Black Friday Cyber Monday in Australia: What It Means for 2025 

When you hear Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM), you might think it’s not relevant. That’s a mistake. Here in Australia, BFCM is no longer just an imported trend – it’s become one of the biggest moments in the retail calendar. 

In 2024, Australians spent billions across the BFCM weekend, with Shopify reporting local merchants up 14% year-on-year and categories like fashion, beauty, and homewares leading the charge. For many Aussies, BFCM has become the unofficial kickoff to Christmas shopping – and for businesses, it’s a huge opportunity (and challenge) to get right. 

Let’s dive a little deeper. 

Do Australians Actually Care About BFCM? 

Yes. 

Australian shoppers have embraced BFCM in a big way. We now rank as one of the top countries globally for BFCM spend. Average cart sizes are climbing, and consumers are actively planning their purchases in advance. 

But there are nuances: 

• Timing is shifting – many shoppers start buying in the lead-up, not just on the day. 

• There are clear category winners – fashion, beauty, and electronics dominate. 

• Value matters – with cost-of-living pressures, Aussies are increasingly discerning. They’ll chase meaningful deals, not just headline “discount” stickers. 

The key is deciding whether BFCM aligns with your brand strategy and your offerings, not just jumping on the discount bandwagon. 

The Challenges of BFCM in Australia 

BFCM isn’t all shiny goodness. Businesses often underestimate the operational strain. 

• Inventory pressure: Stock shortages can create frustrated customers. 

• Website performance: Slow load times or crashes drive shoppers elsewhere. 

• Discount fatigue: Every brand is screaming “SALE” – cutting through the noise is hard. 

• Returns & logistics: The post-BFCM period often brings a surge in returns. 

• Brand dilution: Going too heavy on discounting can erode long-term positioning. 

Planning for these challenges is as important as crafting a clever campaign. 

Here’s what works in the Australian market right now: 

1. Start early – tease campaigns, create waitlists, or launch VIP pre-sales before the weekend. 

1. Segment and personalise – tailor offers to customer behaviour. Past buyers want different deals than first-timers. 

1. Add value beyond discounts – bundles, gift sets, free upgrades, or exclusive drops. 

1. Omnichannel integration – align online deals with in-store experiences. 

1. Mobile-first checkouts – most BFCM traffic is on mobile; streamline the journey. 

1. Be clear on shipping – highlight Christmas cut-offs and delivery guarantees. 

1. Think retention – plan how you’ll convert one-off BFCM buyers into repeat customers. 

Should You Jump In? 

The businesses that succeed are the ones who: 

• Prepare early. 

• Use data to personalise offers. 

• Balance discounts with brand value. 

• Treat BFCM as the start of a relationship with new customers – not just a weekend transaction. 

Make the decision intentionally to scale with sales, and acquire new audiences – or sit out the frenzy and focus on more strategic campaigns.

If this year’s BFCM felt like a missed opportunity, now’s the time to plan for 2026.

Let’s build a strategy that gets your brand ready — before the rush begins.
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