Cyber Monday retains digital dominance

The dynamics of Thanksgiving weekend retail activity continue to evolve, but Cyber Monday still rules with sales that topped $2 billion for the first time ever this year.



Online digital measurement firm comScore said desktop online sales, which account for nearly 90% of all online spending, increased 17 percent on Cyber Monday to slightly more than $2 billion, making it the heaviest day in online history. The weekend after Thanksgiving also reached a major milestone as it saw its first ever $1 billion online shopping day on Saturday, while Sunday's sales just fell short of the $1 billion mark, according to comScore. The lowest volume, but fastest growing day was Thanksgiving when online sales grew 32% to a little more than $1 billion. For the five-day period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, online buying from desktop computers totaled $6.6 billion, up 24 percent versus last year.



"With more than $2 billion in online buying on Cyber Monday to cap an exceptionally strong five day period since Thanksgiving, the online holiday shopping season is clearly going very well at the moment and is currently running ahead of forecast," said comScore chairman emeritus Gian Fulgoni. "Any notion that Cyber Monday is declining in importance is really unfounded, as it continues to post new historical highs and reflects the ongoing strength of online this holiday season. Varying reports have also indicated weakness in the consumer economy due to flagging brick-and-mortar sales over the holiday weekend, but what we may really be seeing is an accelerating shift to online buying as mobile phones spur increased showrooming activity. The data we're seeing suggest it may be more a change in shopping behavior than a lack of consumer demand."