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Make way for Cyber Monday

In a time where it seems everything has an online component, it would only be fitting that Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving where shoppers flock to malls for discounts and sales — followed suit.

That was, at least, the National Retail Federation’s plan, who in 2005 coined and marketed the phrase “Cyber Monday,” the Monday after Black Friday, where online vendors often experience a spike in sales. Vendors hope that with enough savvy marketing, the day could rival Black Friday as one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Vanguard University Assistant Professor of Business and Marketing Carolyn Stevens said.

“BDO Seidman Retail Compass Survey estimates that 12.3% of the $30 billion holiday sales will be transacted online [in] 2007,” she said. “I think that online shoppers are slowly being trained in the same way as brick-and-mortar shoppers are trained to shop on Black Friday, and are responding favorably to it.”

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Stevens said the spike could be attributed to any number of things — people heading to the Internet after failing to find presents in the stores, or even the ease with which employees can shop while on the clock. Either way, many stores have taken to the spirit, offering free shipping and other incentives for consumers to cash in.

Even local, smaller vendors reported a significant increase in online sales Monday. Duke Edukas, co-owner of Surfside Sports in Costa Mesa, said its Internet presence translated into big sales on that Monday.

“It’s interesting, because we have seen a tremendous spike in web sales today,” he said. “We’re more brick-and-mortar oriented, but even we anticipate a spike on the Monday following Black Friday. People are just in the mindset of buying more stuff.”


CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626.

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