The long weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for family gatherings, enjoying leftovers, and increasingly, diving into online shopping. Known as the “Cyber 5″—the five-day stretch from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday—this period has become a significant opportunity for retailers and brands to connect with consumers eager to score deals and holiday gifts.
The Surge in Online Shopping
Last year, the Cyber 5 saw unprecedented engagement, with record-breaking numbers of consumers flocking online for holiday shopping. As search interest ramps up in mid-November, consumers begin hunting for the best deals on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and throughout the entire weekend. This trend highlights a growing preference for online shopping, with 58% of U.S. shoppers indicating they prefer to shop online during the Cyber 5 rather than in-store. Among these shoppers, 74% believe they’ll find better prices online, and 78% favor the convenience of online shopping.
The Power of E-Commerce During Cyber 5
The dominance of online shopping is clear. For instance, Black Friday e-commerce sales in the U.S. surged by 8.5% year-over-year, while in-store sales saw a modest increase of just 1.1%. Despite the opportunities in in-store retail media, online shopping remains the primary focus during this period. Consumers are drawn to digital ads promoting sales, with 51% of U.S. digital shoppers paying close attention to retail media ads for discounted products and 44% making purchases based on these ads.
Tapping into Consumer Behavior
The key to engaging shoppers during the Cyber 5 lies in understanding their preferences and behaviors. Many consumers are already using various devices and communication channels, such as mobile phones and messaging apps like WhatsApp, to shop. Retail media networks must adapt their ad strategies to align with these habits and meet advertiser expectations.
Leverage VuePlanner for Cyber 5 Success
At VuePlanner, we recognize the tremendous opportunity this presents for advertisers. To help you make the most of the holiday season, we’ve developed specialized collections tailored to various holiday topics, including Black Friday Shopping, Holiday TV and Movies Holiday Shopping and Gifts, Holiday Recipes, and more. These collections are designed to engage viewers precisely when they are most likely to take action related to the holidays.
Are you ready to capture the attention of the millions of consumers turning to YouTube during this critical shopping period? VuePlanner’s Cyber Weekend package is designed to help you effectively reach this vast audience and drive your campaign’s success. Explore how our tailored solutions can enhance your visibility and impact during the Cyber 5.