Deliver In Person’s Post

Shoppers love loyalty prices, our survey shows. But how genuine are the deals? And are they fair on shoppers who don’t have one? Our exclusive survey reveals all

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Radial Inc.'s annual Peak Consumer Survey data shows that 90% of people will have started their holiday shopping before Dec. 1. The report, as covered by Chain Store Age, also stresses the need for speed. Shoppers have expectations and it's up to brands to deliver or 73% of people won't be returning customers. Read on for more consumer expectations and how brands must adapt to keep the holiday cheer.

Christmas Shoppers Demand Speed: Faster Delivery Times Are a Must! A new survey reveals that Christmas shoppers have higher expectations than ever when it comes to delivery speed. With the rise of e-commerce and the convenience of fast delivery services, consumers are no longer willing to wait for their packages. Key findings: - Faster Delivery: 75% of shoppers expect their Christmas orders to arrive within 2-3 days. - Free Shipping: Offering free shipping is essential to attract and retain customers. - Real-Time Tracking: Consumers want to track their orders in real-time to know exactly when to expect delivery. Retailers must invest in efficient shipping and logistics to meet these growing expectations and ensure a positive holiday shopping experience. https://ow.ly/maoy50TRmLg #ChristmasShopping #ConsumerTrends #Shipping #Ecommerce How are you meeting the demand for faster delivery during the Christmas season?

If you're not. You should be! The week leading up to Christmas is always a mad dash for last-minute gifts. Our data shows a significant spending surge in the days before Christmas – Friday, Dec 22nd, 2023, saw a huge +44% increase compared to the previous Friday! This year, Super Saturday lands perfectly on Dec 21st. With four clear days before Christmas, shoppers can visit stores and grab those final gifts without the stress of travel or bank holidays. Here's what to expect on Super Saturday 2024: ▪️ +32% Increase in Spending: Beauclair's ambassador ✨Diane Wehrle SFIPM forecasts spending in towns and cities to be 32% higher on Dec 21st compared to the previous Saturday! ▪️ Outperforming 2023: Super Saturday 2024 is expected to see a +25% increase in spending compared to the same day in 2023. Prepare for a busy Super Saturday! Make sure your shelves are stocked and staff are ready for the influx of shoppers looking for last-minute deals. ✨

Bold (maybe) prediction. The week after Christmas is going to see a major lift YoY compared to 2023. Why? If you look at the breakdown of visits pre and post Christmas, a lot of impact seems to be correlated with the calendar. For example, if the day before Christmas is a Sunday, expect a major surge in visits as the pre-holiday shopping period gets extended with an off day. If, however, Christmas falls on a Saturday, the post-Christmas shopping period will get a boost because of the 'free day' post holiday. This year, Christmas Eve hits midweek placing a weekend smack in between Christmas and New Years. As a result, I think we're going to see a good amount of 'long weekend' takers driving more visits in that post-Christmas period where the combination of time off, gift cards and returns could fuel a significant lift in retail during that week YoY. Any bold (or not so bold) predictions for the holiday? Let us know in the comments below!

It seems the holidays come earlier every year, and we're not complaining! This is good news for #retailers, as consumers, encouraged by lowering prices, are ready and excited to shop for gifts. Even more exciting news for e-commerce retailers is that 64% of #consumers plan to shop exclusively online this year. How will you be doing your holiday shopping? Want to keep up with new trends discuss retail strategies? Join one of our exclusive #peergroups!

According to various reports, shoppers' price sensitivity this year hovers around 80-90%. This undoubtedly influences their shopping behaviour, leading to reduced spending on non-essential items such as vacations and increased efforts to find discount codes. Interestingly, online shopping has also seen a decline due to rising digital prices. What does this mean for customer behaviour in-store? 🎄 Shoppers moving from store to store in search of the best deals create an opportunity for sales personnel to make a strong impact. In these interactions, recommendations play a crucial role, as customers rely on guidance to ensure their gifts are both meaningful and provide value. To stand out amidst many similar options, retailers must offer something extra—be it personalised assistance, exclusive in-store promotions, or an exceptional shopping experience. Another factor shaping behaviour this year is the timing of Christmas Day, which falls on a Wednesday. This positioning may trigger a late shopping surge, culminating in a “super Saturday” on December 21, as customers make last-minute purchases before travelling to their festive destinations. 🎁 If excellent customer service is a priority, retailers should prepare for this potential rush with sufficient staff to handle increased demand effectively. #mysteryshopping #customerservice #Christmas

A big number of you were able to join us last week for our latest Masterclass (thank you!) - discussing the results of holiday shopping habits and sentiment from 100,000s consumers from the last few weeks.    For those who couldn’t join us - quick summary and link to the webinar below.    Huge shoutout to co-hosts Dan Morgenstern & Gareth Johns who brought their A-game (and a sleigh full of insights).   Here's a quick rundown of what they talked about:   💰 How much are shoppers spending? Good news—holiday spending is expected to grow by 2.5%-3.5% this year. But there’s a catch: inflation and economic concerns mean customers are more value-conscious than ever.     Takeaway: Shoppers want quality *and* value. Highlight competitive pricing, consider flexible payment options like BNPL, and spread promotions throughout the season to appeal to early birds *and* last-minute buyers.      🛍️ When are shoppers hitting the stores? This year’s late Thanksgiving means a shorter shopping window, and many customers are still procrastinating. By mid-November, only about 50% of shoppers will have even started. That means the rush is still ahead of us, including a last-minute scramble right up to Christmas Eve.     Takeaway: Be ready for the early planners, the deal-hunters on Black Friday, and the last-minute shoppers in late December. Don’t forget to set the mood early—decor and festive events can work wonders for drawing in the crowds.     🎁 What do shoppers want in-store? Here’s your golden opportunity: 66% of shoppers don’t know exactly what they’re buying when they come in. That means they’re relying on your team for guidance. Also, 60% of customers say deals influence their decisions - but it’s not just about price, it’s about value.   Takeaway: Train your staff to focus on personalized recommendations and creating an experience. Encourage cross-selling, make promotions easy to spot, and set up “comfort zones” like seating or gift-wrapping stations to keep shoppers happy.     💡 The holidays aren’t just about ringing up sales—they’re about creating moments. When your store feels like a festive, welcoming place, customers notice. And when your team is motivated and empowered to deliver exceptional service, shoppers remember.     Here’s to sleighing it one meaningful customer interaction at a time. 🎅🎄

Retailers can expect a rise in shopping budgets, but deal-seeking remains strong this holiday season. Many consumers, despite increased spending, feel overwhelmed by choices, leading to ‘buyers’ block.’  Nearly 75% are seeking inspiration and 1 in 4 consumers will choose gift cards to defer decision-making to recipients, according to Accenture's 18th Annual Holiday Shopping Survey. Mindful of spending too much, they also want assurance that they’re getting good deals. Dive into our perspective to learn three winning strategies for retailers to step up by balancing irresistible deals with personalized, memorable experiences across digital and online platforms. https://lnkd.in/efzjyDTp  #Accenture #Retail #RetailTrends #HolidayShopping Jagdish Upadhyaya Emma Blackburn Samantha Sanders Tara Burns  

Last year 1-in-3 U.S. Adults planned to return or exchange gifts they had received. CivicScience noted that was a 47% increase from the year previous (2022) and per data collected by the National Retail Federation that was at the cost of $816 BILLION in revenue for the 2022 year. I cannot fathom the lost revenue from the 2023 Holiday season if the return rate increase 47%... I invite those in e-commerce that have not already modernized their catalogues with the tech available to increase customer satisfaction and reduce returns to share with me why. Changing your return policy won't help people make the right selections - it will only prevent them from returning them. And I want to hear from online shoppers - what tools would help make shopping online easier? #nationalretailfederation #nrf #ecommerce #onlineshopping https://lnkd.in/gVzJbkqZ.