The Holiday Shopping Season- What Retailers Should Know

By Author: Jamie Hanson
Total Articles: 3495
Comment this article

As November is well in swing, so it the holiday shopping season. The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales to rise 2.3% this year reaching $447.1 billion, which is great news for retailers. In the wake of holiday spending being on the rise, retailers need to be aware of that consumers will be up to this holiday shopping season.

This season, shoppers are starting early. Nearly half of all shoppers already have Christmas presents bought. Many women are reported to have started shopping as early as August. Shoppers are taking advantage of great prices and getting more for their money. In order for retailers to capitalize on early shopping trends, retailers need to have up-to-date websites along with e-mail lists. E-mails inform consumers about the latest sales and promotions. These sales and promotions can lure consumers into the store or on to a retailers' website.

Cyber Monday is essentially the new Black Friday. Shoppers are taking advantage of the ability to be able to shop on the web. Traditionally, the Monday following Thanksgiving is the busiest and most profitable day for online retailers to cash ...
... in on the holiday shopping profits. Cyber Monday deals are very much equal to those deals one may find in a store on Black Friday. The only difference? No waiting in line to make a purchase and no driving around in circles looking for a parking spot. The images of online products are now more life-like than ever. With MediaSpin360, online shoppers get a life-like look at a product without having to ever step foot inside a store. Shoppers do not have to second guess their purchases.

The National Retail Federation states that 40.6% of holiday shoppers plan on using coupons this year. In order for retailers to capitalize on gaining more customers, retailers need to offer coupons. Coupons are often an important deciding factor on what products on consumer chooses to purchases. Retailers should send out e-mail coupons and provide printable coupons on their website.

Shopping via the mobile phone is on the rise this year. It is expected that mobile commerce sales reach over $2 billion dollars this year. As mobile shopping becomes more and more of a trend, you are now able to shop on the go and experience the features you would as if you were shopping online or in-stores. For instance, with Preface Media mobile phone applications, you are able to zoom, spin, pan, and see every angle of a product before you hit purchase. To profit on the trend of mobile phone shopping, retailers will need to design websites and marketing campaigns that are user-friendly and easy-to-read on mobile phones. Any e-mails should be sent in text and HTML to ensure that they can be read on mobile devices.

It's still a fact, there will always be last minute holiday shoppers. Last minute shoppers are looking for great deals and quick delivery if shopping online. Sending out e-mails and text message alerts are a great way to reach last minute shoppers. Offering free, express shipping is a great way to lure in last minute shoppers who need their gifts to arrive quickly.

Enjoy a happy and pleasant holiday shopping at prefacemedia.com