Cyber Monday 2013: Record-Breaking Sales and an Increase in the Usage of Mobile Devices

As expected, sales for this year’s Cyber Monday crushed the previous year with an increase of 18 percent, reaching a total of $1.735 billion, according to ComScore. In fact, since its inception in 2005, Cyber Monday has continued to grow and has been widely known as the largest online shopping day for several years. Many choose to shop online for Cyber Monday rather than facing the crowds on the biggest shopping day of the year for retailers, Black Friday, as the deals are comparable and the convenience of shopping from home is more appealing. Further, given its continued growth in popularity, Cyber Monday is evolving in to a weeklong event as many retailers continue to offer promotions through Friday.

In addition to a major increase in sales on Cyber Monday, the way consumers shopped differed. According to a Forbes article, more consumers chose to use their mobile devices in 2013 with an increase of 55.4 percent compared to 2012. In total, mobile sales accounted for 17 percent of total Cyber Monday sales.

To break down mobile usage further, 19.7 percent of shoppers chose to browse eCommerce websites using their mobile devices, while 11.5 percent opted to browse on their tablet. However, when it came to making purchases, 11.7 percent chose to proceed through checkout on a tablet device, while just 5.5 percent did so on a mobile device. Average sale per order was also higher on tablets coming in at $126.30. Average sale per order on a smartphone was $106.49.

Another sales driving factor for this year’s online shopping event was social triggers. According to a report put together by Adobe Systems, Inc., between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, consumers who landed on a retailer’s website by clicking on a link from a social network spent $148 million online.

There are many great opportunities that come with having an eCommerce website, especially one that features responsive web design, which makes a site display in an easily digestible format across varying screen sizes. On top of selling online, when it comes to events like Cyber Monday, or even Black Friday, businesses who have an online store are able to offer promotions, like free shipping or buy one get one specials. Mobile coupons are another tool that can be used to entice consumers and further drive sales online or in brick-and-mortar locations during these and other big online shopping events. Further, social interaction can play a significant role with promotions and increasing the overall visibility of your business’ product portfolio. To take advantage of any of these features or to start selling online with a custom web store, contact our sales team today.

Avoid Mass Chaos: Shop Online Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Each year, Black Friday is taken to new extremes and 2013 will be no exception. This season, many retailers plan to open their doors Thursday evening and continue sales through Friday. Some advertisers are even referring to the shopping event as “Black Thursday.” So now, what was once a day reserved for a sit-down dinner with loved ones has turned in to an opportunity for retailers to turn a profit. This has caused a great deal of controversy, however, since consumers are always looking for a deal, 2013 is sure to be another record breaking year for total Black Friday sales, especially since the time frame is longer.

For consumers who disagree with 2013’s lengthened Black Friday extravaganza, there is one clear option, and that is Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Black Friday. For 2013, that Monday is December 2. This shopping event is the online version of Black Friday. Businesses that sell online offer great deals at varying times throughout the day, just like their brick and mortar locations do on Black Thursday. This means consumers can spend Thanksgiving with their families, enjoy a long holiday weekend and still get a head start on Christmas shopping with great deals on Cyber Monday.

There are many benefits to Cyber Monday. Those who opt to shop online can avoid large crowds, long lines and the extremists who will do anything to get the products they want that are on sale. Further, those who shop on Cyber Monday receive similar deals to those who go out and face the crowds on Black Friday and they get to do so from the convenience of their own home. That means pajamas are acceptable attire. Free shipping is almost a given on Cyber Monday and this year, mobile commerce will have a big impact.

We heard it last year and the year before that, but it is still true this year; the holiday shopping season in 2013 will be another record breaking year. That is due in part to Cyber Monday. What started as marketing hype to boost online sales in 2005 has grown in to a huge success. For 2013, according to Nielsen, 85 percent of consumers will skip Black Friday and instead, 46 percent said they will shop online Cyber Monday. Also according to Nielsen, online shopping will increase on Black Friday; 51 percent of consumers who will shop on Black Friday intend to do so online.

When it comes to what mobile device consumers will use to shop online, Nielsen found that 37 percent will use tablets and 27 percent will use their smartphones.

Black Friday is the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Moving forward, businesses will need to consider strategies for brick and mortar locations as well as for their online stores. Need an eCommerce store to grow your business online? Or perhaps just a mobile-optimized website? Contact Azox today!

In the meantime, look for more detailed statistics from us next week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!