Some Christmas shopping may be under way already, survey reports
Online retailers are expecting Christmas shopping to start any day now, according to a survey conducted by e-commerce technology provider LaGarde. More than 25% of merchants responding to the LaGarde survey believe the holiday shopping season for their online store starts in August or September. More than 60% said the season starts before Nov. 1.
Online retailers are also optimistic about this shopping season, 75% expecting an increase in sales this year over last and 21% expecting a “considerable” increase.
LaGarde surveyed 100 customers of its StoreFront e-commerce software..
The e-retailers also told LaGarde that they expect October to be the month when they spend the most on holiday promotions.
Most merchants will engage in more than one promotional activity. The breakdown of promotions includes:
• e-mails to customers, used by 65% of respondents
• product sales and discounts, 49%
• free or discounted shipping, 42%
• coupons, 33%
• free gift wrap, 8%
• online gift center, 7%
• other, 26%
“As our customers see their holiday sales increase and the selling season expand, they are changing their business plans appropriately,” said Bob LaGarde, CEO and founder of LaGarde. “The data indicate they are spending more of their promotional dollars earlier and are preparing their inventories and fulfillment processes accordingly.”
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