7 Holiday Shopping Predictions for 2021: Preparing Your eCommerce Business for Success

Introduction

As we approach the 2021 holiday season, eCommerce businesses are gearing up for what promises to be another unprecedented year. The 2020 holiday season saw a remarkable surge in online sales, with U.S. consumers breaking records during the Cyber 5 period (Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday), marking a 20.6% increase in online purchases. This shift was largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted in-store shopping.

At FreightAmigo, we understand the importance of staying ahead of industry trends. As a full-service, one-stop digital supply chain finance platform, we're committed to helping businesses navigate the evolving landscape of eCommerce and logistics. In this article, we'll explore seven key predictions for the 2021 holiday shopping season and discuss how businesses can prepare for success.

1. Increased Online and Hybrid Shopping

One of the most significant trends we expect to see this holiday season is the continued growth of online shopping, even as physical stores reopen. The future of retail is increasingly becoming a blend of online and offline experiences.

Key points to consider:

• Online shopping will remain strong, with traditional stores entering the digital arena.
• Customers interact with various digital touchpoints before making a purchase decision.
• Online platforms offer advantages such as detailed product information, customer reviews, and price comparisons.
• Successful retailers will need to provide exceptional shopping experiences both online and in-store.

At FreightAmigo, we recognize the importance of this shift towards Digital Platforms. Our comprehensive Digital Logistics Solution is designed to support businesses in managing their online and offline operations seamlessly. By leveraging our platform, companies can streamline their logistics processes, ensuring they're well-equipped to meet customer demands across all channels.

2. Early Start to Holiday Shopping

Another key prediction for the 2021 holiday season is that consumers will begin their shopping earlier than usual. This trend is largely influenced by the supply chain disruptions experienced in 2020.

Important considerations:

• In 2020, 70% of shoppers planned to start holiday shopping early to avoid crowds and stock shortages.
• A similar trend is expected for 2021.
• Retailers should consider launching holiday promotions earlier to meet this early demand.

FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Platform can help businesses prepare for this early shopping trend. Our platform provides real-time inventory tracking and management capabilities, allowing retailers to monitor stock levels and adjust their strategies accordingly. This ensures that businesses can meet the early demand without risking stockouts or overstocking.

3. Early Inventory Preparation

Given the expected supply chain constraints, early inventory preparation will be crucial for retailers this holiday season.

Key factors to consider:

• Items typically need to be ordered 3-9 months in advance to ensure timely fulfillment.
• Global supply chains are likely to face significant shortages due to increased consumer demand and limited production capacity.
• Retailers must consider inventory preparation, timely supply arrival, potential shipping constraints, and the impact of store reopenings on carriers.

FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Solution offers powerful tools to help businesses navigate these challenges. Our platform provides comprehensive visibility into the supply chain, allowing retailers to track their inventory from production to delivery. This level of insight enables businesses to make informed decisions about inventory management and helps mitigate the risks associated with supply chain disruptions.

4. Demand for Convenient Options

Convenience will be a dominant trend in holiday shopping for 2021. Retailers need to develop strategies that cater to various customer demands.

Key customer expectations include:

• Flexible online purchasing options
• In-store pickup capabilities
• In-store product reservation and try-on services
• Immediate delivery options
• Simple return and exchange processes

One strategy to meet these demands is implementing Buy Online, Pickup In-Store (BOPIS) options. This allows customers to make online purchases and collect their orders through various methods, including designated pickup areas, curbside pickup, or BOPIS retail lockers.

FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Platform is designed to support these convenient options. Our solution can integrate with various pickup and delivery methods, ensuring a smooth experience for both retailers and customers. By leveraging our platform, businesses can efficiently manage their BOPIS operations, track deliveries, and coordinate returns, all from a single, user-friendly interface.

5. Growth in Mobile Shopping

Mobile shopping is expected to see significant growth during the 2021 holiday season. While this trend offers convenience for on-the-go shoppers, it also presents challenges such as increased cart abandonment rates.

To capitalize on this trend, retailers should:

• Provide a seamless end-to-end mobile shopping experience
• Offer mobile-specific discounts to encourage purchases
• Consider providing coupon codes with subscriptions

At FreightAmigo, we understand the importance of mobile optimization in eCommerce. Our Digital Platform is fully responsive, ensuring that businesses can manage their logistics operations efficiently from any device. This mobile-first approach extends to our customer-facing solutions as well, allowing retailers to provide their customers with real-time tracking and updates directly on their mobile devices.

6. Increased Significance of Social Media

Social media is expected to play an even more crucial role in holiday shopping for 2021. With the ongoing impact of the pandemic, more shoppers are turning to digital channels for their purchases, and brand discovery is increasingly happening on mobile devices through social media platforms.

To leverage this trend, merchants should:

• Establish a strong social media presence
• Develop a well-planned social media strategy before the holiday season
• Consider using tools like Facebook for BigCommerce to thrive across platforms like Facebook and Instagram

While FreightAmigo's primary focus is on logistics and supply chain management, we recognize the importance of social media in modern eCommerce. Our Digital Logistics Platform can integrate with various eCommerce platforms and tools, allowing businesses to seamlessly connect their social media sales channels with their logistics operations. This integration ensures that orders from social media platforms are efficiently processed and fulfilled, providing a smooth experience for both businesses and their customers.

7. Increased Importance of Customer Reviews

Customer reviews will play a crucial role in influencing purchasing decisions during the 2021 holiday season. Shoppers are increasingly relying on feedback and social proof before making purchases.

To leverage this trend, retailers should:

• Provide comprehensive product information and educational content
• Encourage and showcase customer reviews, including both positive and negative feedback
• Focus on building trust with customers through transparent communication

At FreightAmigo, we understand the importance of trust and transparency in business operations. Our Digital Logistics Platform provides businesses with real-time visibility into their supply chain, allowing them to communicate accurately with their customers about shipping times, inventory levels, and potential delays. This level of transparency can help build trust with customers and encourage positive reviews based on reliable service.

Conclusion

As we approach the 2021 holiday season, it's clear that eCommerce businesses need to be prepared for a range of scenarios. Whether customers prefer in-store shopping or the convenience of online purchases, businesses must be ready to meet their needs across various channels.

At FreightAmigo, we're committed to helping businesses navigate these challenges. Our Digital Logistics Platform provides the tools and insights needed to manage complex supply chains, optimize inventory, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. By leveraging our solutions, businesses can position themselves for success this holiday season and beyond.

Remember, the key to success lies in early preparation, flexibility, and a customer-centric approach. By keeping these predictions in mind and utilizing the right Digital Logistics Solution, your business can thrive during this critical shopping period.