Retailers Plan Big Promotions on Cyber Monday

Washington, More retailers will feature online promotions on Cyber Monday this year, according to the eHoliday Survey, conducted this fall by BizRate Research. Cyber Monday, a term coined in 2005, began after online retailers noticed a trend of people shopping online on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

One-fourth of retailers (24.7%) will offer free shipping on all purchases. About 72.2% of online retailers are planning a special promotion for Cyber Monday, up from 42.7% just two years ago.

In addition, promotions will range from special e-mail campaigns (32%) to specific deals (29.9%) to one-day sales (28.9%).

Though more than half of U.S. homes have high-speed Internet access, many Americans feel the best place to shop for gifts is not at the mall, but at the office. This year, according to a BIGresearch survey conducted for Shop.org, 54.5% of office workers with Internet access, or 68.5 million people, will shop for holiday gifts from work, up substantially from 50.7% in 2006 and 44.7% in 2005.

Among the online retailers participating in CyberMonday.com are Barnes & Noble.com, circuitcity.com, eToys.com, JCPenney, Lands’ End, Newegg.com, Overstock.com and Sears.com.