HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON 2021: WHAT SHOULD RETAILERS EXPECT?

Christmas is still over a month away, but with the pandemic creating major supply chain disruptions leading to shipping delays and product shortages, retail experts are advising shoppers to plan ahead and purchase gifts early this year. What this means is that whether you are a national retail chain or a small business owner, you should expect shoppers to be on the hunt for the perfect gifts earlier than ever this year.

Read on for a few tips and predictions for retailers to keep in mind as you navigate through this busy season:

PREPARE FOR THE RUSH!

Viewing Black Friday as the official start to holiday shopping is a thing of the past - the frenzy of the season is already upon us! If you have not already, rethink how your retail space can best prepare for the influx rush of shoppers. This means keeping best-selling products front and center, keeping your aisles and shelves free of clutter, and ensuring your staffing levels are adequate to maintain personalized customer service. Also, keep in mind that store cleanliness and health & safety measures will remain a top priority for shoppers coming in-store.

EMBRACE ONLINE

If you haven’t already embraced the digital world as a brick-and-mortar business, it’s time to catch up! Today’s shoppers not only prefer an omnichannel shopping experience, they expect it - with 87% beginning their product searches online before purchasing (source). As a retail business with a physical space, you can still use the digital world to your advantage by sharing in-stock inventory updates, special promotions, and new product launches with your online audience via your website, email newsletters, and social media pages. Building a digital footprint is a great way to engage with your shoppers from anywhere, and incentivize them to come shop in person.

CAPTURE IMPULSE SHOPPERS

Even with the majority of shoppers researching products online prior to purchasing, a lot of impulse buying still happens throughout the holiday season. So much so that according to The NPD Group, impulse purchasing usually drives approx. 25% of all holiday spending! Capture the attention of these shoppers by tapping into the psychology behind the temptation of impulse shopping with enticing product displays, special “deal of the day” promotions, and an easy checkout experience.

IN CONCLUSION

Despite facing many challenges this year, the outlook for the holiday shopping season looks bright, with the National Retail Federation forecasting the highest holiday retail sales on record. For more help maximizing your local business’ success, contact your Centennial Local Leasing and Business Development Representative today.