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Cyber Monday Threatens Local Businesses 11/25/12
Cyber Monday Threatens Local Businesses 11/25/12
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
November 25, 2012
ODESSA, TX - As shopping season is in full swing, the use of technology is making it easier for consumers to buy holiday gifts online. But the new cyber trend is threatening many local businesses.
"From a business perspective, as for ourselves of course we want the people to come out here and be able to shop that way well be able to sell even more. So a lot of times what happens is people go online and they don't stop by the malls anymore," said Odessa business owner Carmen Anchondo.
Carmen Anchondo is the owner of Pashminas, a small Odessa business. But she is also a Cyber Monday consumer as well, which creates a battle of emotions when its time for her to purchase a gift.
"Personally I love it [Cyber Monday]… that way I don't have to wait in line. I don’t have to see if things are available," said Anchondo.
What makes this Cyber Monday so special is the use of more apps on cell phones. Now consumers can make your purchases wherever they go.
The National Retail Foundation reported that more than 122 million Americans planned to shop on Cyber Monday last year and that number is expected to increase this year.
In order to combat this techno trend, owner of Inside Crystal Images of Texas decided to hit the web and create a site before the big day.
"I think it’s [Cyber Monday] going to be a good thing for us. We have an online store that will hopefully have it up by Monday, so it can be included in that," stated Michael Garza, owner of Inside Crystal Images of Texas.
Now local small businesses are forced to battle these online deals by large corporations to keep consumers this Cyber Monday.