Nielsen: More than half of consumers plan to shop Black Friday, Cyber Monday deals

CHICAGO — According to Nielsen’s 2014 Holiday Retail Sales Forecast, nearly 25% of consumers polled had already started their holiday shopping in September. However, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still relevant, as 52% of respondents in a Black Friday/Cyber Monday survey stated that they plan to venture into stores on Black Friday and 55% of respondents stated that they plan to fire up their computers for Cyber Monday. 

 

This Nielsen online survey of 1,150 people found that while Black Friday is driven more by men, Cyber Monday skews more toward women. There are many other interesting gender differences when it comes to shopping on these two retail holidays. 

 

For example, one-fourth of consumers polled plan to undertake their first Black Friday store visits this year. These first timers are comprised of 29% of men polled and 22% of women polled. Men will actually spend more on Black Friday, with 31% of men planning to spend $250 to $500, as compared to 28% of women who have budgeted as much as $500. Men will be spending that money at electronic stores, followed by department stores, mass merchandisers, online and then club stores. Comparitively, women prefer to holiday shop at department stores, followed by mass merchandisers, online, electronic and then toy stores.

 

Half (50%) of men polled plan to shop on Cyber Monday and prefer to surf Cyber Monday deal websites followed by retailer websites. Men prefer to use their computer/laptop (90%), smartphone/cellphone (41%) or tablet (35%) to Cyber Monday shop. As many as 60% of women plan to shop on Cyber Monday and will be using their computer/laptop (88%), smartphone/cellphone (28%) or tablet (31%) to do so.