Despite the notion that Cyber Monday isn’t really a day at all and more people make online purchases say on December 21st versus the Monday following Black Friday - retailers used the day send out millions of promotional emails to online consumers hungry for the best deal.

According to DMNews.com, 55% more retailers used emails to advertise store incentives this year than they did in 2006. 

The fluctuating economy is one cause of the dramatic increase in the wave of consumer driven emails.  Timing and the ability to piggyback on the frenzy that goes along with Black Friday is another factor that propels comapnies to hit ’send’ by the thousands the following Monday.

And it doesn’t stop there!  Echo Mondays describes the two or three Mondays that follow Cyber Monday up until Christmas day.  Retailers unleash the real advertising push the Mondays after Cyber Monday, sending out more emails, discounts, and ultimately reasons to buy online.  Sam’s Club went so far as to start a Cyber Monday club that keeps members in the loop of extra savings and incentives.  

Judging by the massive lines, in-store brawls, and frenzy that occurs for single items, Black Friday was alive and kicking.  But what about Cyber Monday?  According to comScore Networks, Cyber Monday revenues increased a mere 9% from the prior Tuesday.  Furthermore, Nielsen/NetRatings cited a 25% rise in online shopping at work the Saturday following Black Friday - a number not matched a few days later on Monday.   

Ultimately, according to research by comScore, online retailers made $733 million on Cyber Monday, which is 20% more than what was made in 2006.  The mass emails laden with discounts eventually hurt retailers however, as the average dollar spend per buyer dropped 12%.