Tag: shopping season

Love and spending are in the air: Valentine’s Day sales to hit record $27.5 billion

This Valentine’s Day, consumers are set to spend a record $27.5 billion, surpassing last year’s $25.8 billion and exceeding the previous all-time high of $27.4 billion set in 2020. According to the latest survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF)...

E-commerce shines bright as U.S. holiday spending climbs in 2024

Holiday retail sales in the U.S., excluding automotive purchases, rose by 3.8% from November 1 to December 24 compared to the same period in 2023, according to the latest Mastercard SpendingPulse report. The data shows a resilient consumer base fuelled...

UK shoppers can’t be bothered to wrap presents

According to new Bango research, a growing trend among UK Christmas shoppers is choosing subscription gifts to streamline the festive season. The study reveals that 29% preferred gifting subscriptions to avoid the hassle of wrapping traditional presents. For those celebrating Christmas...

AI takes centre stage in UK Christmas marketing strategies

Over half of UK marketers (55%) utilise artificial intelligence (AI) to strategically plan and enhance their seasonal marketing campaigns, according to new research by Optimizely. The study, which surveyed 100 marketers across the UK, shows the increasing reliance on AI...

Amazon workers in over 20 countries to protest during Black Friday weekend

Amazon workers across more than 20 countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., plan to strike from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, two of the retail giant’s busiest shopping days. The protests, organized by UNI Global Union and Progressive International,...

Gen Z lead pay-later spending for personal purchases

A recent report by Splitit emphasises that 42% of Gen Z prioritises pay-later plans for personal purchases this holiday season, with 35% using these options for entertainment and 25% for dining out. Nearly half (47%) of Gen Z indicated that...

What to expect for Cyber Five 2024

The Cyber Five shopping frenzy is finally here again. Spanning Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, this period sets the tone for holiday shopping, blending steep discounts with the convenience of omnichannel experiences. According to a report by Numerator, 84% of U.S....

AI and online shopping shape Black Friday 2024 trends

Black Friday 2024 is expected to match last year’s record-breaking performance, with consumer participation and spending levels at the highest level, according to new data from Attest. This year’s key trend is the surge in AI adoption for shopping assistance. Over...

Target harnesses AI and tech to elevate holiday shopping experience

Target is ready to deliver a seamless and rewarding shopping experience this holiday season with over 400,000 team members, including 100,000 seasonal hires. Backed by investments in technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and a robust supply chain, the omnichannel retailer aims...

63% of UK shoppers hesitate to use AI for online purchases

According to a recent Zendesk survey of over 8,400 global consumers, British shoppers rank among the most digitally aware regarding AI. As many as 84% of UK consumers are familiar with AI tools like digital shopping assistants, and nearly half...