Mercent, a technology company that enables retailers to reach out to and convert more shoppers online, released its Mercent Retail eCommerce Performance Index for Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday 2011. The quarterly report measures year-over-year growth of same-seller gross merchandise value (GMV) for national brand name retailers selling across leading eCommerce sales channels. Mercent supplements its quarterly distribution of the MEPI with annual holiday MEPI reports measuring key shopping days during the holiday selling season.

  • For the 24 hours of Thursday, November 24, 2011 (Thanksgiving), same-seller GMV for retailers selling through Mercent Retail increased 18% relative to the same 24-hour period in 2010. In this same period, same-seller GMV for Mercent retail clients participating in Amazon’s “Selling on Amazon” third-party marketplace program grew 28% relative to Thanksgiving Day 2010; and 34% relative to the five calendars days leading up to Thanksgiving Day 2011.
  • For the 24 hours of Friday, November 25, 2011 (Black Friday), same-seller online retail GMV for merchants selling through Mercent Retail increased by 23% relative to the same period in 2010. Mercent estimates during this same period, same-seller GMV for clients participating in Amazon’s “Selling on Amazon” third-party marketplace program increased by 27% versus Black Friday 2010.

eCommerce Growth for Key 2011 Holiday Online Selling Days

Online Shopping Channels All Amazon November 24th
– Thanksgiving Day 18% 28% November 25th
– Black Friday 23% 27%* estimated

“Over the Thanksgiving weekend in 2010, consumers spent more online as a percentage of total retail sales than ever before. Based on Mercent’s eCommerce Performance Index results for 48 hours of Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2011, this year’s holiday selling season is showing equal promise.Same-seller GMV for Mercent retail clients grew 18% on Thanksgiving Day and 23% on Black Friday over the same periods in 2010.” – Mercent CEO Eric Best

“Consumers remain price and value-focused, but appear to be opening their wallets as much this year as they did in 2010. As the holiday selling season continues, it will be important for retailers to sustain sales momentum through aggressive online marketing promotions,” he added.