For retailers, the months leading up to peak selling season are a whirlwind of planning and strategizing, as they strive to capture the hearts — and wallets — of shoppers. For shoppers, the holidays transform storefronts into portals of inspiration and shopping bags into treasure chests of childlike excitement.
However, in a world marked by constant change and shifting consumer preferences, accurately predicting holiday retail trends has become harder and harder. Last year, retail sales during 2022’s November-December holiday season grew 5.3% over 2021 to $936.3 billion, falling short of the National Retail Federation’s forecast amid continuing inflation and high interest rates.
Holiday forecasts and predictions may be a bit like peering into a crystal ball — or hazy snow globe — but to help retailers make sense of it all, RIS again curates a selection of recent retail surveys and research to provide the top data needed to prepare and strategize.
itim Group plc (LON:ITIM) is a SaaS-based technology company that enables store-based retailers to optimise their businesses to improve financial performance and effectively compete with online competitors. Itim adds retail value by helping multi-channel retailers optimise their business and their stores to improve financial performance and compete more effectively with the “Amazons”.