By: Richard L. Smith
Info Credit: Reuters
Cyber Monday is shaping up to be a blockbuster this year, perhaps the biggest yet, as millions of Americans opt for ease, speed, and deep discounts over the hustle of holiday crowds.
According to data from Adobe Analytics and reported by Reuters, U.S. online holiday spending could rise sharply again this year.
Holiday-season patterns already point to strong momentum. On Thanksgiving Day alone, online sales were projected to increase by around 6% compared with last year, reaching roughly $8.6 billion.
For Black Friday, preliminary data indicate that U.S. consumers spent an estimated record $11.8 billion online, a 9.1% increase from 2024.
In New Jersey, even amid inflation and tariff-related price pressures, retail analysts say malls and brick-and-mortar stores are bracing for the shifting tide of holiday shopping, with more consumers waiting for online deals rather than heading to stores early.
Still, the ease of checkout and home delivery is hard to beat this year: experts project that Cyber Monday could dominate holiday retail, with many shoppers using their phones and tablets to score deals, avoiding parking lots, checkout lines, and holiday crowds altogether.
But even with all the convenience, discounts, and delivery, I’m not completely sold.
As someone who values tangible experiences, I believe in the old-school charm of walking into a store, seeing the products firsthand, trying them on (if applicable), and supporting local businesses.
Online deals may feel stress-free, but they lack that hands-on energy, the possibility of spontaneous discoveries, and the human connection you get inside real stores.
Plus, sometimes you just can’t beat walking out with the item you bought, no waiting for shipping.
Given how tight budgets are this season, record online sales don’t necessarily mean record spending per shopper; many people are hunting bargains.
That makes sense: with inflation and economic uncertainty hanging over many households, getting the best value is more important than ever. But for me? I’m old enough to appreciate the simplicity of cash-and-carry, bag-in-hand purchases.
At least for holiday shopping, there’s a charm to making it real rather than just digital.
So if you’re shopping this Cyber Monday, yes, the deals online might be unbeatable, and the convenience is real. But if you have the time and the ability, walk into a store, touch the merchandise, talk to a salesperson, support your community: that old-school vibe still matters.