Blog Thread
- Ken Uchikura Newsletter Vol. 313 Happy Thanksgiving! The Holiday Sales Season Has Begun in the U.S.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States. It’s a day when families and friends gather to enjoy a festive meal, often featuring turkey as the centerpiece. And as soon as Thanksgiving is over, the largest shopping season of the year officially begins!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, marked by massive sales at shopping malls and online stores. Following closely, the Monday after Thanksgiving is Cyber Monday, focusing on online shopping deals.
In recent years, some shopping malls have started their sales right at midnight after Thanksgiving. After enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, many people head to the malls to participate in these late-night sales. It’s not uncommon to see long lines forming, even in the middle of the night, as shoppers try to snag popular items.
Then vs. Now: Changing Christmas Shopping Trends
In the past, many stores would hold sales and remain open even on Christmas Day. However, as the culture of prioritizing family time has grown stronger, more stores now choose to close on Christmas.
For example, Costco designates Christmas Day as a complete holiday, giving employees time to spend with their families. Similarly, major retailers like Target and Best Buy increasingly close their doors to celebrate the occasion.
On the other hand, online shops remain available even on Christmas Day, offering a convenient option for those who may have forgotten to buy a gift or are looking to treat themselves after the holiday.
Hot Deals to Look Out For
Impact in Japan
In recent years, more shoppers from Japan have been taking advantage of these sales. Many U.S. online stores now offer international shipping, allowing Japanese customers to purchase discounted items directly. However, it’s important to be mindful of shipping fees and customs duties.
Interestingly, we're also starting to see Japanese stores holding their own Black Friday sales despite Thanksgiving being a U.S. holiday.
Thanksgiving is a day for showing gratitude to family and friends, but the day after is often about finding the good deals and treating oneself. Do you have anything you have your eyes on for this year’s sales?
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and an exciting shopping season!