Get a Holiday Head Start: Predictions for the Upcoming Shopping Season

It may still be the dog days of summer but as a local business owner, it is also never too early to prepare for the upcoming holiday shopping season! As you gear up for the busiest time of the year, it’s important to plan ahead for success. 

Read on for our top 2022 holiday shopping season predictions to help get you started:  

Similar to predictions for this years’ back to school season, you can expect to see shoppers on the hunt for holiday gifts early this year. As has been a trend since the start of the pandemic, many retailers are expected to roll out holiday gift guides and even Black Friday-worthy deals as early as mid-October. As a small business owner, it’s important to keep this in mind to be able to compete with the larger national retailers. Chances are, your customers will be looking to stretch out their holiday shopping habits as well, so plan out your own promotional calendar accordingly. Rather than focusing your efforts on one-day only events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, consider how you can highlight top gift items and offer special discounts starting in October to attract shoppers looking to get that head start on their gifting.

While holiday shoppers are always on the lookout for a great bargain, price-conscious shopping is anticipated to be at a high for the 2022 season. Given rising inflation and supply chain concerns, this likely comes as no surprise and is something that you’ve observed throughout the back to school shopping season. As you prepare your business’ holiday inventory and promotions, be sure you are keeping affordability top of mind. Today’s increasingly price-conscious shoppers will be opening their wallets for the shops that can offer the most value this year.

While the pandemic has certainly accelerated consumers’ preferences for online shopping and digital conveniences, in-person shopping still accounts for the majority of retail sales during the holiday season. Small shops, even those without any online presence, can take a page from e-commerce’s book to incorporate more personalized services and convenience offerings within physical store spaces. Making that extra effort to ensure shoppers have a pleasant and memorable experience will build a personal connection that keeps shoppers coming back, even after their wish lists have been fulfilled.