Amazon is taking over the online shopping world! Sound like a broken record? This may not exactly be new news, but the scale of it might surprise you. Did you know that almost 50% of all online purchases start on Amazon? This may come as a shock, but what may be more baffling is the fact that only 34% of retailers sell goods through their own websites (source). In this day and age, one would imagine, it’s hard to start a business without a website, let alone make a profit without one.
Regardless of age, gender, or preferred shopping outlet, at least 95% of Americans shop online once a year and there’s a strong possibility that this purchase takes place during the holiday season. According to eMarketer, “US retail ecommerce sales are expected to jump 16.6% during the 2017 holiday season.”
Simply put, online shopping is a way of life now, especially as millennials age and become parents. BigCommerce reports that 67% of millennials prefer to shop online rather than in-store, and parents are spending approximately 6% more online than non-parents. Between managing daily life and hosting visitors, online shopping for millennial parents—especially during the holidays—is more of a necessity than a luxury.
Mark your Calendars
Cyber Monday (November 27th) – Black Friday is typically touted for brick-and-mortar retailers, but there are also online outlets hopping on the holiday bandwagon to take advantage of eager shoppers. Nevertheless, Cyber Monday remains the best day to score online sales for the holidays. If you’re hesitant to cave to the Cyber Monday hype, consider this: Last year, Forbes reported that “Cyber Monday 2016 was the biggest day in the history of U.S. e-commerce.” Forbes also reported that Adobe Digital Insights claims consumers spent $3.45 billion online.
Green Monday (December 11th) – Wait…what? That’s right, Green Monday. This shopping day was originated by eBay ten years ago and other retailers have adopted the date as another opportunity to push sales.
Free Shipping Day (December 15th) – For many, free shipping is expected during the holidays, but it can be difficult to account for minimum order thresholds if you’re sticking to a budget. Not all stores participate in Free Shipping Day, so be sure to research and make a note for one-off purchases or gifts traveling long distances.
Super Saturday & Christmas Eve (December 23rd & December 24th). Sometimes it pays to wait until last minute, since many retailers will offer heavy discounts for holiday merchandise that hasn’t sold. Also, keep in mind that last minute shopping means last minute shipping; overnight or two-day shipping during the holiday season can be pricey.
After Christmas (December 26th) – Here’s an idea: Schedule your big family gatherings after the holiday. There are two perks to this theory: the first being quality time with immediate family members and the second being post-Christmas shopping deals. If not for this year, consider shopping for next season. Like Halloween candy, shoppers will find significantly discounted goods after the holiday.
Make sure you have your devices ready for the start of the shopping season! You’ll want to make sure you have a fast enough Internet connection so you don’t miss out on the deals. To increase your speed, call Customer Service at Consolidated Communications at 844.YOUR.CCI. You can also the options that are available in your area at www.consoldiated.com.