That said, even more – 103 million people – said they shopped online and over m-commerce channels..
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A decade ago, when the internet was in a fast-growth phase but online shopping lagged significantly behind in-store shopping, a United States businesswoman, Ellen Davis, had an idea. That has made it vital for retailers to tailor websites for mobile viewing and ordering, and entice customers to spend impulsively, as online shoppers tend to be savvier.
Cyber Monday refers to the Monday after Thanksgiving during which shoppers return to work, where many have high-speed connections. Still, Cyber Monday remains the biggest online spending day, with total outlays hitting a record $3bn this year, according to Adobe Systems. That compares to 69 million online shoppers on Black Friday, who spent an average of $42.90.
Marketing ploy Predictably, Cyber Monday’s figures got plenty of attention this week, but they shouldn’t have, and should be seen for the holiday marketing ploy that they are. Online sales make up 10 percent of overall retail sales, but that increases to 15 percent during the holidays as online shoppers snap up Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, according to research firm Forrester. “Interestingly, as dramatically as mobile usage increased over the weekend, it then decreased on Cyber Monday”.
It’s the sixth year in a row that Cyber Monday has been top online sales day on record.
Consumers also turned to their mobile devices for Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping.
The rather tiresome and predictable reality is that it is Thanksgiving weekend in the United States, plus the entire month of December, that has gone “cyber” and sales-focused, leading up to the gift-giving holidays. Many bricks and mortar retailers now open on Thanksgiving, a change bemoaned by many. Sales fell 10.4 per cent from a year earlier to US$20.43 billion, according to research firm ShopperTrak. But mounting competition – both online and off – and the shift towards shopping on mobile devices have made it harder than ever to win the weekend.
Gimmick Another trend indicates Cyber Monday may become even more meaningless except as a gimmick.
ComScore expects online sales to rise 14 percent to $70.06 billion during the Christmas shopping period, slowing slightly from last year’s 15 percent rise.
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Gee. What a surprise.
