17 November 2025  A short thought experimentImagine the early days of Black Friday: crowds outside stores, long lines, elbows out. Cyber Monday, introduced only in 2005, added a digital twin to this shopping frenzy—born from the simple observation that people returned to fast office internet after the Thanksgiving weekend. In these twenty years, online shopping turned from curiosity to default. Threats evolved too: phishing, fake shops, AI-powered scams. Yet the web also became safer thanks to encrypted connections, browser warnings, better payment protection, and stronger consumer advice.The Austrian OutlookAccording to the latest Consumer Check of the Austrian Retail Association (Handelsverband)—a voluntary, independent, non-partisan organisation representing Austria's retailers—Black Friday (28 November) and Cyber Monday (1 December) are more popular than ever. The Handelsverband surveys, supports, and researches retail trends, including consumer behaviour and digital commerce.Over 1,000 people were interviewed for the 2025 report: • 63% plan to participate in Black Week shopping. • Average spending rises to 294 euros, leading to 460 million euros in total expected expenditures—an all-time high. • Online dominates: 44% shop exclusively online, only 10% exclusively in stores. • A growing share of online spending goes abroad, especially to U.S.–based platforms and low-cost marketplaces in East Asia. "Smart shopping" is increasing: people compare prices more consciously, although spontaneous deals remain tempting. Consumer protection: Who warns, who helps?The Vienna Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer Wien), responsible for employee rights and strong in consumer protection, warns of typical Black Friday traps. Their advice focuses on countdown pressure, unclear return policies, inflated discounts, hidden shipping costs, and the rising danger of fake shops.The AK reminds shoppers: • retailers must show the lowest price of the past 30 days, • a 14-day withdrawal right applies online, • unclear or far-away return addresses are a red flag, • and suspiciously cheap deals often point to fraudulent sites. Black Week 2025: High Demand, High Risk, High Need for AwarenessWith spending records expected and digital shopping at its peak, 2025 continues a pattern: convenience rises, but so do the tricks used to manipulate consumers. Fake shops use professional layouts and AI-generated customer reviews. At the same time, more tools exist to stay safe: VPNs, browser-integrated scam detectors, trusted-shop labels like Trustmark Austria, and price-tracking platforms that reveal whether a discount is real or recycled.Image: A couple walks past a 'Black Friday Up to 70% Off' sign in a city. The woman looks at her phone - both carrying shopping bags. Photo: © Fashion.at — AI-generated with Nano Banana, Google AI Studio |
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Safety QuizReady to check how well you can navigate the digital jungle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday? This quiz puts everyday shopping situations to the test—from spotting fake deals to staying safe online. A quick way to see what you already know and where you can sharpen your instincts.Let's start the personal safety check! |