Cyber Monday 2009 Surpasses Expectations

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone as online retailers prepared for consumers buying in less quantities by being more strategic with their campaigns. This proved to be a winning approach as earlier predictions for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales were smashed this past weekend when the final numbers rolled in.

cyber monday The proof is in the Christmas pudding (courtesy of Coremetrics data):

- Sales were up 13.7 percent compared to Cyber Monday 2008

- Cyber Monday continued the momentum set by Black Friday. Sales were up 24.1 percent compared to Black Friday 2009.

- The average dollar amount consumers spent per online order rose 38.2 percent from Cyber Monday 2008 ($180.03 versus $130.24), led by apparel retailers.

With many retailers offering huge savings and free shipping, shoppers indeed took advantage of their offers and this was especially apparent for apparel retailers. According to Coremetrics, apparel retailers and jewelry retailers reported the biggest jumps in the average dollar amount consumers spent per online order, up 26.4 percent and 14.3 percent respectively.

Shoppers looking for the best possible deal were not disappointed. For example, plus-size fashion leader AdditionElle, Penningtons and MXM offered a wide variety of savings ranging from free shipping, to dollar savings, to my personal favorite BOGO (Buy One Get One).

All in all, it was a very successful weekend that officially kicked off this season’s holiday shopping spree. It looks as though Santa will be generous this year .