Seasons online shopping has become increasingly popular among shoppers across the country.
While the convenience of shopping online is undeniable, some argue that it leads to a loss of personal interaction between customers and retailers. In fact, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), holiday season shopping statistics, roughly 30% of Americans say they would rather shop in person.
Nevertheless, the number of shopping transactions taking place via e-commerce continues to rise, and experts predict that 2022 will continue to see positive growth. Below are 10 major reasons why we expect online retail sales to increase throughout the holiday shopping season.
With shopping sites offering everything from electronics to clothing to furniture, consumers now have access to thousands of stores and countless items to choose from.
1. More Items Are Available Online Than Ever Before
Online shopping offers a wider selection than ever, allowing consumers to compare prices and features of nearly every type of merchandise imaginable.
Consumers can browse thousands of products from dozens of brands, from laptops to toys. Because companies offer so many choices, consumers no longer have to settle for whatever is available at their local store. Instead, they can take advantage of deals offered exclusively online and purchase exactly what they want.
2. E-Commerce Sites Offer Consumers A Better Experience
Many websites allow users to search for specific products and compare prices based on shipping costs. This allows shoppers to save money and avoid spending hours searching for the lowest price on a particular item.
Because these sites provide detailed product information, consumers can weigh their options.
This removes the guesswork from offline shopping, where consumers must rely on retailer descriptions. As a result, shoppers are less likely to be disappointed with their purchases.
3. Retailers Can Market Their Products To Specific Audiences
With holiday shopping trends, retailers can target specific audiences using several unique techniques.
For example, they can use advertising tools to direct potential customers toward their international online store during key times when they’re most likely to be interested in buying a certain product. They can also create landing pages that promote certain special promotions or discounts.
4. Online Shopping Provides Easy Accessibility
While traditional brick-and-mortar stores may be convenient for some people, others may not be as comfortable.
This includes those who live in areas with limited accessibility, including: elderly individuals who cannot walk long distances; young children and adults with disabilities such as arthritis, diabetes, heart problems and other medical conditions; and pregnant women.
However, with the online shopping holiday season, people can access hundreds of items from any location without having to leave their homes. As a result, more people can now enjoy the conveniences of shopping online.
5. Product And Services
In the holiday season, it’s much easier to find specialized product and service providers online.
In fact, millions of specialty businesses—including car repair shops, health spas, real estate agents and personal trainers—have established an entire presence within the world wide web.
Thanks to these sites, everyone from dog owners to tennis enthusiasts can easily get quality products and services whenever they need them. As a result, even if you don’t have a specific interest in one of these categories, it’s still possible to locate a provider who specializes in your needs.
6. Shipping Options Are More Convenient
As mentioned above, shipping methods have evolved significantly over the past few years. While many large retailers and manufacturers provide free shipping on orders totaling $50 or more, smaller businesses often charge extra fees for shipping large packages.
For this reason, many consumers choose to international shop online rather than wait in line at a retail location. Online shoppers can skip the lines and pay for only what they need, saving time and hassle while receiving faster delivery. Plus, with online shipments, they can benefit from flexible shipping options, including next day delivery and same day or expedited shipping.
7. Customers Have The Ability to Choose
Online purchases offer consumers a number of benefits, but many people prefer shopping in person. This is especially true for high ticket items like cars, furniture and electronics. Because online shopping this holiday season tends to be much cheaper, they often feel guilty about paying full price or even half price for something they would normally splurge on.
Therefore, many consumers choose to purchase their items in person so they can examine all the aspects of a product before making a final decision.
8. Easier to Find Discounts in Holiday Season
This is one of the shopping safety tips for the holiday season. Although there are plenty of ways to find great deals on the internet, the best ones tend to involve research.
By doing a little bit of leg work, shoppers can discover hidden bargains and save thousands of dollars over time.
People who compare prices online can also track sales throughout the year.
Online shoppers can avoid long lines and make informed buying decisions.
9. You Can Shop Anytime of The Day or Night
Thanks to technological advances, the internet has become a 24/7 resource. Most major websites open their doors around the clock, allowing people to search for just about anything in the holiday season. Plus, most popular apps enable users to shop online internationally anytime they want.
For example, DC allows its customers to browse from home or on the go, and eBay offers mobile payment capabilities that allow users to complete transactions wherever they happen to be. With this type of convenience, there’s no excuse not to buy gifts online!
10. Free Gift Wrapping And No Hassle Returns
When you’re buying gifts for family members and friends, wrapping presents can sometimes seem intimidating. However, thanks to technology, gift wrapping has become relatively easy. For instance, some retailers now offer pre-wrapped boxes, which make gift giving that much simpler.
Additionally, DC uses artificial intelligence to suggest personalized labels and tags, while Walmart offers customizable gift bags that include customized cards.
Furthermore, since returns aren’t always necessary, many companies will also cover packaging costs. Even better, some vendors even offer free return shipping services. Online orders may take up to five business days to arrive after Thanksgiving. However, this delay could be worth it when you factor in the holidays.
Final Words:
As the holidays approach, it’s clear that the trend of online shopping is here to stay.
With the convenience and safety that online shopping provides, more and more people will be opting to purchase items online, rather than in-store.
With the right strategies in place, businesses can make the most of this upcoming holiday season and ensure that they are making the most of their online presence.