Breaking Records: The Biggest Sales Days and Deals in Business History

Businesses are always looking for ways to make a profit, and one of the easiest ways to do that is through sales. But not all sales are created equal. Some days and deals in business history have broken records and set new standards for what's possible. Here are some of the biggest sales days and deals in business history.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the most well-known sales days in the world. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, and it marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season in the United States. Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving, and it's a day when online retailers offer huge discounts.

In 2019, Black Friday sales in the United States reached a record $7.4 billion, up 19.6% from the previous year. Cyber Monday sales in the United States reached a record $9.4 billion, up 19.7% from the previous year. These two days have become so popular that many retailers now offer deals throughout the entire week, known as Cyber Week.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day is a relatively new sales day, but it has quickly become one of the biggest. It started in 2015 as a way to celebrate Amazon's 20th anniversary, and it has since become an annual event. Amazon Prime Day is exclusively for Prime members, and it offers huge discounts on a wide range of products.

In 2019, Amazon Prime Day sales reached an estimated $7.9 billion globally, up from $4.2 billion in 2018. This made it the biggest shopping event in Amazon's history.

Alibaba's Singles Day

Singles Day is a Chinese holiday that celebrates being single, and it falls on November 11th every year. In 2009, Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, started offering discounts on Singles Day. It quickly became the biggest online shopping day in the world, surpassing Cyber Monday and Black Friday in the United States.

In 2019, Alibaba's Singles Day sales reached a record $38.4 billion, up 26% from the previous year. This made it the biggest shopping day in history, beating out Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.

Walmart's Acquisition of Flipkart

In 2018, Walmart made its biggest acquisition ever when it bought a 77% stake in Flipkart, an Indian e-commerce company. The deal was worth $16 billion, and it gave Walmart access to one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the world.

This deal was significant because it showed that traditional retailers like Walmart were willing to invest heavily in e-commerce to stay competitive. It also signaled a shift in the global retail landscape, with e-commerce becoming more dominant.

Disney's Acquisition of 21st Century Fox

In 2019, Disney completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, one of the biggest media companies in the world. The deal was worth $71.3 billion, and it gave Disney control of Fox's movie and television studios, as well as its cable networks.

This deal was significant because it consolidated power in the media industry, with Disney becoming even more dominant. It also signaled a trend towards consolidation in the entertainment industry, with companies looking to acquire content and distribution capabilities.

These are just a few of the biggest sales days and deals in business history. They show that when it comes to making money, there are no limits. As technology continues to advance and the global economy becomes more interconnected, we can expect even bigger sales days and deals in the future.