBootsCurrys PC WorldGAMEJohn LewisLookfantasticSuperdrugVery

Amazon, which often leads the sales, has said its Cyber Monday deals will begin on 28 November and last for 72 hours straight.

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the major sale extravaganza that occurs before Cyber Monday.

Although it’s well-established as the best day of the year to cash in on some pre-Christmas bargains, many shoppers don’t know the meaning behind the term.

A common assumption is that it comes from shops going from “the red” into “the black” due to a boost in profits, but it was the police who first associated the term with the post-Thanksgiving sales.

In the 1950s, crowds of shoppers visited Philadelphia following Thanksgiving due to the annual Army-Navy american football match.

This led to busier shops, an increase in shoplifters and a huge workload for officers as they had to work overtime to control the crowds.

They started to refer to the day as “Black Friday” due to the carnage caused.

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