Top 3 Things Brands Can Do to Prepare for the 2021 Holiday Season
Well, that came quickly!
The holidays are already on everyone’s minds, especially with concerns over supply chain interruptions and product shortages. As a brand or retailer, it’s important that you’re being proactive and planning ahead. The pandemic has changed the way people discover, shop and buy products, so you need to be ready to meet these needs.
To help you plan for this critical time, here are three things to do to prepare for the 2021 holiday season.
- Give people a reason to shop early.
Last year, retailers started kicking off the holiday season at the end of October due to uncertainties in the supply chain. Nearly half of shoppers surveyed said they started shopping before Black Friday, and many of these transactions took place on mobile devices.
We expect to see a lot of the same in 2021. People are worried about shortages, so they’re shopping early. Give customers a reason to buy from you by offering discounts, double reward points, free gift wrap, etc. Be sure to include a coupon for a future purchase so customers can return later in the season!
- Offer hybrid shopping experiences.
In-store shopping became more intent-based and transactional last year due to the coronavirus. We can expect the same this year. For many shoppers, things like ‘curbside pickup’ and ‘buy online pick up in store’ are a great perk. They get the convenience of shopping safely at home while being able to see the product in-person.
Think of some of the ways you can offer an immersive, hybrid shopping experience for your customers. Ideas include how-to videos, live fashion shows, augmented reality, personalized recommendations and live chat.
- Be active on social media.
Many shoppers are turning to social media for suggestions on what to buy others. They can ask for feedback, view photos and videos from real people and more. It’s a great spot when you’re looking for personalized recommendations!
Make sure your brand is included in these conversations. Be active on your social media channels and share lots of information about your products and why they make great gifts for others. If your time and budget allow, consider putting together a holiday gift guide that you can share online.
Create Your Holiday Marketing Strategy Today
With another uncertain holiday season upon us, it’s important that your brand is ready to meet your customers’ needs. Being proactive, communicating with customers and keeping your brand front and center are all ways to ensure a successful holiday shopping season!
To have a custom holiday marketing strategy created for you, contact WSI Star Web Solutions today. Our full-service marketing company specializes in internet marketing in Louisiana. Let’s make this holiday season the best one yet!