Consumers to increase online sales for holiday shopping season
It's no surprise that the world of ecommerce has seen a sharp increase over the last few years, as customers shop for items online and retailers offer their products and services for purchase through the internet. The holiday shopping season is definitely no exception. Last year, the amount of online sales leading up to and throughout the holiday rush reached a record. Retailers are expecting those numbers to increase this year, as they anticipate that shoppers will get their wish lists and items for loved ones on the web.
Retailers prepare for holidays
Although it is still a few months away, both customers and merchants are gearing up for the holiday shopping spree. Independent Retailer reports that total sales during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons last year came to approximately $35.27 billion, according to recent research from Forrester. This year, retailers are expecting that amounts will surpass last year's, both at brick-and-mortar locations and online.
The source states that there are several trends that businesses must be prepared for before the rush starts. Consumers are increasingly starting their shopping efforts early, so right before October will be the unofficial start for holiday gift buying season. Retailers need to determine which channels are most effective at selling products and services, and they should aim to develop those methods to see a boost in sales throughout the coming months. Additionally, more shoppers are going to be equipped with smartphones and tablets, both of which are purchasing and price comparison tools in the palms of their hands. Merchants need to take this trend into consideration, and implement systems that allow them accept and process these types of electronic transactions.
Hiring employees may help to bolster sales
As any manager knows, hiring more employees increases the chances of sales opportunities. This is exactly what many retailers are doing as they prepare for the holiday shopping season, reports Millionaire Corner. A recent study by the Hay Group found that 57 percent of businesses surveyed said they plan to bring on additional seasonal employees this year before the shopping rush. Thirty-six percent stated they will hire more workers than they did last year. This could be why many retailers anticipate that holiday sales will exceed the totals from last year, with 75 percent stating they expect to see significant increases.
