Cyber Monday kicked off this week, but from what I could see, the heavy online shopping happened on Black Friday, in the stores. Accompanying a 20-something, we stood in the store aisle and comparison shopped online, complete with deals, product information and reviews. The store was the show room. We bought in-store, but online beckoned all the way to the bricks and mortar checkout, offering free shipping versus hauling it home. Mall Owners started it all educating the consumer to look for special offers and events available only to Mall shoppers, and they learned fast, to not purchase until they checked their phones. Best Buy was reborn, as a showroom for technology vendors who offer expert knowledge, set-up, and advice on the latest must-have tech advances. As this week winds up with Friday’s November Labor Department Jobs Report, weak sales over the holidays could ratchet up the pressure on some retailers. I wonder if those under pressure truly embrace online.
December 2, 2015