Retailers Gear Up for Huge 'Cyber Monday'

Happy Cyber Monday, the day when people who didn’t feel like braving Black Friday can still get half off a Kitchenaid mixer on Amazon. Last year was a huge hit, and analysts don’t expect today to be any different, as Cyber Monday has become more successful each year. A record number of retailers are expected to draw in shoppers with promotional emails, and a record number of shoppers are expected to take the bait, CNBC reports. In addition, the gap between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is closing; last year, Black Friday had 5% more deals than Cyber Monday, compared to 10% the year before.

A whopping 78% of online retailers are offering promotions today, from discounts to flash sales to free shipping, the New York Times notes; many are expecting today to be the biggest shopping day of the season. One reason for the growing popularity of Cyber Monday is an increase in the general popularity of online shopping; research shows the Web is now the No. 1 shopping destination. But just because spending is up over the past few days, one analyst warns that it remains to be seen what recession shoppers will spend over the rest of the holiday season. One thing is certain: Copycats are sure to follow. Already we’ve had “Merry Monday” (last week) and “Sofa Sunday” (yesterday); coming soon are Mobile Sunday and Free Shipping Day. (More Cyber Monday stories.)