Cyber Monday is almost here and shoppers are ready. Mobile commerce is growing, with a 66% increase on Thanksgiving this year. Following a big Black Friday, e-retailers are happy and expecting for the new popular sales day to be the same.
Cyber Monday is expected to generate online sales of roughly $1.5 billion this year, which is up from $1.2 billion from 2011. CNN Money reported the forecast from Andrew Lipsman, industry analyst expert. Last year's record for Cyber Monday hit $52.4 billion, which includes days beginning on Thanksgiving up to Cyber Monday. Retailers started this year revealing their online shopping deals on Thanksgiving, which IBM Benchmark shows sales increased by 17%.
IBM Benchmark also reported in the article online sales were up 24% on Black Friday by evening time. E-Retailers are making a big push to promote online shopping throughout the 4-day frenzy. Jay Henderson, IBM Strategy Director stated, "We've absolutely seen this whole weekend turn into one big promotional event. Black Friday deals are no longer just for the [brick-and-mortar] store, and Cyber Monday deals are no longer just for Monday." Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy, stated their online sales even before Thanksgiving.
Retailers have definitely stepped outside the box to capture shoppers' attention for Cyber Monday. Online retailers also are stepping outside the box testing markets to offer same-day delivery for online sales. Retailers understand that shoppers desire to receive what they buy faster than ever. It's not enough to have a great deal, but the shopper has to wait days to receive it. The company that can meet the delivery demand will be the retailers that comes out on top.
Same-day couriers like A-1 Express can help retailers provide same-day delivery on Cyber Monday. This New York courier has a a national footprint and the expertise to meet any same-day delivery demand. A-1 Express can also be partnered with to respond to immediate delivery returns of merchandise, resulting in high level of customer responsiveness. From small packages to large freight, A-1 Express delivers every time!
References: 11.23.12, CNN Money, Julianne Pepitone, Cyber Monday starts early this year