Social Shopping on Cyber MondaySocial Shopping on Cyber Monday

Work.  Forget about it.  On Cyber Monday an estimated 68 million people will shop from work.  According to the National Retail Federation as the millions flock to the net,over 500 retailers will vy for their attention and their dollars.

A survey by BizRate Research notes many retailers will be offering special one day promotions on Cyber Monday. ”Promotions will range from special email campaigns (32.0%) to specific deals (29.9%) to one-day sales (28.9%). Additionally,one-fourth of retailers (24.7%) will offer free shipping on all purchases. In fact,72.2 percent of online retailers are planning a special promotion for Cyber Monday,up from 42.7 percent just two years ago.”

Cyber Monday is about the deal,getting a jump on holiday shopping,and for some people avoiding a little work.  With a projected 68 million hitting cyberspace,it makes you wonder if it may also be a social opportunity.  Like Cyber Monday,Black Friday is about the deals too,and for many a social experience too –normally hitting the malls with a friend or family member.  So why not Cyber Monday?

There are many sites (and retailers) dedicated to intercepting cyber-monday shoppers.  Some of the sites like CyberMonday.com even have a facebook page (with about 3,340 fans).  Of course,having a fans on facebook does not necessarily translate to a social experience. 

The idea of virtually shopping with others is in the spirit of  Cyber Monday.   Virtual shopping with friends could manifest itself in different ways like c0-shopping on sites,tracking shopping progress through a status feed,or just simply sharing the latest deal.  Sharing the latest deal would be very simple to do,and benefits both the shopper and retailer.  The shopper gains fame through good-natured bragging,while the retailer gets exposure through word-of-mouth.

Tracking the status of friends as the meander from one shopping cart to the next is another way to socially share the experience.   The shopping path will spur conversation on where they found the best deals or the most unique items.  Similar to sharing the best deal shoppers can brag about their best deals,but also guide each other through Cyber Monday.

Finally,there is the idea of co-shopping.  Imagine an app where you and a friend can co-browse a shopping site.  Similar to an experience at the local mall or department store,friends can share a real-time experience.

Virtual co-shopping may not work on most days,but on Cyber Monday with so many people online, there seems to be an opportunity to leverage a virtual social shopping experience.  Of course with many good ideas there many be a drawback —you probably do not want management aware you are shopping while you are suppose to be working.