As more consumers shop from work, retailers gear up for Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday, the ceremonial kickoff to the online holiday shopping season, will likely be even bigger this year as retailers target at-work shoppers with lunch hour promotions and special savings. In fact, November 27, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is expected to be one of the biggest online holiday shopping days again this year. But for many of us, the day atfer Thanksgiving, Black Friday, is a day when the malls and stores are packed with shoppers. Will there be fighting in the stores? Bring your boots and boxing gloves.
This holiday season, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP is expecting sales for the three months to increase 7% over last year. The gain would be slightly below last year's stellar performance, but above the average 5.5% gain of the last. Holiday spending is subject to a myriad of factors that touch the American pocketbook-from gas prices to job security-and savvy retailers that recognize and adapt to this year's trends can maximize the potential for success this holiday season.
Is time on your side or against you, this time of year. As real estate agents and loan originators, considering this is what makes up most of this community, when do you find time to shop? (And to those real estate staggers and tech people that I see contributing to this site. I just don't want anyone to feel left out) Do you do it yourself? Have a spouse or significant other do this for you? How does one juggle work and the hectic shopping jungle this time of year? Is your business slower this time of year, which makes shopping easier?
How many of you shop online? In light of the recent boom in the e-commerce industry, the U.S. Commerce Department will start measuring online shopping's impact on overall retail activity, a major indicator of the country's economic health.
Shop.org is the network for retailers online. Its 600 members include the 10 largest retailers in the U.S., and 70 percent of the Internet Retailer Top 100 E-Retailers.
Here are a few good places to shop online. http://www.bestbuys.com/ http://www.bizrate.com/
http://www.toponlineshopping.com/ I have personally used bestbuys.com and I have had some great success. I once saved $350 on a digital camcorder.
Stats and figures from December 19, 2005
Where are Christmas Gifts Made?
124 Number of establishments around the country that primarily manufactured dolls and stuffed toys in 2003; they employed 2,123 people. California led the nation with 19 such locations, and Vermont employed the most, 670. (Source: US Census)
$656 million The value of U.S. imports of stuffed toys (excluding dolls) from China between January and August 2005. China was the leading country of origin for stuffed toys coming into this country, as well as for a number of other popular holiday gifts that were imported. These include electric trains ($71 million); puzzles ($48 million); roller skates ($44 million); sports footwear ($204 million); golf equipment ($43 million); and basketballs ($26 million). Canada was the leading supplier of ice skates ($7 million). (Source: US Census)
47,835 The number of malls and shopping centers dotting the U.S. landscape as of 2004, a total that had increased by approximately 10,000 since 1990. (Source: Upcoming 2006 Statistical Abstract)
It's in the Mail ... 20 billion The number of letters, packages and cards delivered by the U.S. Postal Service between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The busiest mailing day this year is expected to be today (Dec. 19), with more than twice as many cards and letters being cancelled as on an average day. (Source: U.S. Postal Service at <http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/welcome.htm>)
About 1 million Number of packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service every day through Christmas Eve. The busiest delivery day: Dec. 21. (Source: U.S. Postal Service at
<http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/welcome.htm>)
Overall, Holiday spending is subject to a myriad of factors that touch the American pocketbook-from gas prices to job security-and savvy retailers that recognize and adapt to this year's trends can maximize the potential for success this holiday season.
When do you do your holiday shopping? Are you a last minute shopper? How does it affect your work schedule? Where do you do most of your shopping.....online? in the stores? At the mall?
Comments(49)