SAN JOSE, Calif. ― U.S. retailers launched Cyber Monday deals early over the weekend in an effort to ride the momentum of a record $11.6 billion in sales on Thursday and Friday. Adobe Analytics estimates that overall sales for the five-day period will set a new record of almost $30 billion, with Cyber Monday alone to account for more than $9 billion.
Both Amazon and traditional retailers like Target and Walmart have ramped up their delivery efforts in order to fulfil orders faster. Target is offering free shipping to all customers during the holiday season, while Walmart is offering the choice of free two-day shipping or same-day pickup in store. “The weekend between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is emerging as a truly lucrative period for online commerce,” said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe. “Consumers … are accelerating spend in the run-up to Cyber Monday.”
