RUSKIN, Fla. (WFLA)—The holiday shopping season is in full swing and this Cyber Monday is expected to break records.
According to Adobe Digital Insights, it is expected to be the largest online shopping day in history.
This Cyber Monday, News Channel 8 is getting an inside-look at how online orders are picked, packed and shipping at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Ruskin.RELATED: Amazon releases Cyber Monday preview, will offer 75,000+ deals
The fulfillment center is more than 1 million square feet- about the size of 28 football fields- and employs more than 3,500 full-time employees.
Last year on Cyber Monday, Amazon customers ordered more than 54 million items worldwide and it’s expected this year will be even bigger. On Cyber Monday last year, Amazon customers purchased more than 33 electronics items per second on mobile devices alone.
A new feature Amazon has launched for the holiday season is Package X-Ray. Using the Amazon App, customers are able to scan package labels to see what is inside boxes before they open them. You won’t be able to peek inside any boxes that aren’t addressed to you.
Cyber Monday may be one the biggest shopping days of the year and as people take to their computers to shop, workers and robots right here in the Tampa Bay area are helping make it all possible.
“We actually have robots carry stacks of products to the associates and they pick from that and they put it in the tote which you see behind us and then the associates pack it so they really all work seamlessly together,” said Stephany Rochon, an Amazon Spokesperson.
The online retailer can be a one stop shop for customers, with toys and electronics among the most coveted items.
“I think it’s really because of the convenience and also the value. They know, at Amazon, they are going to get the best price. We scour for deals every day to meet or beat prices for our customers,” said Rochon.
If you are looking for something you can’t find at a big box store, look no further than the Amazon handmade section.
Rachel O’Neill is a local artist and the owner of Loftipop, based in Sarasota. O’Neill handcrafts items that can be shipped directly to you.
“You are definitely able to shop small, even on Amazon,” said O’Neill.
Tampa is one of the select markets in the United States that has Prime Now, Same Day and Sunday Delivery. For more Amazon Cyber Monday deals, visit amazon.com/Cyber-Monday.
