Listen, I’m sorry to do this. . . but, coffee shops are rolling out their fall drink specials, the kiddos are back in school, and is it just me or has there been a cool breeze in the air? I think you know where this is going.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! ALERT!

Sorry to rile you up like that. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this! Start doing the heavy lifting of planning your promotions and festivities now so that you can focus on nailing the execution later. You’re in a good spot and you still have time.

Here are some insights based on the latest trend analysis to help inform your planning. As we know, things have been atypical the last couple of years. Here’s how things are shaping up so far this year and what we know from recent holiday shopping seasons.

Start Early

According to recent reports coming out of Momentive, shoppers will be on the hunt for the perfect presents even earlier this year. People are especially concerned about spending this season as inflation continues to rise. One of the forecasted effects of this is that consumers will start shopping earlier to space out spending and avoid price hikes as we get closer to the actual holidays. With these points in mind, businesses need to be rolling out their holiday campaigns very soon to attract shoppers right from the get-go and capture early season spend. This report says that more than 35% of shoppers will have started their search BY OCTOBER. Cut right to the chase this year!

Space Out Savings

Because of a longer holiday shopping season, days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday have had, and will continue to have, a diminished effect as consumers spread out their shopping over a longer period of time. Don’t wait until the end of November to drop your doorbuster deals! Create a schedule of wow-worthy savings stretching throughout the season that will keep bringing people in the door and enticing waves of shoppers.

Amp Up the Ambience

In general, folks are feeling safer about the return to the in-person experience than in the past few years. Why not give them something to stop by for? Create an in-store experience that’s worthwhile. Make sure everything is properly signed and your menus have seasonal selections. Cement yourself as a holiday destination by aligning your decor, signage, and offerings. The holidays are a fun time to do something special and unique in-store, as well. Have you thought about offering small refreshments? Or hosting an event? Help consumers make moments this season and create a destination environment that also drives sales.

Optimize Your Web Experience (Especially for Mobile)

Although people will be getting out and about more this year, online retail continues to flourish. It’s reported that it will increase 5% over last year, with nearly 50% of those sales taking place from mobile interfaces. That means that it’s essential that your online shopping experience is seamless and efficient, as well as optimized for mobile browsers. Here are a few things you can do to make the online shopping experience better for consumers:

• Add “Check Out Now” or “Add to Cart” buttons to product pages that allow the customer to seamlessly continue shopping instead of fumbling through different webpages to checkout.
• Make sure your product descriptions are up-to-date and include all the detailed information someone may need to make a purchase. An ecommerce study by Nielsen Norman Group shows that 20% of unsuccessful purchases are due to lack of relevant information in product descriptions.
• Use quality product images that help the customer envision themselves with the product.
• Don’t miss out on a cross-sale opportunity! Make your customers aware of items that are frequently purchased with other items and/or similar items they may want to consider instead for a slightly higher price.

We’ve talked already about in-store ambience but ambience can be created online, too! Showcase holiday spirit and your seasonal offerings with custom banners and pop-ups touting your deals.

Align Your Digital Marketing

As with every campaign, make sure whatever you’re working on gets translated to the online experience as well. Now is a good time to refresh your cover photos and banners on social media and your website and start leaning into that holiday theme. Start connecting with your audiences about your holiday promotions on social media and in your email marketing. Entice folks in-store to sign-up for your newsletter by creating signage advertising the exclusive offerings you’ll be sending straight to their inbox, and then actually send them those exclusive offerings.

We Are Here to Help You!

It may feel overwhelming with the holidays already on their way and like there is so much to be done between now and then! And there is! But you don’t have to do it alone; Fuzzy Duck can work with you on any of the above to-dos. With web experts, marketing masters, and print design pros on our staff, a killer holiday campaign is just a phone call away.