Blue Monday Explained: What it Means (and Why it Matters)

Every winter, shoppers and retailers circle one date on the calendar: Blue Monday. Known for deep discounts and mood-boosting purchases, this event has evolved into a major online and in-store retail moment, often compared (on a smaller scale) to Black Friday, but with a distinctly January feel.

From fashion bargains to tech upgrades, Blue Monday sale campaigns tap into a simple truth: when winter feels long and budgets feel tight, people love a good deal.

In this article, we’ll cover what is Blue Monday, the most popular product categories people buy, the top brands that dominate sales, and how gift cards fit into modern Blue Monday shopping.

Blue Monday Meaning: What is Blue Monday?

Let’s start with the basics: what is Blue Monday?

The widely shared Blue Monday meaning describes it as the “most depressing day of the year,” usually linked to a mix of post-holiday fatigue, cold weather, darker days, and financial pressure after December spending.

Many people search for it every year, not just because of the emotional angle, but because it has become a retail and marketing event.

Blue Monday Origin: How Did it Start?

The Blue Monday origin is often tied to a marketing-driven concept that gained traction in the mid-2000s. Over time, the idea spread globally through media coverage and shopping promotions.

Even though the science behind it is debated, the event itself has become very real in retail terms, because brands consistently run aggressive discounts during this period.

Blue Monday Date: When Does it Happen?

The Blue Monday date is typically the third Monday of January.

That means the exact timing changes every year, so shoppers often look up things like:

Blue Monday 2026
January 19th

Depending on the calendar year, January 19th may align with Blue Monday, which is why it’s frequently searched alongside Blue Monday-related deals and promotions.

New Order Blue Monday: Why People Search it

A fun twist in search interest comes from music fans looking up new order Blue Monday, the iconic track by the band New Order.

Even today, the song continues to influence pop culture and adds extra search volume every January when people start trending the phrase “Blue Monday” again.

What People Buy Most on Blue Monday (Categories + Trends)

While Blue Monday isn’t always measured like Cyber Monday, the shopping behavior around January discount events is very consistent. When prices drop, consumers tend to buy practical upgrades, comfort items, and “treat yourself” products.

Below are the biggest categories people shop during Blue Monday.

Blue Monday Shopping Categories

Note: the table below is a trend-based shopping breakdown (illustrative category share), reflecting typical January deal behavior.

Category	Why it Spikes on Blue Monday	Purchases
Fashion category	Clearance season and wardrobe refresh	34%
Beauty category	Self-care, small mood-lifting buys	22%
Technology category	January upgrades and gadget discounts	28%
Sports category	“New year, new me” motivation	16%

Category Popularity:

1) Fashion: The #1 “refresh your life” purchase

The fashion category is one of the strongest performers every year during January promotions, because it’s peak clearance season, shoppers want quick wins (new outfits feel like an instant mood lift), and retailers use this time to clear holiday inventory.

Top brands that typically dominate fashion-focused Blue Monday promotions include:

2) Beauty: Small Purchases – Big Effect

The beauty category is a major Blue Monday favorite because it’s one of the easiest ways to buy something “new” without committing to a huge spend.

Common beauty purchases include:

skincare sets
haircare tools
self-care bundles
fragrances and restock essentials

Beauty is deeply tied to the emotional side of Blue Monday – shoppers are craving comfort, confidence, and a fresh reset. Explore feel-good favorites from Douglas, Dyson, and Sephora to lift the mood and start the week glowing.

3) Electronics: Smart Upgrades and January Bargains

The electronics category spikes during Blue Monday because consumers are deal-hunting right after the holidays.

Popular purchases include:

wireless earbuds
smartwatches and wearables
tablets and accessories
home tech that improves daily routines

One of the most searched brand types in this category is Apple products, which is why you’ll often see interest in:

Apple gift card

An Apple gift card is popular because it can be used for devices, services, apps, and accessories, making it one of the most versatile options during January sales.

4) Sports: The “New Year, New Me” Effect

The sports category gets an extra boost in January thanks to New Year resolutions.

This usually includes purchases like:

running shoes
training clothing
fitness accessories
wearable tech and recovery tools

This is also why Adidas, Decathlon, Columbia, or Nike often appear in Blue Monday shopping trends, thanks to its strong sportswear presence and discounting during seasonal sales.

Top Blue Monday’s Brands

Blue Monday tends to concentrate spending into a few major brand clusters:

Electronics

Apple (especially audio and accessories). See all electronics’ category deals here.

Sports

Adidas, Columbia, Sports Direct, Decathlon, Nike, and many others. See all sports’ category deals here.

Fashion

Tj Maxx, Zara, Zalando, Macy’s, Asos, H&M, and many others. See all fashion’s category deals here.

Beauty

Popular searches and options often include:

Dyson gift card
Sephora gift card
Douglas gift card

Home

This is where gift cards also become part of the shopping strategy. Many shoppers prefer gift cards because they control budgeting, lock in spending power during promotions, and make gifting easy even after the holiday season. See all home’s category deals here.

However, if you don’t feel like spending too much, even a little and cheap gift could boost your mood! Check out cheap gift cards here:

Gift Cards Up to 5$

Gift cards aren’t just for the holiday rush anymore – they’ve become one of the smartest ways to shop year-round. And when Blue Monday rolls around, they’re especially useful. Instead of impulse-buying something you might regret later, gift cards let you plan ahead, stick to your budget, and take advantage of limited-time deals without overspending. They’re a simple, practical way to shop with more control – and still enjoy the excitement of a good discount.

That’s where Coingate Gift Cards comes in. It’s one of the best places to grab digital gift cards quickly and hassle-free, with a smooth checkout process designed for modern, online-first shoppers. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or picking up a last-minute gift, you can get what you need in minutes via email – no waiting, no complicated steps.

See Discounted Gift Cards

Blue Monday is Now a Real Retail Event

Even if you don’t buy into the myth, Blue Monday has become a predictable shopping spike. It sits at the intersection of winter emotions, January budget reality, and retailers pushing some of their best discounts of the season.

With strong interest in the fashion category, beauty category, technology category, and sports category, Blue Monday buying behavior is surprisingly consistent: shoppers want deals that improve daily life, boost confidence, or help them reset for the year ahead.

And as we head toward Blue Monday 2026, interest will only keep growing, especially around the most searched topics like Blue Monday meaning, Blue Monday origin, and the exact Blue Monday date.