Seeking to sustain the momentum of a record $11.6 billion in online sales on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, U.S. retailers kicked off Cyber Monday by launching a slew of deals earlier than usual over the weekend, Reuters reports.
Amazon.com and other retailers have beefed up delivery services to fulfill online orders faster as more customers order over their mobile phones and tablets from home. For example, Target made free shipping available to all its customers throughout the shopping season, while Walmart offered shoppers the option of free two-day shipping or in-store pickup on the same day.
So far, the early deals have a clear winner: Retailers with a greater online presence, or those with services such as “buy online and pick up at the store.”
Adobe Analytics estimates the opening weekend of retailers’ bustling holiday season will set a record of almost $30 billion in sales, with Cyber Monday—now traditionally the U.S. economy’s biggest online shopping day—alone expected to reach $9.4 billion, a 19% increase from the same day a year ago.
