Shopping trends this holiday season
This year, increased online shopping is a given for obvious reasons – but there are other emerging COVID-related trends to look out for.
Click-and-collect and more
Click-and-collect wasn’t created for COVID, but it might as well have been. It’s now standard to give customers options beyond ordinary courier delivery – particularly contactless methods like curbside pickup or click-and-collect lockers – as more people want to avoid busy stores and face-to-face interaction at the counter.
Sign up to shop
Crowded shops are not an option this year, so stores need to find a way to work around restrictions and risks without alienating customers. One possibility: getting customers to sign up for designated in-store shopping time.
Virtual retail reality
VR sounds futuristic, but it’s already being used by some retailers. Companies like Youcan create virtual retail spaces that let customers navigate around a store and click to view products. When customers can’t visit in-person, it could be the next best thing.
Shopping through social
More time at home means more time on social media. That rise in social traffic will likely mean more ads, deals and promotions in the lead-up to the holidays. As this type of marketing gets smarter, you can even run social-only deals, where users have to find a code or share a post before getting access.
Bigger, better deals
Sales and promotions have always helped to draw people in. This year, trying to make up for lost time, retailers will be motivated to offer bigger discounts and better deals. Expect to see major discounts and promotions, particularly online.
Getting ahead of the holiday rush
With the holiday rush fast approaching, it’s time to make sure your business is ready. It’s no longer enough to decorate your store and bring in more staff – you need to offer a curated customer experience, fantastic service throughout the process, more delivery options and great discounts.