Cyber Monday 2010 was a success. You guys spent close to a billion dollars online yesterday, up 19% from last year, succumbing to Limited Time Offers! and Act Now! persuasion.
Not everyone made out big: The feds pulled the plug on a whopping 82 retailers hawking counterfeit goods — sorry folks, the dealer of your faux Fendi is officially out of business — by pulling web domain names on the grounds of copyright infringement. Oops!
For trusted names, however, it was hot, hot, hot. Cyber Monday started only about five years ago as the smarter, lazier, less violent shopper’s response to Black Friday, that special time reserved for megastore stampedes and greedy mom brawls. (Or one of Apple’s many successful attempts to drum up buzz.) Running with the gimmick, lots of e-retailers are extending sales throughout this Cyber Week. To help streamline your bargain hunting, here are the top spots for discounts good through Friday (though I’ve got to say, the Spoon Sisters are far more fun):
- Walmart — Leading the way, this one’s sort of a doozy. Walmart is advertising the hell out of its Cyber Week, promoting rotating specials. Kind of the gold standard, if you will.
- Amazon — The Lightning Deals give you that under pressure motivation, showing countdowns for everything from doggie beds to home theater systems. Reminds me of QVC with the “only 5 left!” suspense tactic.
- Target — My favorite store is following suit, extending it’s Black Monday sales throughout the week, no doubt in an effort to keep up with Walmart. Check out the Christmas kitch. Love. (Who doesn’t need a Certified International Snowflake Snowman Ice Cream Bowl, Set of 4?)
- Best Buy — Discounts on electronics (obviously) run through December 4. Free shipping is a nice bonus.
- Shutterfly — For those of you who still order prints, there are some pretty decent discounts for Shutterfly’s Cyber Week. Good for Christmas cards featuring awkward family photos.
- Sam’s Club! — (exclamation point mine) My mom used to take us here for modified brunch, eating our way through free samples while loading up on bulk licorice, bagel pizzas, and paper towels. Costco’s heartland cousin.
Caroline Walker is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor. She has worked in both the entertainment and the nonprofit sector. Walker holds a BA from the University of Southern California and an MA from New York University’s Gallatin School.
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