If initial holiday sales figures generated between Thanksgiving Eve and Cyber Monday are any indication, 2018 could be a record-breaking year for e-commerce.
Sales were up across the board through the six-day event. However, patterns in consumer spending and shopping didn't remain static throughout the week: Though online sales in the US reached $26.6 billion (up 24% from the same period in 2017), the increase was not evenly spread across the various days and devices used.
We can take away three lessons for the future, according to Chargebacks911.
First, mobile commerce is maturing, with mobile sales overtaking desktop for the first time ever on Thanksgiving.
Second, the holiday kickoff is no longer limited to specific days, like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. It makes more sense to see the period as one continuous, yet dynamic, multiday event.
And third, retailers with an international presence could score big if they're able to cross over into the lucrative Singles' Day (11/11) bonanza in the Chinese market. Consumers there spent $30.8 billion—more than the entire six-day US event—in just one day this year.
This infographic produced by Chargebacks911 examines some of the more interesting stats and initial figures behind these suggestions. Take a look:
