Intriguing Facts to Know About the Holiday Shipping Rush

Intriguing Facts to Know About the Holiday Shipping Rush
Photo: Unsplash.com

Indications are that retailers make up to 20% of their profits during the holiday season. That being said, holiday shopping funds may be under pressure from the current high cost of living. The statistics below may help shoppers and sellers alike make the best choices for the coming seasons.

Online Shopping Has Reached Nearly 50%

As of 2023, 46% of holiday shoppers are buying their gifts online. If you have an online shop for handmade goods, it’s important that you’re loading images of your holiday projects by September 1. Most holiday shoppers are working hard to buy the majority of their gifts by Halloween.

Drop-Shipped Gifts are Growing in Popularity

If shoppers are planning around supply chain concerns, they may also choose to get their gift choices drop-shipped to the household of the recipient. Concerns about potential thefts may mean that daytime deliveries will be directed to the recipients’ workplace.

For those who own sticks and bricks businesses, the increase in delivery traffic may be problematic. To make sure that your employees get their gifts in a timely fashion without overloading your parking area or client access, it may be wise to choose a single delivery day each week for personal gifts.

Holiday Shopping Dollars Have Grown Every Year Since 2008

The cost of living crisis hasn’t yet had an impact on holiday shopping trends. In some years, the increases are small, but shopping spending has continued to rise at least 2% since 2009.

Personalized Gifts are Growing in Popularity

Personalized gifts, such as monogrammed items, are also growing in popularity. If your business offers personalizations, consider increasing your offerings of items that can be monogrammed. Make sure your website offers potential clients a place to include a message, theme or name to be added to your custom products.

Handmade Gifts, Especially Kit-Based Gifts, Are Growing in Popularity

Many gift-givers are embracing the idea of creating handmade gifts for their loved ones. For retailers that offer creative kits, timing your marketing process is key. If you’re selling kits that include holiday colors of yarn, fabric, or paints, make sure you stock up early to avoid shortages in the fall.

October is Usually the First Month of Holiday Shopping

While there are folks who work to buy holiday gifts all year, many start in October. Of course, you have probably seen concerns about retailers starting holiday promotions too early. To avoid dealing with these concerns, make sure you offer space for Thanksgiving items. Include products focused on the December holidays on the displays further from the door.

Post-Holiday Clearance Products May Not Always Be Available

As soon as a particular product runs low, consider moving it to a clearance area. Supply chain issues and shortages have often meant that post-holiday clearance sales simply don’t have a lot to offer shoppers. Make sure your shoppers know that your stock is not infinite; this placement of products may bump up their urgency to shop before the holiday.

Shoppers likely have fewer dollars to spare for the holidays. To make sure that your stock and services are not abandoned for other offerings, time your offerings and sales with care. Stock up on craft supplies early!

Published by: Nelly Chavez

(Ambassador)

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