Black Friday, Cyber Monday not as busy as most think

Reuters via Yahoo! ^ | November 30, 2006

[RayChuang88]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - "Black Friday" conjures up images of crowded malls, long lines and cranky shoppers, but the day after Thanksgiving did not even rank as one of the top five busiest holiday shopping days last year, according to a report released by MasterCard Worldwide on Monday.

The report also found that, contrary to popular belief, there will not be a huge surge in online shopping on the Monday after Thanksgiving -- which has been called "Cyber Monday."

Instead, the report predicts that most people will likely put off their holiday shopping until right before Christmas.

[RayChuang88]

I have to quibble with this report because enormous success of online shopping sites like Amazon.com, Buy.com, etc. has essentially "spread out" Christmas buying so people are buying Christmas gifts online even earlier--sometimes as early as the first week in November! This is a result of near-universal Internet access here in the USA, whether by dialup or increasingly broadband connections.

[buck61]

Yes, and isn't it a wonderful way to shop.
But I would caution those who will do this for the first time to ck. the return policy, shipping and, product brands.

[Pravious]

Did we go through a time warp or something? Why is this report dated ten days from now?

[MadIvan]

I did my Christmas shopping (online) a few weeks ago.

I can understand that there would be a "starter's gun" for the shopping season in America, namely, Thanksgiving - but surely no one really wants to stand in long lines?

Regards, Ivan

[RayChuang88]

OOPS!

To the admins--can you change the date of the article to November 20, 2006 instead?

[bondjamesbond]

The only reason to hit the stores this Friday is because there are some really good one-day sales. Get the circulars and check them out. If you see something you like, at a price you like, go to the store. If not, stay home and put your feet up.