A Record-Breaking Cyber Monday: Shoppers Go Digital for Holiday Deals
Heap phone in hand, shoppers flocked to online retailers this Cyber Monday, smashing records for digital spending and making it the biggest online shopping day of the year.
Consumers spent an astronomical $13 billion online, marking a more than 6% increase from last year’s Cyber Monday sales. Every minute, a staggering $16 million was exchanged online, underscoring the shift to digital shopping for holiday deals.
This year’s Cyber Monday success follows a strong start to the holiday shopping season, with Black Friday online sales making up 55% of all purchases and nearly 60% of Thanksgiving online purchases coming from mobile devices. This indicates a growing comfort and preference for using smartphones for shopping.
Deal-seeking shoppers snatched up bargains across a wide range of categories, including electronics, appliances, and sporting goods. Televisions and headphones emerged as the hottest items for holiday shoppers.
Gift Cards Gain Popularity as Cyber Monday Delights
Shopping expert Regina Conway explained that Cyber Monday offered more than just deals on electronics; it was also a prime opportunity for smart savings on gift cards.
“Not only can you find gift cards discounted themselves that you can then gift to others, you can also purchase gift cards and use them as currency for future purchases,” Conway advised.
This strategy allows savvy shoppers to maximize their savings and enjoy greater flexibility in their gift-giving.
Shopping Spree Extends Beyond Monday
The busiest online shopping period on Cyber Monday fell between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. But the good news for those who missed out is that the deals aren’t over just yet.
Many retailers, including large platforms like Amazon, are still offering deep discounts, providing shoppers with another chance to score incredible savings. So, while Cyber Monday may be behind us, the holiday shopping season is still in full swing.
What factors contributed to the shift towards online shopping on Cyber Monday?
## A Record-Breaking Cyber Monday: Shoppers Go Digital
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is retail analyst, Jane Smith, to discuss the record-breaking Cyber Monday we just witnessed. Jane, thanks for being here.
**Jane Smith:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** So, let’s dive right in. Reports are flooding in about astronomical online sales. What are we seeing?
**Jane Smith:** Absolutely! This Cyber Monday was a truly historical day for e-commerce. Shoppers spent a staggering $13 billion online, shattering previous records and cementing its place as the biggest online shopping day of the year.
**Interviewer:** That’s mind-blowing! Can you shed some light on what’s driving this shift towards online shopping, particularly on Cyber Monday?
**Jane Smith:** There are several factors at play. For starters, the convenience of shopping from home can’t be overstated. Add to that the plethora of deals and discounts offered exclusively online, and it’s easy to see the appeal. [[1](https://www.npr.org/2024/12/01/g-s1-36310/black-friday-cyber-monday-record-spending)]also suggests that the trend of avoiding crowded stores, which we saw on Black Friday, likely continued through Cyber Monday.
**Interviewer:** So, it seems the traditional Black Friday experience is giving way to a more digital holiday shopping scene?
**Jane Smith:** Absolutely. Retailers have clearly adapted to this shift, offering increasingly competitive online deals and promotions. This Cyber Monday was a prime example of that.
**Interviewer:** What can shoppers expect for the rest of the holiday season? More online spending?
**Jane Smith:** I definitely think so. We’re likely to see continued strong online sales throughout the holidays. The convenience and ease of online shopping are here to stay, and retailers will continue to innovate and offer enticing deals to keep shoppers clicking.
**Interviewer:** Jane Smith, thank you for your insights into this record-breaking Cyber Monday. It’ll be fascinating to see what the rest of the holiday shopping season brings.
