As Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) draw near, it’s time to gear up and get ready for one of the biggest shopping frenzies of the year. With a record-setting 73.1 million people shopping online last Cyber Monday (compared to 20.9 million in-store), it’s clear where the action is. Let’s dive into six crucial things to keep in mind to make sure your BFCM is as fruitful as can be, both online and in-store.
🦃 Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 28, 2024
🛍️ Black Friday: Friday, November 29, 2024
📦 Cyber Monday:Monday, December 2, 2024
Last year, shoppers were quicker than ever to hit the “Buy” button. With a shorter holiday season this year (just 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas), it’s crucial to kick off your BFCM promotions earlier than you might have planned. This year, the competition will be fiercer than ever, and early movers will have the edge. Get those sales started before your competitors even have a chance to set up their first promotion. Tease your offers now, ramp up the excitement, and give shoppers something to look forward to long before the main event.
Google Search trends showed that last year, people were Googling “Cyber Monday” as early as October. So, don’t wait until the day itself to make your mark. Start planting those seeds early with teaser campaigns and pre-BFCM offers. Be where your customers are searching—whether it’s in their search results or their social media feeds. The early bird might not always get the worm, but they do get a head start on the shopping action!
Cyber Monday 2023 was digital madness, with online sales hitting a whopping $12.4 billion . But here’s a fun fact: desktop users had a higher conversion rate (6.9%) compared to mobile users (3.5%). While mobile shopping is still going strong, don’t forget to make sure your website is a sleek, speedy machine on both desktop and mobile. A smooth, seamless experience can turn those browsing sessions into completed sales. And hey, no one’s got time for slow-loading pages—give your customers the speed they need and keep them coming back for more!
Here’s a little tip from us: offering click-and-collect or buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) can work wonders. It’s a win-win for both you and your customers. They get the convenience of online shopping and the instant gratification of picking up their goodies in person. And you get to see those happy faces walk into your store—maybe even resulting in some additional impulse buys. Have your cake and eat it too.
Cyber Monday shoppers last year weren’t shy about spending, with nearly a third dropping $200 or more. But to truly make a mark, ensure your loyalty program is front and center. This is your chance to roll out the red carpet for your best customers. Offer exclusive deals, extra rewards, and personalized offers that make them feel like royalty. Turn your loyalty program into a holiday highlight that keeps them coming back not just for BFCM but all year round. The more special you make their shopping experience, the more they’ll appreciate it—and the more they’ll spend!
BFCM and the holiday season are perfect times to learn what worked and what didn’t. Track your strategies and outcomes carefully—notes, screenshots, and all. These insights will help you refine your approach for next year, making your 2025 BFCM even better.
Wrapping it up
So there you have it—six tips to make your BFCM as fantastic as it can be. Start early, ride the search trend wave, optimize your digital storefront, embrace flexible fulfillment, and make your loyalty program shine. With these strategies in your toolkit, you’re all set to turn this BFCM into a holiday season for the books. Here’s to a season of happy shoppers and record-breaking sales!
Stats have been referenced from studies and statistics conducted by: National Retail Federation (2023), Adobe,(2024b,2024a), NielsenIQ(2023)
Our all-in-one, AI-driven loyalty and marketing platform reshapes the way thousands of businesses engage and reward customers.
Designed to amplify customer engagement and fortify retention and acquisition efforts, Kangaroo empowers your loyalty program from start to finish.
Book your demo and get started today🎈