Cyber Monday: The Black Friday Extension

Black Friday is over and Cyber Monday is now drawing to an end—sort of. In typical fashion, retailers will do everything they can to get you to open up your purse or wallet and hand over every last cent. Cyber Monday, however, has really caught on becoming more of an extension to Black Friday than a gimmick.

Although the Cyber Monday isn’t quite over yet (in my time-zone), retailers are already reporting record online sales. Were you a cyber-shopper this Monday?

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A Growing Beast

While Cyber Monday might have started as a marketing gimmick, it’s quickly grown into something much more. Of course in-store sales still dwarf online sales but there’s certainly a growing trend—more people shopping online—and if you’ve ever braved the Black Friday crowds, you’ll know exactly why.

I’ve braved the Black Friday crowds a couple times and, to say it nicely, I’ll never do that again. I’ll definitely stick to Cyber Monday for my holiday shopping.

But Will It Really Catch On?

I’d say it’s pretty safe to say Cyber Monday has already caught on, but in comparison to in-store sales, Cyber Monday is hardly a blip on the radar. As we become an increasingly online-driven society will Cyber Monday become the new Black Friday at some point, albeit long into the future?

I already do almost all my shopping online except for those times where I don’t have a choice. None of my family, however, do the same but instead prefer to deal with the stressful and hazardous crowds. Is it the adventure they seek? Or maybe they fear purchasing online more than swaths of people? Or perhaps they seek instant satisfaction with items in-hand as they check out?

Record Sales

While Cyber Monday might not be over yet for everyone, retailers like Amazon, Zappos, Ebay and many others have already reported record sales, some up more than 30% from last year. I can’t help but wonder how much of an impact the advancement of web apps, which create more seamless and user friendly online shopping experiences, have had on online sales in the last year or two.

I personally enjoy online shopping much more than I ever have before as online stores begin implementing more of today’s modern web technologies. While many are limited to regular photo-based browsing, many others offer 3D product views, video previews and of course the ever popular customer reviews and ratings (which you won’t find in-store).

What’s Your Preference?

I’m clearly a web fanatic so it only makes sense that I’d choose online shopping over in-store, but what about you? Were you a Cyber Monday participant? Do you shop both in-store and online or just do one or the other?

Whichever type of shopper you are, I’d love to hear why in a comment below. Maybe even share your favorite shopping resource (mine is Amazon.com, I’m addicted).