ATLANTA – In a record-breaking trend, Americans are projected to shell out over $14 billion this Cyber Monday, marking a 6% increase from last year, according to the latest figures from Adobe Analytics. This surge underscores Cyber Monday’s standing as one of the peak online shopping days of the holiday season.

To meet the heightened consumer demand, Amazon has strategically hired 6,000 temporary workers in Georgia, contributing to its extensive nationwide efforts to bolster its workforce for the holiday rush. The retail giant operates 34 facilities in Georgia and an additional eight in South Carolina, supporting a combined workforce of approximately 40,000 employees across these two states.

“We’ve rolled out a variety of deals, including lightning deals refreshing every five minutes, and these offers will be available until midnight,” stated Daniel Martin, a spokesperson for Amazon, highlighting the company’s commitment to competitive pricing.

This year, Amazon reports high demand for certain products. According to Martin, “The release of ‘Wicked’ has been a significant contributor to sales. We’re offering discounts of up to 30% on Wicked toys, up to 30% on Legos, and as much as 50% on electronics and Amazon devices.”

• JBL speakers
• Wicked movie figurines and toys
• Lego kits
• Stanley water bottles
• Amazon devices like the Echo and Echo Show

“This year, Wicked has just come out, and that’s a big driver,” Martin said. “We’re offering up to 30 percent off Wicked toys, up to 30 percent off Legos, and up to 50 percent off electronics and Amazon devices.”

Adobe’s projections show shoppers are spending $16 million online every minute during this year’s Cyber Monday surge, making it one of the largest digital shopping days on record.

With a spike in online activity, Amazon is also urging shoppers to stay alert to fake deals, suspicious links, and scam websites.

“No matter what, always verify through the Amazon app or through Amazon.com,” Martin said. “If you see a discount code or an item elsewhere, double-check it directly. Trust but verify.”

Researchers say the busiest online shopping period for Cyber Monday will be Monday night between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., when many retailers roll out final-hour markdowns.

Amazon says it has invested $23 billion in Georgia since 2010, and independent Amazon sellers shipped 76 million units last year alone.

The term “Cyber Monday” was coined by the National Retail Federation in 2005 and has since grown into one of the biggest online shopping events in the world.