San Juan, Puerto Rico – Cyber Monday continues to reshape the holiday shopping habits of Puerto Rican households. The online shopping extravaganza has become a tradition, fostering increased online activity and encouraging more conscious consumerism, according to experts interviewed by EL VOCERO.

Adobe Analytics projects that Cyber Monday will remain the biggest shopping day in the United States, with sales expected to reach $13.2 billion this year, a 6.1% increase from last year. This marks the largest online shopping day ever, with over 53% of total spending projected to occur on mobile devices, setting a new record.   

Wilton Vargas, a tech expert and founder of Tecnético, attributes the growing popularity of Cyber Monday to increased internet accessibility. More people are becoming aware of the event and taking advantage of the deals offered by Puerto Rican businesses, he noted.

Vargas emphasized that the convenience of shopping from anywhere, anytime, using smartphones and other devices, has solidified Cyber Monday's position as the biggest shopping day, surpassing Black Friday.

While electronics were once the go-to items during Cyber Monday and Black Friday, consumer preferences have diversified, according to Vargas. "Electronics aren't as popular as they used to be. Each year, different types of products gain traction," he said.

Technological advancements and increased internet usage have also influenced Black Friday sales, driving more consumers to shop online. As Black Friday has expanded its online presence, the lines between the two events have blurred, Vargas explained.   

"In Puerto Rico, Black Friday has become a hybrid event with both online and in-store shopping, while Cyber Monday remains focused on online sales," he said.

EL VOCERO interviewed several shoppers eagerly awaiting Cyber Monday deals. Pedro Ortiz (pseudonym), a photographer, had been searching for an external hard drive for a week, expecting to find better deals on Cyber Monday. Although he secured a 30% discount, it wasn't as significant as he had hoped.

Ruben Rivera, 29, wasn't looking for anything specific but stumbled upon an Apple offer that included a $75 gift card with the purchase of AirPods.

Francisco Gonzalez de la Mata, undersecretary of Puerto Rico's Consumer Affairs Agency (DACO), said the agency is working to ensure transparency in online sales and monitor discriminatory sales practices. He urged consumers to keep transaction records, shop on secure websites, and report any complaints.

De la Mata noted that consumer complaints about the unavailability of certain products on Amazon for Puerto Rico shipments are expected to increase during Cyber Monday. The agency will address these complaints and take necessary actions against the relevant companies.

Experts warn that cyber fraud may increase during Cyber Monday. They advise consumers to keep their computers and smartphones up-to-date, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Cyber Monday has become a significant event, driving growth in Puerto Rico's online shopping market and transforming consumer spending habits. However, consumers must remain vigilant against cyber threats and seek assistance from consumer protection agencies to ensure a safe shopping experience.

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