As the festive season approaches, the buzz around holiday shopping and Black Friday continues to grow. Retailers and investors alike gear up for one of the busiest times of the year. For 2025, both consumers and markets are presented with record-breaking numbers and strategic opportunities.
Black Friday 2025: Stock Market Schedule
Planning to trade during Black Friday 2025? Take note of the adjusted hours. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will open at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time but will close early at 1:00 p.m. Over-the-counter markets will follow this shortened timeline.
For bond traders, the schedule differs slightly with markets opening at 8:00 a.m. Eastern and closing at 2:00 p.m., providing a six-hour trading window.
Holiday Shopping Trends in 2025
The holiday shopping season runs from November 1st through December 31st, and projections for 2025 are optimistic. Adobe Analytics estimates U.S. online sales will reach a staggering $253.4 billion, reflecting a 5.3% growth year-over-year. Black Friday alone is expected to contribute $11.7 billion in sales, an 8.3% increase from 2024.
Cyber Monday: The Biggest Online Shopping Day
While Black Friday attracts in-store sales, Cyber Monday remains the crown jewel for online shopping. It’s forecasted to drive $14.2 billion in revenue, overshadowing Black Friday’s online sales by more than $2 billion.
If you’re planning to participate in these events, now is the perfect time to snag high-performance products like the Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum. This ultra-hydrating serum is just one of the top beauty items expected to be discounted heavily during Cyber Monday.
Global Market Activity
For international markets, Black Friday is a standard trading day. Exchanges like the London Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange, and Stock Exchange of Hong Kong will maintain regular hours. Additionally, services like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and most FedEx services will continue operations as usual, ensuring timely deliveries for holiday shopping orders.
Historical Gains in the S&P 500
The S&P 500 has historically performed well during the Thanksgiving-to-Black-Friday trading period. Between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and one week after Black Friday, the index has shown consistent gains. In 2024, it rose by 1.5% during this period, following gains of 0.8% in 2023 and 1.1% in 2022. However, exceptions like the pandemic in 2021 caused a downturn, emphasizing the importance of market trends and global events.
Where Did the Term ‘Black Friday’ Originate?
The term “Black Friday” was first used in Philadelphia during the mid-20th century to describe the chaotic crowds ahead of the Army-Navy football game. Over time, it evolved to reflect the heavy retail activity on the day after Thanksgiving. Interestingly, its earlier usage in 1869 described a U.S. gold market crash, but this definition has since been replaced by the retail-oriented term we associate with today.
Prepare for Holiday Shopping 2025
Whether you’re monitoring the stock market or eagerly refreshing your favorite e-commerce platform for discounts, there’s no denying the importance of preparation this holiday season. Stay ahead by planning your purchases and investments early. From in-demand beauty products to must-have tech gadgets, the 2025 holiday shopping season promises to be exciting for all.
