How Consumers Are Shopping This Holiday Season

Posted by author October 30, 2024 Shopping

Spread the love

Radial’s annual Peak Consumer Survey offers valuable insights for eCommerce brands to help them prepare for a successful holiday surge by understanding the latest consumer shopping behaviors and expectations. Recent data shows shifts in holiday shopping timelines, a divide between in-store and online shopping, and a growing interest in value-added services like gift wrapping and packaging.

Prepare for an Aggressive Peak Window

This year, fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas have condensed consumers’ holiday shopping timelines. A whopping 90% of those surveyed noted they will have started their holiday shopping before December 1, with a remarkable 41% of that group ticking off their lists in November.

Online Versus In-Store

Nearly half of Gen X and Millennials (46%, respectively) indicated they are more likely to shop online for beauty products this holiday season, with Gen Z following closely at 42%. While in-store remains a popular option for experiencing products, consumers are choosing the ease and convenience e-commerce offers.

Gen Z Wants You to Put a Bow on It

It’s hard enough to find the right gift for someone, not to mention the stress that comes with gift wrapping. More than half (55%) of Gen Z would pay for gift wrapping if it were offered at the right price compared to 52% of Millennials, 35% of Gen X, and 24% of Baby Boomers.

When it comes to gift packaging – interior presentation – 68% of Gen Z would pay for this service and 40% of that pool would pay up to $5. More than half (53%) of Millennials would pay an additional fee for this service, followed by 32% of Gen X and 21% of Baby Boomers.

Younger, digital-native generations have grown up in a world prioritizing aesthetics and appearance. Brands can cater to these niche demands by offering low-cost upgrades without alienating price-sensitive shoppers.