• Reuters, Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:46 AM

So-called "Cyber Monday," the Monday after Thanksgiving, is losing its importance as part of the crazy weekend making up the busiest shopping days of the year. Retailers still receive a considerable spike in online sales, but the day pales as online retailers offer sales discounts earlier in the holiday season.

"The holiday season is starting earlier and earlier every year, which is what consumers joke about, but it's honestly happening," says Heather Dougherty, of the traffic measurement firm Hitwise. "People are going online and researching products before the holiday gets started."

"Cyber Monday" gets its name from the retailer network Shop.org. It is largely considered a day when many people log onto the Web at work to shop for deals. However, despite the hype, "Cyber Monday" isn't even the busiest online shopping day of the years.

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