You read that right – according to a BIGresearch survey conducted for Shop.org between November 28 and 28, 2009, close to 100 million Americans plan to shop on Cyber Monday (November 30, 2009) this year, up from 85 million last year. Happily, as we saw in research released last week, almost nine out of ten online [...]

If the folks around you are looking a bit tired (and turkey leftovers are no longer to blame), chances are they’re some of the 195 million shoppers who visited stores and Web sites this weekend (Thursday through Sunday). For those shopping offline, they braved what were likely packed parking lots and long lines, since 23 [...]

It’s Thanksgiving week – and with it, the real holiday rush is on. We’re releasing this week some new research about consumer and retailer plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so herewith a few highlights: Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving, traditionally a day more focused on offline shopping, is getting a boost from online vehicles [...]

Even though the holiday season has started, it’s not too late to integrate social and email marketing for higher response and revenue. Break free of the typical “higher frequency” trap of the holidays with these seven practical ideas.

Full disclosure: I’ve had something of a bee in my bonnet about free shipping for returns for some time. Amid the debate about free outbound shipping offers in recent holiday seasons, I’ve wondered aloud (even in this blog forum) why free shipping offers have to be solely a matter of “with –“ or “without conditions”. [...]