Consumer Spending and What Online Merchants Can Expect This Holiday Shopping Season

eTaildTail sometimes relies on its friends, in the ecommerce and mobile commerce industries, to provide expert commentary on the ins-and-outs of the ecommerce and mcommerce industries, as these friends often have excellent analysis for us all. 

Yesterday, eTaildTail friend at Get Elastic, Linda Bustos, posted an excellent analysis and roundup of Holiday 2008 Consumer Trends with numerous references to other industry experts, statistics, and trend analysis which, collectively, surmized what we can all expect from the Holiday Shopping Season for 2008.

I post some of Linda's commentary here followed by a hyper link to Get Elastic's excellent overview.  It is a thorough read which gives us all insights on what to expect this holiday shopping season -- and much of it is good news, despite a difficult economy.

Bottom line: no one really knows what to expect but all of us do expect people to still shop online as it is easier, cost-effective, and all of us still like to buy people presents.  Some research suggests that online Holiday Shopping for 2008 will increase 12% from the 2007 Holiday Shopping Season.Not bad!

From Get Elastic
by Linda Bustos

October 27, 2008

How Will the Uncertain Economy Affect Consumer Spending this Holiday Season?

"Today’s post is a roundup of recent consumer research and forecasts on how much consumers expect to spend, what they’re looking for and where they plan to get it. It’s interesting but not surprising how some results really vary and even contradict each other (e.g. gift cards are hot, gift cards are not).

This research can’t make decisions for you but it might help you think through your customer segments (and personas) and consider how different types of consumers (what motivates them in a tough economy) experience your site/email offers and messaging.

For example, if you are Musician’s Friend and your customer typically buys music supplies for themselves — if gift givers love to give apparel and gift cards, you might market to your existing customer pushing those items along with an incentive like a gift card rebate to use for themselves in the new year.

Will shoppers spend more or less this year? ..."

<<<CLICK HERE>>> to read full analysis. 

I could not have written this analysis any better than eTaildTail friends at Get Elastic, so please read their summary in full of what to expect over the next 60 days for the Holiday Shopping season. 

It is an excellent and very thorough read and prepares online merchants for the Holiday Shopping Season to increase their return in ad spend when using comparison shopping sites and better understand other marketing efforts to drive traffic to their Web Storefront.

Have a wonderful Halloween Week!

- Chip Arndt

Comments

[carla]

There is a lot of info in that post! I like the emphasis towards the end about offering free shipping. I plan to offer that a few times this season, but wonder what the cost will look like.

[Chip Arndt]

Carla:

Read my prior post about "Free Shipping".

Title: "Free Shipping" For The Holidays: Not So Fast"

http://www.etaildtail.com/weblog/2008/09/free-shipping-f.html