Green monday

What Is Green Monday?

Green Monday is a significant online shopping day that occurs annually on the second Monday of December, marking one of the busiest retail sales days of the Holiday Season in the United States. It falls approximately two weeks before Christmas, serving as a crucial period for last-minute gift purchases before standard shipping deadlines for guaranteed holiday delivery. This event is a key component within the broader Retail Industry and E-commerce landscape, driving substantial Consumer Spending. The term "Green" in Green Monday is widely understood to refer to the significant amount of money retailers earn on this day, highlighting its profitability.

History and Origin

The term "Green Monday" was coined by eBay (or its subsidiary Shopping.com) in 2007. The Online Shopping giant observed a consistent surge in sales on the second Monday of December, identifying it as one of its most profitable sales days of the year³⁸. This day typically represented the last opportunity for shoppers to place online orders with standard shipping and still receive them before Christmas³⁵, ³⁶, ³⁷. Recognizing this organic trend in Consumer Behavior, eBay formally named it Green Monday to capitalize on the late-season shopping rush, and the designation has since been adopted by numerous other retailers³³, ³⁴.

Key Takeaways

• Green Monday is the second Monday of December, serving as a peak day for online holiday shopping.³¹, ³²
• It was coined by eBay in 2007 to mark one of its most lucrative sales days.²⁹, ³⁰
• The day is characterized by last-minute deals and promotions as consumers aim to finalize their holiday gift lists before shipping cutoffs.²⁶, ²⁷, ²⁸
• Green Monday typically ranks among the top online shopping days of the year, alongside Black Friday and Cyber Monday.²⁴, ²⁵

Interpreting Green Monday

Green Monday is primarily interpreted as a signal for urgency and a final major opportunity for both consumers and retailers during the holiday period. For shoppers, it represents one of the last chances to secure gifts at discounted prices and ensure timely delivery for Christmas, often avoiding the need for expedited shipping. For businesses, Green Monday is a critical day to boost sales figures, manage Inventory Management, and meet end-of-year revenue targets. Retailers leverage this day with targeted Sales Promotions and Digital Marketing campaigns, using the impending shipping deadlines as a strong call to action.

Hypothetical Example

Consider "TechGadget Inc.," an online electronics retailer. As the second Monday in December approaches, TechGadget Inc. analyzes its remaining stock using Market Analysis tools and identifies several popular items that still have substantial inventory. To maximize sales on Green Monday, they decide to offer a 20% discount on all wireless headphones and a "buy one, get one 50% off" deal on smart home devices. Their marketing team sends out email newsletters and runs social media ads emphasizing "Last Chance for Christmas Delivery!" with the Green Monday deals. This strategy aims to drive a significant surge in sales as consumers rush to complete their holiday Budgeting and shopping.

Practical Applications

Green Monday holds significant practical applications across various facets of the retail and financial sectors:

• Retail Strategy: Many retailers plan specific Sales Promotions and marketing campaigns around Green Monday to capture last-minute demand and clear out seasonal inventory²², ²³. This helps optimize their Supply Chain operations.
• E-commerce Logistics: The day emphasizes the importance of efficient shipping and logistics, as consumers are driven by the need for guaranteed delivery before Christmas. Retailers often promote shipping deadlines coinciding with or shortly after Green Monday.²⁰, ²¹
• Consumer Engagement: Businesses use Green Monday to re-engage shoppers who may have missed earlier sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, or who are procrastinating on their holiday purchases. Engaging these shoppers can foster long-term Customer Loyalty.¹⁸, ¹⁹
• Performance Benchmarking: Retailers and analysts monitor Green Monday sales figures as an indicator of overall holiday spending trends and the strength of [Online Shopping]. For instance, Green Monday sales grew to $3.1 billion from 2019 to 2020, representing a 15.3% increase¹⁷. The National Retail Federation (NRF) consistently tracks and reports on holiday retail performance, with Green Monday contributing to the season's overall economic impact¹⁶.

Limitations and Criticisms

Despite its importance in the retail calendar, Green Monday faces certain limitations and criticisms. One common critique revolves around the increasing pressure on consumers to engage in [Consumer Spending], potentially leading to overspending and accumulating debt, which can impact personal [Financial Planning]. While the "green" in Green Monday has sometimes been associated with environmentally friendly practices of online shopping over physical store visits, critics argue that the environmental benefits are often negated by factors such as increased packaging waste and the carbon footprint associated with shipping and returns¹⁴, ¹⁵. Additionally, with the advent of faster shipping options and prolonged promotional periods across the entire holiday season, the distinct impact and significance of a single day like Green Monday might become diluted over time¹², ¹³. The rise of mobile shopping, which accounted for a majority of sales on events like Prime Day in 2025, also indicates a shift towards more continuous and device-driven shopping habits rather than reliance on specific "days"¹¹. Businesses must evaluate the actual Return on Investment (ROI) from dedicated Green Monday campaigns versus year-round promotional strategies.

Green Monday vs. Cyber Monday

Green Monday and Cyber Monday are both significant online shopping events during the holiday season, but they differ primarily in their timing and the urgency they impart. Cyber Monday occurs on the Monday immediately following Thanksgiving, serving as the online counterpart to Black Friday and kicking off the digital holiday shopping rush. It is widely regarded as the busiest online shopping day of the year. Green Monday, conversely, takes place later in the season, on the second Monday of December. Its timing creates a sense of last-minute urgency, targeting shoppers who are completing their holiday gift lists and need to ensure timely delivery before Christmas. While Cyber Monday often features broad discounts across many categories, Green Monday deals are specifically positioned to clear remaining inventory and cater to procrastinating buyers.

FAQs

When is Green Monday observed?

Green Monday is observed annually on the second Monday of December. The exact date changes each year but always falls within the range of December 8th to December 14th.⁹, ¹⁰

Why is it called "Green Monday"?

The "green" in Green Monday primarily refers to money or profits, indicating the significant revenue generated by retailers on this busy online shopping day. It's a lucrative day for the [Retail Industry].⁶, ⁷, ⁸

How does Green Monday benefit shoppers?

Green Monday offers shoppers a crucial opportunity to find last-minute deals and discounts on holiday gifts, ensuring their purchases arrive before Christmas without needing to pay for expensive expedited shipping. It helps consumers finalize their [Financial Planning] for holiday expenditures.³, ⁴, ⁵

Is Green Monday as big as Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

While Green Monday is one of the busiest online shopping days of the year and highly profitable, it typically generates less total sales than Black Friday or Cyber Monday. However, it remains a significant event that retailers strategically leverage.¹, ²