Though there won't be any physical crowds to battle on Cyber Monday, it's still a good idea to have a solid plan for your online gift buying this year. To avoid sell-outs, crashes and over-clicking, check out these helpful hints from some the top experts in the online retail game. And be sure to visit their sites for a few of the season's best Cyber Monday deals.
Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Founder & Chief Merchandising Officer, Gilt.com:
“View from the bottom up! Most visitors to flash sale sites start viewing the sale right at the top. A good tip is to do the opposite and go straight to the bottom, then scroll upwards. The merchandise towards the bottom of the screen doesn't tend get snatched into carts as quickly. Also, filter by size! There is no sense in falling in love with an item that just won’t fit! Sorting by relevant sizes will make you focus your attention appropriately."
Aslaug Magnusdottir, CEO & Founder, Moda Operandi:
“I think the best way to approach online shopping is to examine the real value in what’s being sold. Consumers have become much more sophisticated in how they define a deal and are resisting the sales pressure from heavily discounted product sold through flash-sale websites. I think consumers are realizing that there is more value in buying something you love at a higher price than buying something that you feel lukewarm about that’s discounted. I would encourage people to use e-commerce to find the unique and special product that makes a gift exceptional. In that spirit, our approach to Cyber Monday is to launch three impressive trunk shows of Kelly Wearstler home, Yossi Harari Fine Jewelry and Prince Dimitri Jewelry.”
Katia Beauchamp, Co-Founder, Birchbox:
“Target the sites that you frequent where you have built up loyalty points to redeem, or at the very least have saved credit card and shipping details. Don’t know where to start? Check out Pinterest for some product inspiration. My tip is start early. When you find sites you love, take the time to create an account - you’ll be breezing through checkout come Monday. And, to borrow from some popular start up themes - crowd source! Do you and your friends all have to shop for your boyfriend’s or husband’s cousins and grandmas? Divide and conquer! Split up categories and sites, and swap ideas! In some cases you might even want to agree on a budget and let them shop for you when they find a real gem!”
Lauren Wilner, Fashion Director, HSN:
“Don’t worry about the clock. I think that people that try to play beat the clock always wind up losing out. Stay focused on your gift list and always keep the recipients names in front of you, so that if you see something great you can buy it right away! Also, prior to hitting the web, I would make an organized chart of who you are getting gifts for and what type of gift you are looking for (for example, sister looking for something for home). This way, when you go to the various websites, you can be thoughtful and organized in what and who you are looking for.”
Indigo Clarke, American Editor, ASOS:
"Cyber Monday is very important for fashion e-tailers, it's all about giving your feet a rest and hitting the shops virtually to snap up the fall/winter looks you've been loving for way less. One tip - like any department store holiday sale, the key is making quick decisions - because there are millions of other shoppers with their eyes on the prize too!"
Eve Thomas, Fashion Editor, The Outnet:
“These days most online retailers have most wanted or wish list functions, so use them to start creating your gift buying lists. Think about all the people you need to buy for and purchase everything in one go, so that you aren’t paying for shipping multiple times. Usually there are lots of discount offers if you spend over a certain amount in the run up to the holidays so ordering everything at once may save you even more money.”
FASHION RELATED LINKS YOU MAY LOVE:
One White Button-Down: 10 Cool, New Ways to Wear It - FabSugar
Inside Gaga’s Twisted Holiday Workshop At Barneys New York - The Cut
Would You Wear A Short Wedding Dress? - Glamour
30 Cute (and Warm!) Boots - iVillage