ARLINGTON (CBS 11 NEWS) - Cyber Monday, like its Black Friday cousin, is evolving with earlier bargains and sales. Even so, consumers are expected to spend $1.5 billion on Cyber Monday 2012.  But in the bigger picture, online holiday sales overall are expected to rise by nearly 20% over last year.  That means retailers are doing more to lure shoppers like Arlington resident Barbara McGowan.

“We do a lot of shopping on line,” McGowan said.  “When you’ve got nine grandkids and four children you shop online.  Its a lot cheaper.”

McGowan and other shoppers have grown to realize its a lot less hassle too.

“Its a lot safer in front of my computer than at the mall and a lot less headache,” said UTA Marketing Professor Traci Freling.

Consumers realize that in a big way.  Some expect  online sales will account for 10% of U.S. holiday sales for the first time in history.  And that’s changing how retailers are coming after your dollars in the digital domain.  Online-only deals promise more savings than black friday.  There’s often no shipping fee.  And Wal-Mart is recognizing what is already becoming a reality, Cyber Monday is evolving.

“Its not even Cyber Monday any more,” Freling said.  “Its maybe cyber week with Monday being the end of it.”

And the cyber marketing is going beyond computers. Internet Retailer report E-mail marketing has increased 20-percent since last year.  The marketing reaches you no matter where you are thanks to smart phones and tablets.  And maybe its working.

“If you look at the statistics from just this weekend, about half the shopping that happened over the course of the weekend beginning on Thanksgiving Day this year was online,” Freling said.

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