Reimagining Retail: What This Year’s Thanksgiving Holiday Shopping Period Told Us | Dec 11, 2024
Dec 11, 2024
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Zach Stambor, a Senior Analyst at eMarketer, dissected the trends from the recent Thanksgiving holiday shopping period. He highlighted the surge in e-commerce sales compared to in-store shopping, fueled by consumer preferences and economic factors. The discussion also explored how tariffs impacted big-ticket item purchases and the growing influence of Buy Now, Pay Later services, particularly on Cyber Monday. Additionally, they delved into the role of generative AI in enhancing retail experiences, shaping how consumers engage with online shopping.
This year's Thanksgiving shopping period saw a remarkable 14.6% increase in e-commerce sales, highlighting a shift towards online purchasing over in-store visits.
The rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services indicated a strategic change in consumer spending habits, reflecting a cautious yet determined approach to budget management during sales events.
Deep dives
Increased Spending During Cyber 5
Shoppers displayed an increase in spending throughout the entirety of the Cyber 5, not limited to just Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Notably, retail sales excluding autos rose by 3.4% year-over-year, with e-commerce witnessing a significant jump of 14.6%. This reflects a broader trend where consumers are increasingly choosing online purchasing over in-store visits. The overall growth in e-commerce sales was strong enough to align with forecasts, indicating a robust retail season.
The Impact of Big-Ticket Purchases
Consumer interest in big-ticket items like TVs and furniture was surprisingly high during Cyber 5, despite economic concerns. This trend can be attributed to shoppers waiting for better discounts available during this sales period, as well as the influence of tariffs and rising prices being discussed in the media. The perception that prices will increase in the future drove consumers to make these large purchases now. Retailers using this narrative have heightened awareness, prompting proactive spending ahead of potential price hikes.
Emergence of Generative AI and BNPL
Generative AI began to influence online retail this Cyber 5, with reports indicating that about 20% of online spending was impacted by AI tools. Retailers leveraging these technologies experienced a 2% higher conversion rate compared to those that did not. Additionally, the use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services reached an all-time high, indicating shoppers are increasingly turning to alternative payment methods to manage their budgets. This trend suggests a strategic shift in consumer spending habits, pointing towards a cautious but persistent desire to purchase during sales events.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss how folks viewed big ticket items over the Thanksgiving holiday shopping period, how in-store foot traffic shook out, and the impact of buy now, pay later (BNPL). Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff.
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