Category Management Association’s Post

Brands have an opportunity to capitalize on the approaching holiday season, as over half of all shoppers plan to start their #holidayshopping by late October according to our recent consumer survey. Clearly, buyers are eager to take advantage of holiday sales events and rewards opportunities. 🎁 The season will bring a scale-driven, competitive market, making it crucial for companies to capture the attention of shoppers early. Discover additional holiday shopping insights from our recent survey here: http://spr.ly/6041qjfGP

The National Retail Federation just released its forecast for Halloween and it expects sales to be down 5 percent from last year. Since Halloween as well as Back-to-School are bellwethers for the Winter Holidays, I looked back at the other holiday forecasts this year and found expected holiday spending in total was down nearly 30% this year over last. Holiday spending is ultimately a reflection of how consumers feel and by that measure, they aren’t feeling particularly confident and that’s reflected in their spending, not just for holidays but all year round. https://bit.ly/47Oxb14 #halloweenspending #retailforecasts #holiday2024 #holidayretail #holidayspending

Holiday shopping season is just around the corner! 🚚💨 With fewer days than normal between Black Friday and Christmas, are you prepared for the surge in orders? Now is the time to optimize your operations, strengthen your workforce, and finalize a resilient holiday-season success plan. Pro tip: Assign a “Holiday Captain” to steer the company through the rough waters of the holiday shopping season. What are your top tips for navigating the holiday season rush? Share your insights below! #holidayshopping #supplychain #ecommerce

Now Live: A Retailer’s Guide To Planning Holiday 2024: Retailers needing advice before the winter shopping season: Read this blog for a sneak peek into Forrester's Retail Holiday Planning Guide. http://dlvr.it/TFPcKT

Retailers in Australia, such as JB Hi-Fi, are increasingly focusing on discounts due to rising living costs. JB Hi-Fi’s CEO, Terry Smart, emphasises that promotions are crucial in these tough economic times to drive sales. However, this approach has its drawbacks. During the pandemic, retailers enjoyed higher profit margins as consumers paid premium prices. This trend has now reversed, with consumers now pushing back and expecting significant discounts to stay loyal. This is not isolated to Australia. Retailers like Nick Scali and US-based Wayfair have reported profit declines, with major companies such as Walt Disney and Airbnb also feeling the effects of reduced consumer spending. Consumers seek more than just low prices; they want products that deliver genuine value. Relying too heavily on discounts can undermine brand value and profitability, as it often fails to address the deeper need for meaningful product benefits. The key is to focus on offering products that truly meet consumer needs and to price them based on their perceived value. #pricingnews #taylorwellspricing Sources: https://lnkd.in/gxEpQKsx https://lnkd.in/gYK9K7ii

The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects U.S. holiday retail sales in November and December 2024 to rise between 2.5% and 3.5%, reaching $979.5 billion to $989 billion, setting a new record. 🧸 E-commerce sales are projected to grow 8% to 9%, slightly lower than last year's growth. Despite consumer caution, factors like The shortened shopping season, with only 26 days between Black Friday and Christmas, could affect consumer behavior, with early promotions playing a key role. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/gsmyU5ci Restaurant Dive #Shopping #Retail #HolidaySeason #SocialMarketing Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Hangout Podcast Matthew Shay Doug McMillon Jeff Gennette Erik Nordstrom Vivek Sankaran Baldwin, CAPM

The holiday shopping season is on! Three quarters of respondents to Deloitte’s 2024 holiday retail survey say they’re looking for deals even before Black Friday. But their priorities have changed: They plan to spend more on experiences than gifts. How can retailers react to the shift to moments over merchandise? https://deloi.tt/4eMH7dZ #holidayretail #holidayshopping #holidaysurvey Authors: Brian McCarthy, Stephen Rogers, Lupine Skelly and Kusum Raimalani

Despite a rising cost of living, a majority of holiday shoppers plan to maintain their spending levels from previous years https://lnkd.in/eV25UedC 65% of survey respondents said they plan to spend the same as last year, while an additional 15% anticipate increasing their holiday spending #retail Chain Store Age

~ Retail Predictions for the New Year ~ As we stride into 2024, strategic inventory liquidation stands as the key retail maneuver. Michael Brown, Kearney's partner and Americas leader, forecasts critical retail trends for the new year and revisits the impressive 2023 holiday performance. Retailers should prioritize swift post-holiday inventory clearance to usher in the spring collection, aiming to optimize residual inventory from the fall/winter season. While post-holiday discounts might excel, choices might dwindle. Simultaneously, post-holiday gift card usage remains tepid, as most purchases occur pre-holidays, awaiting retailer restocking for redemption. Notably, 2023 revealed intriguing spending patterns; high restaurant and travel expenses contrasted with sluggish electronics sales. The consumer landscape prompts contemplation: will 2024 signify a return to goods-focused retail expeditions or lean towards experiential pursuits like dining and travel? Consumer preferences shall paint this narrative. Reflecting on the 2023 holiday spree, the advent of 'Orange Friday' led retailers to chase early consumer spends, strategically moving holiday sales initiation from post-Halloween, reinventing Black Friday's timeline. Remarkably, retailers adeptly managed discount levels, beginning modestly with select promotions and gradually escalating offers up to 40% off, allowing ample margin protection while enticing consumers throughout the holiday season. With such intricate retail nuances, 2024 pledges an exciting tapestry of inventory optimization, evolving consumer behaviors, and strategic retail maneuvers. 🔮 *** #Retail #Sales #Forecasting #Predictions #Strategy #ConsumerTrends

The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects U.S. holiday retail sales in November and December 2024 to rise between 2.5% and 3.5%, reaching $979.5 billion to $989 billion, setting a new record. 🧸 E-commerce sales are projected to grow 8% to 9%, slightly lower than last year's growth. Despite consumer caution, factors like The shortened shopping season, with only 26 days between Black Friday and Christmas, could affect consumer behavior, with early promotions playing a key role. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/grsdmpdk Restaurant Dive #Shopping #Retail #HolidaySeason #SocialMarketing Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Hangout Podcast Matthew Shay Doug McMillon Jeff Gennette Erik Nordstrom Vivek Sankaran Baldwin, CAPM