Getting Shoppers Ready for Cyber Monday

The Monday after Thanskgiving is rapidly becoming one of the most popular virtual shopping days of the year, according to a new survey from an online retailers group.

While one of the biggest brick and mortar retail shopping days of the year is Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), what is coming to be known as one of the biggest virtual shopping days of the year happens the following Monday.

Called Cyber Monday by Shop.org, an association for retailers online, 77 percent of online retailers said that their sales increased substantially last year on the Monday after Thanksgiving. This is according to the Shop.org/BizRate Research 2005 eHoliday Mood Study. Shop.org said experts believe that an increase in web traffic could stem from the fact that consumers may have faster or more secure Internet connections at work and choose to shop there, or that they were unable to finish all of their shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Analysts also expect many consumers to shop on Cyber Monday from home after work or when their children are sleeping.

Online retailers are planning to be ready for Cyber Monday, with 43 percent of online offering special promotions and discounts on Cyber Monday. Deals will range from free shipping to gifts with purchase to percentages off.

According to the survey, added Shop.org, the biggest Cyber Monday winners last year were jewelry/luxury retailers, with 89 percent of websites seeing substantial increases in sales, and consumer electronics retailers at 86 percent. Retailers who offer food, beverages, or other gourmet items (83%) and furniture and home decor (80%) also saw above-average sales surges.

“On Cyber Monday, consumers set their sights on surfing for holiday gifts and shopping online,” said Scott Silverman, Executive Director of Shop.org. “This year, online retailers will be capitalizing on the increased traffic by offering special promotions and discounts.”