James Tenser

Cyber Monday Sales Record Shattered

November 27, 2012

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Consumers showed no indication that they were letting up on online purchases on Cyber Monday despite having already spent a record $59.1 billion over the four-day Thanksgiving Day weekend. What are your takeaways from the performance of online retail so far this holiday season?      [more...]

I think the retail industry collectively has done a good job this year of shifting holiday shopping toward "early."

This is great for the chains' November cash flow, but it does not guarantee a much larger total holiday spending season. It will be interesting to track markdowns in mid-late December -- both in-stores and online.

The 28% Cyber Monday sales growth aligns generally with my expectation. It helps that online shopping carts have apparently become more dependable and up to the challenge. Has anyone heard any virtual store flame-out stories this year? I haven't yet.

Shoppers have come to recognize the advantages of staying home to do at least part of their gifting. Free shipping works better early, and savvy cyber-ers know this.