Target’s website couldn’t keep up with an overload of Cyber Monday shoppers as the retailer deals with record online traffic.
The site was down intermittently starting around 10 a.m. Monday, according to Catchpoint Systems, which monitors web performance of retail sites. Customers received a message asking them to “hold tight.”
Target has set up a virtual line for customers, giving people access to the site gradually in order to control traffic, says Katie Boylan, a spokeswoman for Target. Some customers are still getting an apology message from the retailer, asking them to try again shortly.
“We are seeing an absolutely extraordinary response to our Cyber Monday offer,” Boylan said. Target is offering 15% off site-wide, plus free shipping on every order. “The traffic, the demand, the orders are just absolutely through the roof.”
Target says volume is already twice as high as its busiest day ever, which was Thanksgiving.
Online sales have been driving the holiday season so far, as more people chose to shop online over stores during Thanksgiving weekend, according to figures from the National Retail Federation. Many retailers made Black Friday deals available online before they were available in stores last week and have invested in optimized mobile and Web experiences that make browsing and shopping easier.
Customers flood into a Target in Jersey City, N.J. on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, 2015. The retailer is experiencing record traffic to its site on Cyber Monday, which continues to lead to delays for some customers. (Photo: AP Images for Target)
Target isn’t the first to experience site glitches during the busiest shopping period of the year. On Monday morning, PayPal “experienced a brief, intermittent interruption in our service,” the company said in a statement, as some customers experienced issues. The problem has been resolved. And Neiman Marcus’ site went down on Black Friday, leading the department store to extend its Black Friday sale.
Fewer people are expected to shop online Monday compared with last year, according to NRF data.
Hadley Malcolm on Twitter: @hadleypdxdc.
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