Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cyber Monday the biggest online shopping day of the year?
Was Cyber Monday “made up?”
Why are you encouraging consumers to shop through CyberMonday.com?
How are retailers encouraging people to shop online this year?
Do retailers get upset when consumers shop online rather than in stores?
Where can I find more information about the holiday season?
How do you know when I've made a purchase from the Shop.org Cyber Monday Mall?
Does the shopping area access my personal information?
Do I need a coupon code to take advantage of special offers?
How do I know how much has been contributed to the Scholarship fund from each purchase I make?
Why do I have to have Javascript enabled in my browser to use this shopping mall? Is it safe?
I am a merchant and want to get my site listed in the mall. How do I do that?
Is Cyber Monday the biggest online shopping day of the year?
No. Much like the day after Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year but is not the biggest. However, many retailers see Cyber Monday as the online equivalent to “Black Friday.” It is the kickoff to the online holiday shopping season when retailers offer special promotions to bring customers to the web and introduce them to holiday merchandise.
Was Cyber Monday “made up?”
The term “Cyber Monday” was coined in 2005 by Shop.org, a division of the National Retail Federation. However, the trend of Cyber Monday was initially recognized a number of years ago, when many retailers saw spikes in sales and traffic as consumers went back to work after the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Though Shop.org gave the Monday after Thanksgiving a name, it hardly created the trend.
Why are you encouraging consumers to shop through CyberMonday.com?
CyberMonday.com is a one-stop shop for consumers to find the best Cyber Monday promotions. Nearly 500 well-known online retailers are promoting special savings and discounts for shoppers this year on the site. Also, all of the proceeds collected by Shop.org from money spent through CyberMonday.com will be donated to Shop.org's Ray M. Greenly Scholarship Fund, which helps students pursuing careers in eCommerce. Ray Greenly was a Vice President at Shop.org before passing away from cancer in 2005.
How are retailers encouraging people to shop online this year?
Shoppers will be able to find great deals throughout the Internet this holiday season. Most online retailers will be promoting some kind of free shipping offer during the holidays. Some companies will also be adding “early shopper” discounts and “first time buyer” discounts this year.
Companies also know that consumers use the web to look for gift ideas, compare prices and research products. As a result, websites are ramping up gift idea centers to help people get holiday ideas. Also, retailers are putting more information about specific products on the web, making it easier for customers to determine what they want to buy before heading to the store.
Do retailers get upset when consumers shop online rather than in stores?
Not at all. Retailers look at the Internet as another way for them to provide services and a shopping experience that their customers want. The Internet is another way for retailers to attract customers, sell merchandise and promote products. There is no question that the Internet has made the retail industry more competitive, but that ends up helping consumers in the long run with lower prices and better promotions.
Where can I find more information about the holiday season?
The National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade group, has a variety of holiday information available. To read NRF's press releases, download a copy of its Holiday Survival Kit, or find historical Holiday information, click here.
How do you know when I've made a purchase from the Shop.org Cyber Monday Mall?
We keep track of who you are by writing a "cookie" to your computer. Cookies are completely safe and do not contain any of your personal information. We pass an identification number to the merchant so they can tell us about your purchase.
Does the shopping area access my personal information?
No. We only keep track of where you shop, so we can properly credit the scholarship fund.
Do I need a coupon code to take advantage of special offers?
In some cases you do. The coupon code will be given to you along with the special offer.
How do I know how much has been contributed to the Scholarship fund from each purchase I make?
The Scholarship will receive a different contribution percentage from each merchant, depending on what you buy at that merchant's site. View the merchant's information page for specific details. Because we cannot guarantee a specific amount, the amount displayed in the mall is an estimate.
Why do I have to have Javascript enabled in my browser to use this shopping mall? Is it safe?
Javascript is a programming language that helps us display dynamic information on the site. CyberMonday.com will not function without it. You can be assured that our Javascript code is completely safe.
I am a merchant and want to get my site listed in the mall. How do I do that?
Please contact Mall Networks, the company that operates the mall.
