What Is Green Monday?
Let me explain Green Monday to you directly: it's a key term in retail that points to the second Monday in December, when you see a big surge in last-minute holiday buys and online promotions. I know from the industry's perspective that this day captures shoppers rushing for gifts and deals. It falls reliably on that second Monday each December, and eBay claims they invented the term to highlight the flood of online shoppers at that time.
Key Takeaways
Here's what you need to grasp: Green Monday lands on the second Monday in December and ranks as one of the top retail shopping days in the United States. eBay states they created the phrase back in 2007 when they noticed that specific day was among their highest for sales. Remember, the winter holiday period features the year's most lucrative retail days, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and yes, Green Monday.
Understanding Green Monday
You should know that Green Monday started with eBay, who say they came up with it in 2007 after spotting that the second Monday in December was a top earner for them. In retail terms, it's sometimes called another Cyber Monday because of the heavy online traffic from people hunting last-minute holiday bargains. The 'green' part could mean money in terms of dollars or eco-friendliness, since shopping online might beat driving to stores for the environment. While it's not as huge as Black Friday or Cyber Monday, Green Monday is gaining traction as a holiday sales indicator. Big players like Amazon and Target push it, and other stores just roll out deals to clear stock before year-end.
Important Note
Mark this down: Green Monday in 2024 is on December 9.
Green Monday vs. Other Retail Days
Green Monday hits in mid-December, right before Christmas, just a couple of weeks out. In the U.S., holiday shopping used to kick off right after Thanksgiving, with Black Friday as the traditional start where people began their gift hunts. These days, major retailers stretch sales out weeks before and after Thanksgiving. You have Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday right after that to boost local shops, and Cyber Monday on the following Monday, emphasizing online deals.
Black Friday Details
On Black Friday, retailers push discounts both online and in physical stores, often opening super early or even on Thanksgiving itself to stay competitive, with some starting deals in early November. Since many folks are off work and ready to spend, both online and brick-and-mortar spots offer special promotions. Analysts and investors often use Black Friday figures to gauge the retail sector's overall strength.
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday follows Black Friday and was launched by American Express in 2010 to support small and family-owned businesses hit hard by the financial crisis.
Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving, now a worldwide event that draws shoppers to online discounts, and in recent years, its sales have outpaced Black Friday's.
Fast Fact
The National Retail Federation forecasts that 2024 winter holiday retail sales will grow by 2.5% to 3.5% over 2023.
When Is Green Monday?
Green Monday is always the second Monday in December; for 2024, that's December 9.
When Did Green Monday Start?
The first one was in December 2007, and eBay insists they named it after realizing it was a massive sales day for them.
What Is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend, where online retailers provide discounts and traditional ones offer web-exclusive deals.
The Bottom Line
The holiday shopping rush gives retailers a major lift, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday usually leading in sales volume. But don't overlook lesser-known ones like Green Monday on the second Monday in December, which eBay reportedly established and which stands as one of the year's biggest shopping days.
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