Is Cyber Monday good for local business?

Around 75 million people are expected to go cyber Monday shopping, according to the National Retail federation.

Most of that business will be conducted at large stores like Amazon, but some of it will go to small businesses too.

“Cyber Monday is one of biggest days of the year,” Polly Perez, the head of marketing at Watson's Chocolate, said.

Perez said that it's all hands on deck for the biggest online shopping day of the year.

“From an inventory stand point we do just as much online as we do in anyone of our stores this time of year," she said.

However, Watson's experience with Cyber Monday is unique. According to Charles Lindsey, an associate professor of Marketing, at the University at Buffalo, Cyber Monday isn't a day for increased revenue for these companies.

“Unfortunately, cyber Monday is just another day for small businesses," Lindsey said. “You're competing with online platforms. Amazon is going to take in more than 50 percent of online shopping."

However, Lindsey also says it has gotten a little better for small businesses since the ability to make your own website and sell goods on it has gotten easier.

“Given the ease with which a small business can offer goods online and deliver goods and what have you, I think it has leveled the playing field to a certain extent,” he said.

Have a news tip, question or comment?