Seasonal Shopping Goes Digital

Seasonal Shopping Goes Digital: Tips and Stats for Online Retailers The economic slump transforms into a shopping hustle-and-bustle during the holiday season, and this holiday season is projected to be no different. That holds especially true for online retailers, who are seeing more mobile customers than ever before. Check out the stats on how holidays affect online retail, and learn what online customers are looking for this 2012 holiday season. 3 Consumer Holiday Insights eCommerce growth will return to pre-recession 2. Consumer expectations 1. 3. The 4-screen experience will change consumer shopping will rise levels Consumer Spending Increase This Holiday Let's take a look at why online retailers will thrive this 2012 online holiday season 1st and 2nd-quarter shopping in 2012 14% 12% 11% 10.6% Online sales are projected to grow 12% over 2011, 8.5% 8.6% reaching $96 billion 12% 2012 holiday season sales 4.1% are projected to increase 4.1% over 2011, reaching $586.1 billion Valentine's Day Easter Mother's Day total increase in total increase per consumer spending since 2011 person in spending since 2011 Daily Shopping Milestones: Increase From 2010-2011 10 shopping days topped $1 billion in online sales in 2011 31% 29% 6 of the top 10 were Mondays or Tuesdays 9% 2% 2010 2011 Started on Cyber Monday and ended on Free Ship Day, Dec. 16 - Black Friday Thanksgiving 2012 Tip: Be prepared to keep selling after December 25! Cyber Friday Day after Christmas What Consumers Expect from eCommerce Retailers Let's take a look at what consumers asked of eCommerce retailers last holiday season. 55% of online shoppers expected free shipping Last-minute sales 29% 51% took advantage of free shipping 37% Coupon sales 50%+ made transactions that involved free shipping 16% Gift sets 8% Payment plants/layaway 2012 Tip: Customers want shipping to be free and fast Showrooming is Booming 1 in 3 shoppers are "showrooming" – checking out a product in stores and then buying it online. Who's showrooming Why showroom? 10 35% 50% 48% 43% 72% 45% 24% 18% 17% said the price said they wanted to see the items shoppers shoppers tablet smartphone said the said they said buying in aged 25-34 owners was better item wasn't wanted the person was owners online before ordering in stock at item shipped inconvenient online the store home 2012 Tip: Some stores are battling showrooming by matching online prices. To keep customers online: offer free shipping, online sale days, and discounts. The Rise of the Mobile Consumer 2012 Mobile Projections Mobile Shopping in the 2011 Holiday Season 44% 173% increase in Christmas Day 2011 mobile shopping over Christmas Day 2010 12% 9% 34% retailer site visits last minute searches on mobile devices of smartphone and tablet users will start shopping before Thanksgiving Tablet and mobile Desktop online sales online searches searches peak conducted peak between between from mobile on mobile 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. devices devices 2012 Tip: Make sure your site is user-friendly on multiple platforms Tech and Clothing Rule Online Retailers Top Google shopping searches 1 week before Christmas 2011: 2012 Tip: Techy gifts are still hot, but keep abreast of online search and shopping Colorblock heels eBook reader Ugly christmas sweaters trends to make sure you're stocking what Dr Dre headphones consumers want Computer speakers Apple iPad 2 Karaoke machine Vizio tablet Beats headphones 10 Christmas sweaters Follow these tips and you're sure to see your online business boom this holiday season. Sources: http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=1433 brought to you by: CUSTOMER Z MAGNETISM http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2011/12/daily-chart-1 http://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/insights/trends/holiday-shopping-queries/ internet marketing agency