As has become tradition not only in the United States but worldwide, the last Friday of November marks the start of the holiday shopping season and the celebration of Black Friday, a day when both physical and online stores launch discounts and promotions to kick off the campaign.
“This year, Black Friday will be celebrated on November 27.”
Many even start their offers earlier and run them throughout the week or month to boost sales. And after Black Friday, which this year will be on November 27, comes Cyber Monday on Monday, November 30, also with numerous discounts, especially in online stores.
There’s no doubt that Black Friday 2020 will be special. The coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures imposed in many countries will undoubtedly lead to increased online shopping for the holiday season.
That’s why sales are expected to grow considerably on Black Friday. According to Google data, online sales have already increased by 23% compared to the previous year, and online product searches have risen by 20% compared to pre-COVID times.
With these figures, it’s logical to think that the next Black Friday will see the highest online sales in history. Google’s published data confirms this: 40% of users surveyed by the search engine say they will or might shop during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period.
Additionally, 74% admit they will start holiday shopping earlier to avoid crowds when they have no choice but to visit physical stores. This won’t be the only widespread safety measure. 64% say they will be cautious and optimize their trips to shop, reducing the risk of contagion.
As for product categories, there are few changes: 32% will buy fashion and accessories, 26% will purchase electronics, and 24% will invest in culture. These categories have traditionally generated the most sales on Black Friday. However, significant growth is also expected in food and other basic necessities.
