As the holiday season approaches, many consumers are planning to kick off their shopping earlier this year, aiming to lock in low prices, take advantage of promotions, and ensure all their gifts arrive on time. A recent survey by Sensormatic Solutions reveals key insights that can guide both shoppers and retailers during this busy time.
According to the survey, 52% of respondents plan to start their holiday shopping earlier than last year, and while shoppers are looking for deals, 48% plan to spend more than they did last year.
Understanding consumer trends is critical for both shoppers and retailers alike. This survey highlights important considerations that can enhance the shopping experience and inform retail strategies.
Here are some of the survey’s top findings:
- Early Shopping Trends: Over half (54%) of shoppers plan to begin their holiday shopping before November. This trend indicates a shift towards early planning to secure deals and avoid the rush of the season’s busiest shopping days. Early shopping also helps lock in the best prices and ensure stock availability.
- Preferred Pickup Options: This year, 42% of shoppers plan to use Buy-Online-Pick-Up-in-Store (BOPIS), and 35% will opt for curbside pickup. However, 29% of respondents are concerned about possible long wait times, suggesting to retailers the importance of efficient customer service during peak hours and the need to provide several pick up options.
- Spending Management: While nearly half of shoppers plan to spend more this year, 52% of respondents noted they are creating a shopping list to avoid impulse purchases. In fact, 64% of younger shoppers have used recent deal days and flash sales to maximize their spending.
- Prioritize Safety: Safety is key to a productive holiday shopping season. In fact, 69% of consumers feel safer with visible security measures such as security personnel, surveillance cameras, and Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags, and 34% of them consider these features essential for in-store shopping. This aligns with performance data that suggests such visual deterrents can effectively reduce theft and organized retail crime. Retailers should prioritize safety features, such as surveillance cameras and security personnel, to foster a positive shopping environment.
This holiday season presents an opportunity for both consumers and retailers to adapt to evolving shopping behaviors. By understanding these insights, retailers can better meet customer expectations, while shoppers can enjoy a more informed and relaxed shopping experience.
