Biggest Sales of the Year: Ultimate Guide to Shopping Events and Savings

Ever noticed how the mall practically explodes every November? Some folks are camped on sidewalks, coffee in hand, ready to speed-walk right through those automatic doors. Others are staring down at their phones, finger hovering over the 'add to cart' button like it’s a game show buzzer. But here’s what’s wild: there’s not just one sale that claims the crown—there’s a royal rumble for the title of “biggest sale of the year,” and it’s big business. Billions of dollars change hands in just a few day’s time. But which sale actually wins out—and how do you snag the best deal, not just get lured in by marketing hype? Let’s unpack what makes a sale truly massive, and how to strategize so you don’t end up with a closet full of stuff you regret.

Which Sales Top the Charts?

Terms like “biggest sale of the year” get thrown around so much, it’s like every store is competing in an Olympic event: most signs, most hype, most doorbusters. But if you follow the data, Black Friday takes the top spot in North America. In Canada and the United States, it’s almost a national holiday (even though it isn’t officially). According to Statista and the Retail Council of Canada, Black Friday regularly sees record sales, both online and in-store. In 2023, U.S. shoppers spent $9.8 billion just online. Canadian retailers report similar surges—last year, traffic jumped by 27% compared to the rest of November.

No surprise, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day are close contenders. Cyber Monday’s pure online focus makes it the digital twin of Black Friday. It’s fueled by FOMO (fear of missing out) and the dread of facing crowds. In fact, Cyber Monday 2023 in the U.S. saw $12.4 billion in online transactions, making it the single biggest e-commerce day in history. Boxing Day, which has a cult following in Canada and the UK, still holds nostalgia for those post-Christmas markdowns—even though its relevance is slipping a bit with Black Friday’s rise north of the border.

More recently, Amazon Prime Day has thrown its hat in the ring. In its 2024 run, it generated over $12.7 billion worldwide. But here’s the catch: it’s exclusive, and smaller retailers often join with “competing” sales. Singles’ Day in China towers above even these numbers and is slowly seeping into Western e-commerce, but for sheer volume and participation, Black Friday is king in most of North America. That doesn’t mean it’s always the best time for every single product, though, so let’s talk about timing.

Why These Sales Matter (Beyond Just Savings)

When you think of the biggest sale of the year, it’s tempting to picture just the price tags. But behind those deals is a game of psychology and logistics. Retailers wait all year to clear out inventory before the holidays, and shoppers are primed for discounts by weeks of advertising. But it’s not all good news. About 40% of what people buy during huge sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday ends up returned or unused. Plenty of shoppers admit to impulse buys, drawn in by limited-time-only or “lowest price ever” tactics.

But the upside is massive, especially for families on a budget or anyone wanting to stretch their dollar. Stores compete so hard for your cash that you’ll find lower prices on electronics, appliances, home goods, and winter clothing than almost any other time of year. In fact, according to Deloitte’s holiday survey, 63% of people plan out purchases for months in advance to pounce on the biggest December and November sales. So, if you’re patient—and not easily swayed by flashy snapshots—you can get real value.

Here’s another perk: some brands, especially online, roll out exclusive bonus perks like free shipping, loyalty points, early access for subscribers, or even door-buster ‘mystery’ gifts. It’s not just about markdowns; retailers are eager to build long-term relationships and pack your email inbox with deals all year round. That’s the dark side, too—if you don’t unsubscribe, your willpower gets tested right into January and beyond.

When to Find the Best Deals — and for What

Not all sales are created equal. Think you’ll find the best deal on a TV at Black Friday? Possibly. Want the rock-bottom price on winter gear? Maybe wait for Boxing Day, when stores are clearing everything they didn’t sell during gift season. Here’s a breakdown of what actually goes on sale during each major event, based on real shopping data.

• Black Friday (late November): Huge discounts on electronics, small appliances, video games, and smart home gadgets. Laptops, big-screen TVs, headphones, and kitchen gear tend to be at some of their lowest prices. Brands like Apple, Samsung, and Sony all play the game. Clothing and shoes are common deals too, but fashion-focused sales often lag behind electronics deals in terms of savings.
• Cyber Monday (Monday after Black Friday): If you missed an in-store Black Friday deal, Cyber Monday usually brings similar or sometimes even lower discounts—especially on beauty products, subscription boxes, and fashion brands that operate online. Many laptops and computer accessories drop lower after Black Friday because of remaining inventory.
• Boxing Day (December 26): Canada’s showstopper. Out-of-season fashion, leftover holiday decorations, sporting goods, and winter clothing clear fast. Major retailers like Hudson’s Bay, Best Buy, and Canadian Tire roll out deep markdowns, especially in brick-and-mortar stores. Some tech deals resurface, but it’s more mismatch than Black Friday’s coordinated blitz.
• Prime Day (mid-July, random stretch): Only for Amazon Prime members, but you’ll see electronics, small appliances, and smart home gear get slashed. Smaller retailers try to ride the wave with “anti-Prime” sales on their own platforms.
• Singles’ Day (November 11): Mostly an Asian spectacle, but big e-commerce players like AliExpress ship almost worldwide with huge discounts. It’s more niche in Canada but growing fast, especially for clothing and gadgets.

Monthly markdown cycles matter, too. For example, mattresses go on sale in May. Patio furniture? August. While the winter holiday rush gets most of the publicity, smaller seasonal sales can be the secret weapon for savvy shoppers trying to save throughout the year.

How to Maximize Savings During Major Shopping Events

Timing is crucial, but so is your strategy. Anyone can click “buy now,” but the real savings go to folks who plan ahead and don’t get overwhelmed by the pressure. Here are some tricks I swear by, and the research backs them up:

• Make a wish list in advance: If you fill your cart ahead of time, you’ll avoid getting distracted by flashy, time-sensitive deals that add up fast and bring on the regret later.
• Set a strict budget: Decide the most you want to spend, and stick to it. The average Canadian shopper spent about $273 on Black Friday weekend 2023, which sounds doable—unless you’re sucked into big-ticket electronics.
• Take advantage of price tracking tools: Apps like Honey, CamelCamelCamel, and RetailMeNot can show you historical pricing, set alerts, and serve up coupons for extra discounts on top of sale prices.
• Sign up for newsletters: Retailers often grant early access and sneak peeks to email subscribers. Just unsubscribe right after the event if your resolve is weak.
• Compare in-store and online deals: Sometimes, a deal is only valid in one place. In Canada, many major stores now “price match” both locally and nationally, so don’t be afraid to ask customer service what your options are.
• Check return policies before buying: Sale items are sometimes final sale, or their return options are limited. Snap a photo of receipts or keep email confirmations handy in case of any headaches later.

If you want to have some fun with numbers, take a look at this:

Sticking to these strategies matters when you see that the average discount offered during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales is roughly 25% off regular price, but some items drop as much as 50% or more. Not every “sale” sticker is what it seems, though—researchers at the University of Toronto found that about 15% of deals are only slightly better than their pre-sale price, so use those tracking tools to double-check before the dopamine rush hits.

Beyond the Hype: The Smart Approach to Massive Sales

Even if your calendar is marked for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Boxing Day, the hype can easily overshadow careful shopping. Retailers count on sheer volume, especially now that ‘early access’ pushes the sales window back to mid-November, or even earlier for loyal customers. So, how do you keep a clear head?

• Avoid “doorbuster” tunnel vision: The most dramatic markdowns are often in extremely limited quantity, or on last year’s models. If you see that a store is down to just a few in stock—or they’re selling at midnight—chances are it’s not worth losing sleep or battling a crowd.
• Double-check the fine print: Some discounts require you to buy bundles, or only apply to specific colors / models. Online flash sales can be especially tricky like this.
• Remember shipping and taxes: Bigger carts can mean bigger additional charges. A $99 item might become $120 or more after tax and delivery, especially on cross-border online shops!
• Keep your receipts and track your spending: Most returns spike after huge events, so that post-sale period can get busy and slow down refunds.
• Look for “stackable” savings: Combination codes, credit card offers, or in-app discounts can sometimes stack on top of listed sales if you read the conditions carefully.

The thrill is real—that shot of adrenaline when you finally score something for way less than sticker price. Black Friday and Cyber Monday, in particular, still reign as the biggest contenders for best all-around sales, especially here in North America. But the secret? Don’t shop just because it’s on sale—shop because it’s the right time for what you actually need, with a bit of research in your pocket. There’s no medal for emptying your bank account, but there’s something satisfying about snagging a true bargain and walking away with zero shopper’s remorse.