Cyber Monday

‘Black Friday Bonanza’ As Online Sales Trump In-Store Shopping

‘Black Friday Bonanza’ As Online Sales Trump In-Store Shopping

Shane Donnelly December 6, 2016 News

The Black Friday ‘bonanza’ caused a surge in online sales while in-store shopping suffered a drop in activity leading up to Christmas, according to a report by KPMG. Research into online shopping and in-store spending around the discount period revealed that online sales of non-food products grew 10.9% in November, similar to growth of 11.8% 12 months earlier. In the three months leading up to November, online orders grew 10.7% year-on-year while total non-food sales grew 1.7% – a sign of how important it is for small businesses to ensure they have an online presence. Online sales represented 27.6% of total non-food sales in the UK, against 25.3% in November 2015 – the highest penetration rate on record. In contrast, between September 2016 and November 2016, in-store sales fell... »

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Return Tuesday: Businesses Warned To Expect Refunds

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Return Tuesday: Businesses Warned To Expect Refunds

Shane Donnelly November 22, 2016 News

UK small businesses awaiting increased custom during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, can also expect a surge of returns – according to a report by Barclaycard. Data from Barclaycard Spend revealed that 30% of UK shoppers identify as a ‘serial returner’ –  someone who deliberately purchases and then returns unwanted items, with 19% admitting they purchase multiple versions of the same item online, only to decide on one at home. Online spending rocketed by 15.1% on Black Friday last year compared to 2014, suggesting that more custom will mean more returns. 57% of retailers say this ‘return culture’ has an ultimately negative impact on their business, as the items they get back are often unsellable. Of all items returned that can’t be re-sold, 48% had been visibly used, 29% had been mark... »