By ANNA JOLLY
PLATTSBURGH — Shoppers know all about Black Friday, but what about Cyber Monday? Whether or not customers have heard the retail term, most of the nation's big-box stores and online-only retail centers are looking to break records starting at 12 a.m. Monday.
Cyber Monday, first employed in 2005, is the unofficial kickoff of the online shopping season. It refers to the first Monday after Thanksgiving when people head back to work and poke around online to comparison shop and purchase.
According to preliminary reports, Black Friday 2009 appears slightly more successful than last year. However, with high unemployment and customers determined to spend the same or less than last holiday season, many retailers see the online space as a potential bright spot.
About 45 percent of online retailers expect sales to increase by 15 percent over a year ago, according to www.shop.org, a division of the National Retail Federation.
That retail group sponsors the Web site www.cybermonday.com, where online shoppers can find special offers from more than 650 retailers. Customers can also track deals through Facebook and Twitter.
Some retail giants with local stores are jazzing up their online offers. Among those offering deals on their Web sites are J.C. Penney, Target and Best Buy.
The early morning crowds outside the Plattsburgh Best Buy numbered in the hundreds for Black Friday. Even so, the Cyber Monday products are expected to bring more traffic into the store. That's because customers have the option to pick their online order up in the store. Also, like many other retailers, Best Buy has free shipping on certain orders.
Best Buy Operations Manager Ryan Drollette believes Cyber Monday is gaining momentum due to one main factor — conveinence.
"It's easier when you can stay at home and not deal with crowds," Drollette said. "This year many Black Friday sales were online too, so people figure why not try it?"
