Retailers Generate Record-Setting Online Holiday Sales

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, online sales hit $91.7 billion, up 11 percent from $82.5 billion a year ago, according to a report by Adobe Insights. The 2016 holiday season also broke a major e-commerce record: Cyber Monday became the biggest online shopping day in U.S. history, generating $3.45 billion in online sales, up 12 percent from 2015. Black Friday wasn’t far behind, with sales jumping nearly 22 percent year-over-year to $3.34 billion. Mobile and tablets accounted for 50 percent of web visits during the 2016 holiday season, driving 31 percent of purchases and generating $28.43 billion in revenue (up 23 percent from last year).

Total Retail's Take: These numbers just confirm what we already know — consumers are increasingly choosing to shop and make purchases online, whether it be on a desktop computer, smartphone or tablet. Those retailers that adapt their businesses to meet the needs of today's digital consumers will be those that thrive; those that do not will struggle to survive. This is why you see traditional brick-and-mortar retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Macy's and many others dumping so much money into growing their e-commerce businesses. It's no secret that the future of commerce is digital — it's been trending that way for years. Being able to seamlessly integrate physical stores and digital together into one holistic experience for customers is key to future success.