Almost Half Of All 2015 Holiday Shopping Will Be Digital
By Ally Kutz, contributing writer
Digital shopping will be a common tool for holiday shoppers to use when they tackle their gift lists this season. According to a report from the National Retail Federation (NRF), almost half of consumers (46 percent) say they plan to do their holiday shopping online — with this number up 1.6 percent from last year’s 44.4 percent.
The study found many consumers are looking for offers such as “buy online, pick up in store” or free shipping. Of those surveyed, 46.7 percent indicate that free shipping or shipping promotions were important to them, saying it would influence their buying decisions.
The projected average amount spent per person has increased to $805.65, up from last year’s $802.45. Of those surveyed, more than half (55.8 percent) said they planned to splurge on themselves or others for non-gift items, with this spending average reaching $131.59, up from last year’s $126.37.
Holiday shopping is also gearing up to be mobile, with 21.4 percent of smartphone owners saying they plan to purchase holiday products this year on their smartphones, 37.9 percent plan to use their smartphones to research products, and 28.4 percent expect to use their smartphones to check store hours or directions.
The survey also affirmed what has been a standing fact for 14 years now in the NRF survey: early bird shoppers still exist. About 40 percent of shoppers say they began their holiday shopping prior to Halloween, with 61.4 percent of them saying it helps with their holiday gift budgets. Another 48 percent say that they shop early in order to avoid the crowds and 46 percent say it’s to avoid the stress associated with last minute shopping.
Now for the ninth year in a row, NRF reports there continues to be a high demand for gift cards. According to the study, 58.8 percent of consumers say they would like to receive gift cards as a gift, making gift cards the most requested holiday item.
For the complete survey results, click here.