Black Friday in Malaysia: Oops, We Did It Again!

Black Friday.

Just hearing those two words conjures up images of long queues, midnight madness, and discounts that make people lose their minds.

But here in Malaysia, do we really celebrate Black Friday?

Not exactly.

We’re more about 11.11, 12.12, and our very own Malaysia Day sales. Still, the hype of Black Friday is undeniable, and it always gets me thinking about the crazy strategies brands use to reel us in. 

I’ve blogged about Black Friday before, way back in 2020! (Whoa, time flies.) If you want a throwback to some great deals and insights from then, check out my posts on Black Friday 2020 Sales and Cyber Monday Deals.

Now, let’s dive into some juicy tidbits about Black Friday marketing tactics that caught my attention this year.

The 'Oops' Emails—Marketing Genius or Sneaky Gimmick?

Have you ever received one of those “Oops! We accidentally sent this email” messages from a brand?

I always thought those were genuine mistakes. Turns out, they’re not! These emails are intentionally sent to grab your attention and create a sense of curiosity.

Imagine this:

You’re about to delete the email, but then you spot “Oops!” in the subject line. Suddenly, you’re thinking, What mistake? Did I miss something important? And just like that, you’re clicking through to a sale you never intended to shop at.

Brilliant, right?

It’s like they’ve hacked into our curiosity-driven brains. I guess brands know us better than we know ourselves. Maybe I should try this tactic for my blog. Oops, did I just reveal a marketing secret?

How Brands Plan for Black Friday

Brands don’t just “wing it” for Black Friday.

Nope.

This is military-level strategy, people. They roll out flash sales, exclusive discounts, and limited-time offers designed to make you act fast. Add in some scarcity tactics—“Only 5 left in stock!”—and boom, you’ve got a recipe for a shopping frenzy.

I saw these strategies in full swing back in 2020. In my post, I shared some deals that made even skeptics like me pause. While not every sale was mind-blowing, the FOMO factor was real. Malaysians might not have Black Friday ingrained in our shopping calendar, but the strategies behind it?

Universal.

Customer Retention Tricks—What Brands Don’t Want You to Know

Black Friday isn’t just about making you buy stuff. It’s about making sure you come back for more. Brands use loyalty programs, exclusive “members-only” perks, and personalized discounts to keep you hooked.

One clever tactic I’ve noticed is the follow-up email: “Since you loved our Black Friday deals, here’s a special offer just for you!” It’s all about making you feel special (even if everyone else got the same email). 

Oh, and let’s not forget the humor.

The email I got that mentioned “semen retention”? Probably a typo—or maybe brands are just out here testing how far they can push creativity. Either way, it gave me a good laugh.

Does Black Friday Even Matter in Malaysia?

Here’s the thing:

We Malaysians don’t go wild over Black Friday like in the US.

Why?

Because we’ve got our own mega sales like 11.11 and 12.12. But that doesn’t mean Black Friday is irrelevant. With global online shopping, platforms like Lazada and Shopee have jumped on the bandwagon, offering deals that rival the best of Black Friday.

Back in 2020, I wrote about Cyber Monday, which felt like an extension of Black Friday. It’s interesting how these Western concepts have subtly influenced our shopping culture. We may not need Black Friday, but we sure do enjoy the ripple effect.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s “Oops” emails or loyalty programs, Black Friday reminds us how brands will go to great lengths to grab our attention—and our wallets. And while it’s not a huge event here in Malaysia, the marketing brilliance behind it is worth noting (and maybe stealing a page from). 

Have you ever fallen for an “Oops” email or a Black Friday deal that seemed too good to be true? Or do you think our 11.11 and 12.12 sales are enough? Share your thoughts in the comments—I promise, no sneaky marketing tricks here. Just good ol’ blogging fun.