The Ultimate 2015 Holiday Shopping (and Shipping) Handbook

* TH ULTIMATG 2015 * HOLIDAY SHOPPING SHIPPING HANDBOOKS- AND MORE CONSUMERS WILL BE SHOPPING ONLINE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR DEEP DISCOUNTS, AS WELL AS QUALITY PRODUCTS. Make sure you enjoy the festivities this year without breaking the bank. Here's your guide to navigating the holiday shopping (and shipping) season, courtesy of the folks at Endicia. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, MORE SHOPPERS ARE GOING ONLINE This year, online holiday $105 BILLION sales are expected to increase 6-8% expected online sales this holiday season THE GOAL? FIND QUALITY GIFTS AT A GREAT PRICE STORE SHOPPERS ARE OPTIMISTIC, BUT CAUTIOUS $85.65 AVERAGE SPENDING (PER PERSON) will be about the same as last year 87% PRICE IS AS IMPORTANT AS EVER of shoppers say PRICE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER of consumers say SALARY AND 64% DISPOSABLE INCOME could affect of holiday spending choices holiday spending BOTH DISCOUNTS & QUALITY WILL PLAYA ROLE Which factors said said are the most important to holiday shoppers? SALE OR PRICE DISCOUNT is a factor QUALITY 73% 60% merchandise is a factor SO, WHAT SHOULD YOU BUY? MOST POPULAR GIFTS THIS YEAR: 3. CLOTHING & SHOES GIFT CARDS 1. GIFT CARDS 4. ACCESSORIES 2. TOYS 5. ELECTRONICS WHEN SHOULD YOU BUY IT OR BOOK IT? WEDNESDAY ENTERTAINMENT SUNDAY SATURDAY DEPARTMENT STORE HOTEL ROOM RESERVATION MERCHANDISE THURSDAY MONDAY Optimal times to buy electronics & appliances CLOTHING ACCESSORIES FRIDAY JEWELRY BLACH FRIDAY TUESDAY AIRLINE TICKETS CYBER MONDAY BEST FREE APPS TO HELP SCORE THAT DEAL SNIPSNAP: scan, save and redeem printed coupons on your mobile phone, rather than stashing piles of coupons in your purse. SHOPHICH: find the latest deals and collect points for walking in to your local stores, scanning products and making purchases. **... PRICEGRABBER: subscribe to weekly specials and see a summary of the latest prices and reviews of popular items. LAST DAYS TO SHIP FOR DELIVERY BY DECEMBER 25 DEC USPS Standard PostTM ɔ USPS Priority Mail® DEC 15 21 FEDEX Express Saver DEC UPS FEDEX 2Day® 2 UPS 2nd Day Air 16 DEC FEDEX Ground® 22 DEC 18 UPS 3 Day Select® USPS Priority Mail Express DEC FEDEX Standard Overnight Ɔ UPS Next Day Air® DEC 23 19 USPS First-Class Mall *UPS does nol specify culoff dales for their Ground service. SHIPPING COST BY CARRIER FedEx: UNITED STATES 3 PACKAGE WEIGHT ups POSTAL SERVICE 5 POUNDS OR LESS 3-Day $18.17 $16.94 $22.94 $11.30 $22.94 $11.30 2-Day Standard Overnight $51.41 $51.41 $44.95 6-10 POUNDS $28.33 $36.38 $73.11 $26.44 $36.38 3-Day $11.30 $11.30 $44.95 2-Day Standard Overnight $73.11 1. All prices besed on coast-lo-coast carrier costs (New York to San Francisco). UPS and FedEx pricing is based on Standard List rabes and USPS rales are based on Commercial Base Pricing. 2. FedEx and UPS surcharges are not included in these rates. 3. USPS rales for 3-day and 2-day are based on a Medium Flat Rate Box and Standard Overnight is based on a USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Box. NEED SHIPPING SUPPLIES? Visit the Endicia Online Supplies Store www.endicia.com/store for free USPS shipping supplies like envelopes and boxes. SOURCES FedEx: http://www.fedex.com/us/hollday Aast-days-to-ship.html National Retall Federation: hktps:inrt.com/medla/press-releases/retallers-very-digital-holliday-season-according-nrf-sSurvey PwC: http://www.pwc.com/us/en/retall-consumer/assets/pwc-2016-hollday-report.pdf Savings.com: http://www.savings.com/info/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/04/Best-Times-Infographic.png UPS: http://compass.ups.com/ups-hollday-calendar/ U.S News 8 World Report: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2015/08/12/5-apps-to-make-back-to-school-shopping-easy-on-any-budget Brought to you by Endicia (endicia.com), the leader in ecommerce shipping technologies and services. Endicia helps global businėsses, small and large, improve the elliciency of their shipping operalions. endicia