BFCM: What It Means and Why It Matters

Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) has evolved into the most anticipated shopping event globally, presenting a golden opportunity for eCommerce businesses to boost sales and expand their customer base.

Understanding what BFCM means and how to prepare effectively for the Black Friday weekend can be the key to your business's success during this critical holiday shopping season.

What Is BFCM?

Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) refers to the shopping period that begins the Friday after U.S. Thanksgiving and extends through Cyber Monday. Many brands now run Early Black Friday and Cyber Week promotions, making the event a 10–14-day revenue window for most ecommerce stores.

BFCM 2025 Dates

Friday, November 28 – Monday, December 1, 2025
With early discounting trends, many retailers start promotions as early as mid-November.

A Brief History: How BFCM Became a Global Shopping Event

Black Friday Origins

Black Friday began as an in-store retail surge in the U.S., historically associated with holiday shopping and steep, doorbuster-style discounts.

Cyber Monday Emerges

As ecommerce took hold, Cyber Monday appeared in 2005 as a way for online stores to compete with brick-and-mortar retailers.

The Merge Into BFCM

By the mid-2010s, the two events converged into a single extended shopping season, fueled by:

• Global ecommerce adoption
• Mobile-first shopping
• Faster shipping and fulfillment
• Increased competition on digital channels

Today, BFCM is a worldwide phenomenon — even in countries that do not celebrate Thanksgiving.

What is the BFCM Meaning?

BFCM stands for Black Friday Cyber Monday, a major shopping event from the Friday after Thanksgiving through the following Monday.

For eCommerce businesses, BFCM represents the most crucial period for driving significant sales and reaching new customers.

The event is synonymous with deep discounts, exclusive BFCM deals, and an increase in both online and in-store traffic.

Why BFCM Matters for Your Business

BFCM 2025 is set to be bigger than ever, with consumers increasingly turning to online platforms for deals and holiday shopping.

Here are 3 reasons why BFCM should be a top priority:

Increased sales

Consumer spending skyrockets during this period, substantially boosting revenue. According to Adobe's 2025 Holiday Shopping Report, total seasonal spending this year is forecasted to reach a total of $253.4 billion, with mobile spending making up over 56% at $142.7 billion.

Customer acquisition

BFCM provides an excellent opportunity to attract new customers who might not otherwise discover your brand. For example, last year Shopify merchants collected over $11 billion during BFCM last year, up 24% from 2023.

Brand visibility

The high traffic during BFCM can significantly increase your brand's exposure if you implement effective retail marketing strategies.

E-Commerce in BFCM

The rise of eCommerce has transformed Black Friday/Cyber Monday into a digital shopping phenomenon.

While traditional in-store Black Friday crowds remain strong, more shoppers are turning to online channels for BFCM deals.

This shift is driven by convenience, access to a wider variety of products, and the ability to compare prices instantly.

Having an optimized online store is now essential for maximizing BFCM sales.

As BFCM 2025 approaches, every eCommerce store must prioritize strategy and performance to compete effectively.

Preparing for BFCM: Key Steps

To ensure your eCommerce store is ready for BFCM, focus on these essentials:

Optimize your website

Ensure your site can handle increased traffic, loads quickly, and provides a seamless checkout process.

Create irresistible deals

Plan your discounts and offers in advance. Exclusive BFCM deals encourage loyalty and conversions.

Develop a strong marketing plan

Build urgency with Black Friday countdown timers, flash sales, and targeted campaigns.

Be active on social media

Use visuals and high-engagement platforms like Instagram. Buy Instagram followers to expand reach and visibility.

BFCM Strategies for Small Businesses

Small businesses can compete effectively during BFCM by offering unique products and personalized services.

Start promotions early

Build anticipation with pre-BFCM deals.

Use retargeting ads

Keep potential customers engaged with follow-up promotions.

Create an email campaign

Send personalized emails featuring your best offers as part of a Cyber Monday marketing strategy.

BFCM Marketing: Beyond Sales

While sales are the primary focus, don’t overlook the long-term benefits of a well-designed Black Friday marketing strategy:

Customer insights

Gather valuable data for future campaigns.

Personalization

Use BFCM data to create more targeted, engaging messages year-round.

Why BFCM 2025 Will Break Records

Source: Fit Small Business

BFCM 2025 is expected to surpass previous years in both in-store and online sales.

• In 2024, there were 81.7 million people shopping in-store and a record 87.3 million shopping online.
• The total BFCM period last year exceeded expectations and expert forecasting by 5.5% and this year is poised for another 10.2% jump.

Common BFCM Mistakes to Avoid

Many stores damage their profitability by planning poorly. Watch out for:

Over-discounting

Protect margins by calculating minimum viable pricing.

Inventory Mismanagement

Running out of stock early or overselling creates support load and negative reviews.

Website Crashes

Prepare hosting and test capacity.

Poor Fulfillment Planning

Shipping delays can destroy post-BFCM customer satisfaction.

Ignoring Post-Purchase Upsells

A huge amount of revenue potential is lost without:

• Thank-you page offers
• Email upsells
• Replenishment reminders

Global BFCM Considerations

If you sell outside the U.S., consider:

Local Payment Methods

European and LATAM shoppers often use region-specific payment solutions.

Shipping & Tax

Set earlier cutoff dates for international deliveries.

Multi-Currency Pricing

Use rounded, localized pricing to increase trust.

Time Zone Scheduling

Launch campaigns in regional waves, not only U.S. time.

How POWR Tools Support a High-Converting BFCM

POWR apps can help merchants convert more traffic during peak shopping periods.

Use POWR to:

• Capture leads (Forms, Popups)
• Build urgency (Countdown Timer)
• Increase AOV (Product Add-Ons, Upsells)
• Improve trust (Reviews, Comment)
• Reduce abandonment (Exit-Intent Popups)

Add these to your store at least 2–4 weeks before BFCM.

FAQ: BFCM

Conclusion

BFCM is no longer just a weekend — it is a global, weeks-long opportunity for small businesses and ecommerce brands to maximize revenue, bring in new customers, and strengthen long-term loyalty. With early preparation and a strong onsite experience, even small teams can compete with bigger brands.

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About the Author

Mick Essex is the Head of Growth Marketing at POWR. POWR creates no-code apps and plugins for eCommerce shop owners worldwide.

Mick's career spans two decades in growth marketing and advertising, with experience in broadcast television, healthcare, and editing.

He studied at the University of Louisiana–Monroe’s College of Journalism and lives in Chattanooga, TN, with his wife Elizabeth, son Gavin, and dog Jolene.