How Australian Businesses Can Get Ready for Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are no longer just big shopping events for the US, they’ve well and truly landed in Australia. For local retailers and eCommerce stores, these massive sales days present a golden opportunity to boost revenue, clear inventory, and attract new customers just ahead of the holiday rush. But to make the most of it, a bit of preparation goes a long way.

Here at eBPak, we want to help you (especially as a business) get ready to make this year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday their best yet.

What is Black Friday & Cyber Monday, and Why Do They Matter?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest global shopping events of the year. Traditionally, Black Friday falls on the Friday after the American Thanksgiving (which is the fourth Thursday in November), with Cyber Monday following just three days later. 

In 2025, Black Friday is on the 28th November, and Cyber Monday is on 1st of December.

While these events began in the US, Aussie shoppers have embraced them enthusiastically over the past decade. According to Australia Post, online shopping surged by over 45% during the Black Friday weekend in 2020, and that trend isn’t slowing down. 

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian retail turnover rose 0.8 per cent in November 2024. Robert Ewing, Head of Business statistics, said: 

“Black Friday sales events proved once again to be a big hit, with widespread discounting and higher spending across all retail industries.”

For many shoppers, it now marks the official start of Christmas gift buying; and that means they’re ready to spend.

For Australian businesses, this is more than just a spike in traffic. It’s a chance to get ahead of the Christmas rush, win new customers, and build long-term brand loyalty. Whether you’re a bricks-and-mortar retailer, a pure-play eCommerce store, or a hybrid, there’s serious potential if you plan ahead.

Marketing Strategies That Drive Results

Your Black Friday and Cyber Monday success often comes down to the buzz you generate beforehand. The lead-up is crucial, and the right marketing strategy can create anticipation, drive traffic, and ultimately, increase conversions.

Here are a few proven tactics:

Email Campaigns

Start warming up your list early. Tease your upcoming sales with exclusive previews, countdowns, or early-bird access. Personalised emails convert well, so segment your audience and tailor your offers.

Social Media Teasers

Use free social media apps or websites  to build hype. Behind-the-scenes content, product sneak peeks, and daily deals help keep your brand top-of-mind.

Influencer Partnerships

Collaborating with micro or macro influencers can be a powerful way to tap into new audiences. Make sure they align with your brand and can genuinely promote your offers.

Urgency Tactics

Limited-time offers, flash sales, and visible countdown timers on your site can create a fear of missing out (FOMO). Just make sure your messaging is clear and the deals are genuinely good.

It's all about consistency. Start your campaigns early, build momentum, and stay engaged throughout the weekend. Don’t forget to retarget those who visit but don’t buy.

Get Your Website & Tech Ready for the Surge

There’s nothing worse than your site crashing just as people are ready to check out. Black Friday and Cyber Monday can bring a huge spike in web traffic, so it’s vital that your tech is up to the task.

Here’s what to check off your list:

Website Speed

A slow site can turn eager buyers away. Compress images, minimise plugins, and consider a content delivery network (CDN) to keep things snappy.

Mobile Optimisation

With more than half of Aussies shopping on their phones, your mobile site needs to be just as seamless (if not better) than desktop.

Smooth Checkout Flow

Make sure it’s easy to complete a purchase. Cut down unnecessary steps, offer guest checkout, and make forms user-friendly.

Prepare for Traffic Surges

Chat with your web host about expected traffic. If you're on shared hosting, it might be time to upgrade or use a cloud solution that can scale on demand.

If your site’s been due for a tune-up, now’s the time. A fast, reliable, and user-friendly website is a big part of turning browsers into buyers.

Focus on the Customer Experience

Creating a standout customer experience doesn’t have to be expensive. It's about being helpful, transparent, and easy to deal with.

At the end of the day, what keeps customers coming back is how they feel about the shopping experience. While deep discounts can get people in the door (or onto your website), it’s the overall service that earns loyalty.

Some key areas to focus on:

Flexible Payment Options

Many Aussies now expect BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) services like Afterpay, ZipPay, or Klarna, particularly during big sales events. Offering these can reduce cart abandonment and increase order value. Ensure all payment options are working by running a few test transactions well in advance.

Clear Shipping & Returns Policies

Be upfront about delivery timelines (especially if you’re offering express or Christmas delivery). A hassle-free return policy can also encourage hesitant buyers to commit.

Live Chat or Quick Support

Shoppers often have questions during a 

sale. A live chat feature, even if it’s just during peak hours, can make a big difference in customer satisfaction.

Post-Sale Communication

Keep customers informed with order updates, tracking links, and follow-up emails. This is also a great time to ask for reviews or recommend complementary products. Remember, it's the post-sale communication that can really make the difference between a one time customer and a loyal one. 

What's Better Than Strategies? Support. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are massive opportunities for Australian businesses to kick off the holiday season strongly. With smart marketing, reliable tech, and a customer-first approach, even small retailers can compete and thrive during this high-traffic period.

For packaging solutions that can handle the increased demand and help you stand out during the festive season, there’s no better way than going with eBPak. 

Whether you need eco-friendly packaging options or sleek protective packaging to enhance your product's appeal, eBPak can support your business as it prepares for one of the biggest retail periods of the year. 

Explore our full range of shipping and packaging solutions. From courier bags and envelopes to labels and consumable-specific packaging, all in one place at eBPak. Don’t wait until the last minute; get your packaging sorted now and set your business up for success.