Shopping sales in general this year could be less than last year due to COVID-19. However, there is not a consensus among analyst as some think that Cyber Monday 2020 may see increased sales as many people are still at home because it is not yet safe to go back to their places of employment. Some people are expecting fewer online sales during this pandemic, and others are predicting record numbers.
In many highly populated areas, people are still at home due to the virus, it is possible that Cyber Monday could be the largest one in history.
According to Progress-Index, the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia has announced its annual warnings for consumers this year. The BBB is encouraging shoppers to take care that they are buying products from reputable brands with secure networks. The organization believes the number of fake shopping websites to increase this year more so than any previous one. While Cyber Monday typically offers good deals, if it sounds too good to be true, the BBB recommends inspecting the website to see if it is authentic and safe.
President and CEO of Central Virginia BBB said, “There’s an element that care nothing for holidays other than what they can steal from people.” He warned that shoppers should be on their “highest guard”.
If shoppers find a website that they think may be fraudulent, they can search for it on the BBB website and find out if it is legitimate.
BBB also recommends the following seven tips for shopping on Cyber Monday: be wary of false advertising and phony websites, shop only on secure sites that you trust, keep antivirus software up to date, price check before you buy, (where possible) take advantage of loyalty and other rewards programs, use a credit card rather than a debit card in case you need to dispute a purchase, and make sure to understand return policies.
The major department stores and online distributors are confident that Cyber Monday will be successful. Many retailers are considering extending their Cyber Monday prices throughout the week; however, this will occur on a store-by-store basis.
According to predictions by analyst on BlackFriday.com, they believe Cyber Monday 2020 sales will match or exceed $10 billion, which is higher than last year’s $9.4 billion.
All businesses have been preparing for Cyber Monday for quite some time. According to Scott McCall, chief merchandising officer for Walmart, “Our merchants have pulled together our biggest and best Cyber Monday savings to date, and we’ve staffed up in our fulfillment centers to process orders quickly for delivery.”
Company representatives from Amazon have been echoing similar sentiments over the past few weeks.
Cyber Monday will have products for reduced prices in the following areas: general popular items, products from major retailers, home & health, fashion and beauty, tech & electronics, and toys & games.
It is also important to note that consumers can make purchases from retailers on websites outside of the U.S. In some cases shoppers may find a better price for items when they consider making purchases from international retailers.