In the annals of retail history, few phenomena have captured the imagination quite like Cyber Monday. Born in the early days of eCommerce, Cyber Monday has evolved into Cyber Week and quickly outgrew its Black Friday cousin, which is starting to look positively archaic in a world where the experience economy is king and the customer experience is queen. Take a look at its history and you can see how it has evolved from a humble marketing ploy to a global spending spree that has made even the most cynical Wall Street traders raise an eyebrow. Here’s how it started. Picture this: It’s 2005, and the National Retail Federation (NRF) is scratching its collective head, wondering how to get a piece of that Thanksgiving weekend Black Friday-centric action for online retailers . Black Friday was already a thing, but what about those newfangled internet shops? Enter Ellen Davis, a young NRF PR whiz, who coined the term “Cyber Monday.” Little did she know she was about to create a monster — a benevolent, discount-dealing monster, but a monster nonetheless. Why Monday, you ask? Well, back in the dark ages of the early 2000s, not everyone had high-speed internet at home. Shocking in hindsight. So, the idea was, people would return to work on Monday, fire up their lightning-fast office computers (probably running Windows XP), and shop till they dropped — or at least until the boss walked by. The New York Times , in all its infinite wisdom, initially pooh-poohed the idea, hoping it wouldn’t catch on. Spoiler alert: it did. By 2010, Cyber Monday sales had already broken the billion-dollar barrier. Take that, Gray Lady! As the years rolled by, Cyber Monday grew faster than a tech startup’s valuation. By 2019, it was raking in a cool $9.4 billion . But wait, there’s more! The pandemic hit, and suddenly everyone was shopping online like it was going out of style. In 2022, Cyber Monday sales topped a whopping $11 billion. That’s a lot of discounted socks and gadgets. From Monday to Madness What started as a single day of deals has now morphed into a week-long extravaganza. Retailers, not content with just 24 hours of frenzied purchasing, extended their sales into what’s now known as “Cyber Week.” Because why have one day of impulse buying when you can have seven? So, in the red corner, we have Black Friday. In the blue corner, Cyber Monday. Who will win this retail rumble? Well, in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Cyber Monday came out swinging, beating Black Friday’s sales by a significant margin. In 2023, Cyber Monday flexed its digital muscles with $12.4 billion in sales, outpacing Black Friday by $2.6 billion. That’s like finding an extra billion in the retail industry’s couch cushions — three times over. As we look to the future, one thing is clear: Cyber Monday isn’t going anywhere. Projections for 2024 suggest we’ll see a staggering $13.2 billion in sales. And what can we expect from Cyber Monday 2024? Well, if you’re in the market for Bluetooth headphones, the latest “Call of Duty” game, or a Bluey Ultimate Lights and Sound Playhouse (don’t ask, just buy), you’re in luck. And if you’re wondering about discounts, electronics are expected to see cuts of up to 30%, while apparel will likely be marked down by 23%. Time to stock up on those designer sweatpants you’ve been eyeing! As we raise a glass (or a mouse) to Cyber Monday, let’s remember its humble beginnings. From dial-up dreams to digital dollars, it’s a testament to our collective love of a good deal — and our ability to shop productively while looking busy at work. Here’s to you, Cyber Monday. May your servers stay strong and your discounts stay deep.United Airlines travelers with lost luggage have a new tool to track their bags. If the lost bag has an Apple AirTag in it, that information can now be passed directly to United, the airline announced Thursday. The new feature, called Share Item Location, allows travelers with an AirTag or other Find My network accessory to share the location with the airline’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event it’s misplaced. United says more than 99% of its customers pick up their luggage without a hitch. The feature is now available with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 or macOS 15.2. “Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer. Travelers on United whose bags do not arrive at their destination can file a delayed baggage report with United and share the link to the item’s location either through the United app or via text message. After the report has been submitted, customer service agents will be able to locate the item on an interactive map alongside a timestamp of a recent update. The shared location will be disabled after a customer has the bag, and customers can also stop sharing the location of the item at any time on their own. The location link will also automatically expire after seven days. Using AirTags or other tracking devices on luggage is increasingly popular among frequent travelers, with a significant boom following the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown , which displaced thousands of travelers over Christmas and into 2023, alongside much of their belongings. United says lost bags are rare, with more than 99% of its customers arriving with their bags. It says the new technology will help those with lost bags to recover them more quickly because the airline will have more information about them. Apple previously announced the new service will also be integrated at other air carriers, including Delta Air Lines. Others include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!As VanderSat continues to push the boundaries of remote sensing technology and data analysis, the case of Teng Haag stands as a testament to the power of understanding the interconnectedness of all things. While the results may not always match expectations, the journey of discovery and learning is just as important as the destination.

In addition to the meeting in Dubai, China has also been actively engaged in bilateral and multilateral efforts to enhance nuclear security and promote non-proliferation. Through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, China has sought to promote cooperation in nuclear energy development, capacity-building, and technology transfer with countries around the world.

Does Mark Gastineau belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? It’s a question being posed anew this week as the 1981 are proving more newsworthy than the 2024 New York Jets. A clip of profiling the Jets’ famed “New York Sack Exchange,” which debuts Friday night, showed Gastineau, the most prolific pass rusher in franchise history, at a card show in Chicago last year. The reason? Gastineau remains upset that Favre essentially gave himself up on what was largely a meaningless play at the end of a 2001 game against the New York Giants – but one that resulted in future Hall of Famer Michael Strahan breaking Gastineau’s 17-year-old (at the time) single-season NFL sack record. “I know that Mark was upset with Brett Favre,” Gastineau’s longtime Jets linemate, Marty Lyons, told USA TODAY Sports this week. “I was there, and I told him, ‘Mark, you’ve got to let it go.’ And he wasn’t gonna let it go. ... It’s just a number, and it’s already been . “But for Mark to carry that burden so many years after the fact, it’s sad. It really is. ... (I)t’s been eating at Mark all these years – he wasn’t able to let go and to move on. Did it mean that much to him? Apparently, it did.” A three-time All-Pro, Gastineau led the NFL in sacks both in 1983 (with 19) and 1984, when racked up 22 to set the record. Strahan finished with 221⁄2 after his dubious takedown of Favre, a figure Watt matched in 2021. “You really hurt me. You hurt me, Brett,” Gastineau could be heard saying in the video clip of the brief encounter, Favre appearing slightly stunned before being escorted away. 22 years after losing the NFL single-season sack record, Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre for ‘taking a dive’ on the record-breaking play. Catch the latest , 'The New York Sack Exchange,' on ESPN and ESPN+ starting Dec. 13. — ESPN (@espn) Favre explained his side of the story in a lengthy social media post Tuesday but also seemed to endorse Gastineau as HOF-worthy. “I have a great deal of respect for Mark. I hope one day he joins me in the Hall of Fame,” Favre wrote on X. “He earned it. Look at his numbers.” I have a great deal of respect for Mark. I hope one day he joins me in the Hall of Fame. He earned it. Look at his numbers. He eclipsed 20 sacks twice and had 19 in another year! (7) — Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) While Watt seems a shoo-in to eventually join Favre and Strahan in Canton one day, Gastineau – a five-time Pro Bowler with 1071⁄2 career sacks (74 occurring after they became an official statistic in 1982) – has no bronze bust. Should he? “Listen, it’s a valid question. I’ve always believed that if you’re that good, you don’t have to be out there promoting yourself, you know?” said Lyons, Gastineau’s teammate from 1979 to ’88. “Does Mark deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? You know, the numbers will say yes – but to be honest with you, I don’t know. “Did he play for the (sacks)? Or did he play for the game, did he play for his teammates?” It’s just one issue at the center of Gastineau’s candidacy. At 6-5 and a sculpted 265 pounds – and Gastineau was an admitted user of steroids, as were many NFL players of his era – he was ultra athletic and the kind of explosive talent who helped shape what the modern edge rusher has become. But he was also often accused of ignoring his gap responsibilities or failing to focus on defending the run as he pursued quarterbacks. That distinguished Gastineau from another “Sack Exchange” member, Joe Klecko. A Pro Bowler at defensive end, defensive tackle and nose tackle, Klecko had 31 sacks (unofficially) spread between the 1980 and ’81 seasons but also spent much of his career leveraging his signature strength and doing the dirty work inside. Klecko was enshrined into the Hall last year after a 35-year wait. Whether Gastineau joins him seems likely to remain an open question. “I think Mark was an outstanding defensive end, he could get to the quarterback,” said Lyons. “Was he one-dimensional? Maybe. Did he think that every play was a pass? Maybe – but he could get to the quarterback.” Lyons, a close friend of Klecko’s for decades, has admittedly had a complicated relationship with Gastineau, frequently offering him support – including when Gastineau was diagnosed with colon cancer – but just as often clashing with a man who’s had his share of challenges on and off the field. “I don’t live in the past,” said Lyons. “I told Mark, ‘There’s an old saying: Your future happiness may very well depend on your ability to leave the past behind.' “I’ve always wished Mark the best.” ***

Overall, the distribution of the top 30 weekly earners in the English Premier League paints a picture of the competitive landscape of one of the most popular and lucrative football leagues in the world. With clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham investing heavily in top talent, the fight for supremacy on the field is matched only by the battle for financial supremacy off it. As fans eagerly anticipate the next season of English Premier League action, one thing is certain - the wages of the top players will continue to be a topic of interest and debate in the world of football.Furthermore, China Life's solid financial performance is supported by its strong risk management capabilities and prudent investment strategies. The company has maintained a conservative investment approach and diversified its investment portfolio to mitigate risks and maximize returns for policyholders.

HBO And Cablevision Founder Charles Dolan Remembered As “Visionary” And “Fearless Entrepreneur”

But perhaps the most intriguing question surrounding Ronaldo's future is whether he can continue playing at the highest level beyond the age of 45. While age is typically considered a limiting factor in professional sports, Ronaldo has shown time and time again that he is anything but typical. His relentless drive for success, competitive spirit, and insatiable hunger for goals have set him apart from his peers.

While these traditional indicators may seem like charming folklore, is there any scientific validity to the "Three Ones" proverb? Meteorologists and climate scientists often emphasize the complexity of weather patterns and the limitations of using simple observations to forecast long-term trends accurately. However, there are some plausible explanations that could link certain natural phenomena to winter weather patterns.Elizabeth Arden's Red Door perfume that 'lasts all day' now £21 down from £65 in better than Black Friday deal

Aussies lash out at SHOCKING ruling that robbed side of a crucial wicket in Boxing Day Test against India

Overall, the news that Victor Lindelof could be set to return this week is a positive development for Manchester United, and fans will be eagerly awaiting his comeback. With the team continuing to battle on multiple fronts, having key players back in action will be vital as they look to finish the season strongly and achieve their objectives.