Web Shoppers Click on 'Cyber Monday'

Online shoppers took the Web by storm Monday, though shares in the big Internet retailers mostly failed to celebrate.

The first Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday is becoming the start of holiday shopping for Web merchants, just as Black Friday has long heralded the start of the high season for bricks-and-mortar retailers. A Shop.Org/BizRate survey found that 77% of online retailers were seeing a "substantial" increase in sales on what is now being called Cyber Monday.

"On Cyber Monday, consumers set their sights on surfing for holiday gifts and shopping online," said Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.Org, a trade association, in a statement. "This year, online retailers will be capitalizing on the increased traffic by offering special promotions and discounts." ...