Cyber Week 2024: A Testament to the Power of Composable Commerce

This year’s Cyber Week was game-changing for retailers and a defining moment for commercetools. Holiday shopping began earlier than ever this year, with sales launching as early as late October, signaling a shift in consumer behavior. Influenced by the rise of social commerce, economic challenges, and the growing buying power of younger generations, shoppers adapted to a new retail landscape. Yet, despite these changes, Cyber Week broke records, with Cyber Monday 2024 earning the title of the largest online shopping day in history.

At commercetools, our role during Cyber Week wasn’t simply about helping our customers handle traffic spikes. It was about empowering them to deliver seamless, exceptional experiences no matter the volume. And the results speak for themselves:  

• Total Black Friday sales reached $623M (GMV) - up 32% from 2023

• Total Cyber Week sales reached $1.77B - a 40% increase from 2023

• 13M total combined orders processed from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, a 26% increase from last year

• On Black Friday alone, our platform handled 9.2B requests with an average response time of 0.2s

• At peak time, our platform handled 4,500 orders per minute, with an average response time of .45 seconds

• Our average order value was $138

Most importantly, commercetools achieved 100% uptime throughout Cyber Week. In a season where downtime equates to lost sales and loyalty, this level of reliability is invaluable. In fact, a recent commercetools study found that 75% of business leaders believe their operations simply can’t afford any downtime during the holidays.  

This strategy not only enables businesses to manage traffic surges but also ensures seamless performance during sustained high-demand periods like Cyber Week. It empowers them to innovate, adapt, and scale throughout the year, no matter the challenge. Whether it’s launching new products, entering new markets, or responding to evolving consumer demands, composable commerce ensures retailers remain agile and competitive. 

While we’re proud of the incredible success our customers achieved this Cyber Week, our vision extends far beyond peak shopping events. At commercetools, we’re committed to enabling long-term success by providing a platform that helps retailers thrive year-round. 

Cyber Week may grab headlines, but for us, it’s just one part of the bigger picture. This year, we saw consumer behavior and technical trends emerge, such as a larger emphasis on AI in the shopping process, the continued rise of social commerce, and the dominance of mobile-based shopping. These trends are reshaping how retailers connect with their customers, and commercetools is here to empower these experiences in 2025 and beyond. 

As we reflect on this record-breaking Cyber Week, we look forward to continuing to partner with our customers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in commerce. Together, we’re building a future where no traffic spike is too big, no customer demand is too complex, and every single day is just another opportunity to succeed.