Holiday Shopping Trends To Influence Your Marketing Strategy

Are the gears in your holiday marketing plan already moving? Have you solidified all of the details? Do you have a clear direction on how you’re going to maximize your resources to yield a successful holiday sales cycle? Here are a few tips to consider:

Retail Sales

Taking a look at the retail trends from the last few years is a great way to add insight to your holiday marketing plan. Nearly 20% of total retail sales happen between November and December, where sales are projected to reach $617 billion in 2015. Starting early and planning ahead will ensure your business can get in on the action.

Shopping Days

Black Friday used to be the busiest day for shopping, but the rise in online shopping is changing the way consumers shop. Black Friday, while still a big deal, is not the biggest money-maker of the year. Many stores now open on Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday has picked up a lot of steam. Shoppers are buying all season long and looking for the best deals. Starting promotions early and running throughout the holiday season is a great way to keep business flowing throughout the holiday months.

Multichannel Retailing

Multichannel retailing is very important for today’s shoppers. A significant number of people consult the web before making their purchase, and the numbers keep climbing each year. Shoppers do their homework, checking product reviews and making price comparisons. The majority of customers still buy in-store vs. online. Making the transition between the two should be simple. For the retailer, this means consistency in promotions and pricing. Shopping apps and mobile coupons can put you top-of-mind and help persuade shoppers to choose your store over a competitor’s.

Mobile Shopping

Many people truly believe that they can get a better deal online. Online shopping on a computer still holds the majority as far as the preferred shopping device is concerned. The screen is larger, and shoppers can get a better view of the product, read reviews and view checkout information without scrolling.

Larger mobile screen sizes trend toward increased mobile shopping with improved visibility over previous mobile solutions. It is easier than ever before for customers to checkout. Having a mobile-friendly website or shopping app allows for a greatly improved user experience.

Social Media

Social media inspires spending and influences opinion. Shoppers use social media to read product reviews, search for discounts and post/share what they’ve purchased. It’s a great way for retailers to interact with customers. Promote interaction between social media outlets and your website. Use social media for promotions and marketing campaigns to ensure you are reaching as many people as possible.

Below is an infographic that we hope inspires your planning as we swiftly move into the most consumer-driven time of year.