Experts Reveal Expectations for the Critical Christmas Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday shopping season—the most important time of year for retailers—is fast approaching. Experts are now releasing their expectations for how consumers will spend their money this Christmas.

Where Shoppers Will Go

The retail report likely focuses on a few major trends:

• Early Deals: Shoppers are expected to begin hunting for sales earlier than ever, especially during October and early November, to lock in better prices.
• Value Focus: Shoppers will prioritize value. This will benefit discounters, outlets, and retailers offering strong promotions.
• E-commerce Dominance: Online shopping is expected to continue leading growth, with quick shipping and easy returns being major factors.

The Retailer Challenge

Retailers will face the difficult task of balancing high inventory levels with the need to avoid massive discounts that hurt their profit. The overall season is predicted to be competitive, requiring creative strategies to capture wallets in a careful spending environment.