Well, I learned something new this past weekend. Specifically, the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest days for online retailers. Dubbed “Cyber Monday” by some, online merchants track one of the largest one day spikes in sales on this particular day much like “brick and mortar” purveyors experience with “Black Friday” the day that follows Thanksgiving. It is the Christmas shopping season…happy Cyber Monday to you!
According to Shop.org, an association of online retailers, more than 75% of their members reported a significant surge in traffic on the Monday following the extended Thanksgiving weekend in 2004. Shop.org gives the following reasons for the surge:

Workers returning to their offices from their Thanksgiving break have access to faster and more secured internet connections than in their homes. The association speculates that many are simply logging on to finish up shopping overlooked during the weekend.

Timed promotions and discounts by online retailers for that date.
All told, online retailers are expecting a 30% surge in sales in 2005 over last year. Compare that figure to the 5% increase the retailing industry is expecting for this Christmas shopping season over last year and you now understand why the internet is a favorite place for shopper and merchant alike.
So, log on right now and order from your favorite online merchant. Just don’t let the boss man catch you shopping on company time!