Cyber Monday sales increase

Observation:  As if trying to out-perform the record in-store retail sales of Black Friday (see immediately below), Cyber Monday followed with even more remarkable sales increases.  By some accounts—like this one from USA Today—sales were up as much as a projected 18%.  Click here to see the story.

Implications:   Some analysts are pointing to this year’s holiday sales as evidence that the economy has stabilized and consumers have grown wildly more confident.  Others are suggesting that sales might taper-off now that consumers have taken advantage of the most advertised discounts of the year.  Only time will tell which group is closer to reality.

If you’re a business owner, marketer or manager, the best bet is to not wait for the analysts results... but work to improve your own.  How can you add value to the gift giving (or receiving) experience?  Which distinctions have been most important to your holiday buyers so far?  Are you emphasizing those unique value propositions in your messaging to other buyers?

Mike Anderson, for the Elm Street Economics consumer trends blog. A service of The Center for Sales Strategy, Inc.