National retailers splashed "everything's on sale" banners on their sites Cyber Monday — the Body Shop 50 percent off, American Eagle, Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, Lands' End, Eddie Bauer 40 percent off, and J. Crew 30 percent off.

Discounts were hefty but not unusual. Similar storewide or sitewide discounts can be found during most sales.

But if shoppers were looking for Web deals found maybe only once or twice a year, they could have checked local sites. "Small businesses are increasingly promotional on Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday," said Dave Brennan, co-director of the University of St. Thomas Institute for Retailing Excellence.

Haskells.com took 20 percent off all of its gift cards. "The sale went through the roof," said Beau Farrell, vice president of Internet sales and marketing. "There were several times we thought the site might crash." This is the fourth Cyber Monday Haskell's has done the sale, which has grown every year. This year the sale extends through Wednesday. The cards can be used on regular or sale merchandise and do not expire or have fees.

Hennepin Theatre Trust rarely discounts tickets except through lotteries or student rush, but "Oliver!," "Motown the Musical," and "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" were discounted 25 to 50 percent. The 25 percent discount for Motown is available through Dec. 16 with discount code HOLLY. This is the fourth year that Hennepin Theatre has discounted on Cyber Monday.

The Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley rarely discounts its memberships, said Beth Burns, vice president for external affairs. "We decided to try an experiment that ran Black Friday through Cyber Monday," she said. The zoo took $25 off the Household and Grandparent Household memberships, which normally run $155.

Daily deal sites such as Crowdcut and Living Social offered an additional 15 to 25 percent off already discounted prices. Restaurants such as the Dakota gave away a $20 gift card with the purchase of $100 in gift cards on Black Friday but sweetened the deal for Cyber Monday by adding a bottle of Blue Note wine.

To find Cyber Monday deals, consumers should check their favorite sites. Chances are good that many small businesses are offering a 20 percent discount or more.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633