Summer’s over, school has begun, and America’s major holiday season is just around the corner. Most retailers are anxious to hear that the sales predictions will be positive, and that’s exactly what was recently reported by National Retail Federation’s Kathy Grannis Allen.
Sales for November and December, 2015, (excluding auto, gas, and restaurant sales) are expected to increase a solid 3.7% to $630.5 billion, up from a 10-year average of 2.5%. Online sales are forecast to increase between 6 and 8%.
Although healthy growth is expected, and economic indicators have improved in many areas, it appears that consumers still have the economy on their minds and will spend prudently and deliberately, though with less restraint than was shown even two years ago.
Price, value, and timing will help determine how, when, where, and why people shop over the holiday season, and retailers will need to be competitive on price, digital initiatives, store hours, product offerings and more.
How are you preparing now for the best shopping season ever? Is your inventory under control? (NCR’s Counterpoint POS Software can help you with that issue!) Are you tracking your customers adequately to target your advertising? (Counterpoint CustomerConnect can keep you in touch with your customer base.) Are you set up for mobile sales? (Counterpoint CPMobile can do this for you!)
Need more information? Call CCS today at 800/425-672-4806 or email us. We have the answers for you. Get yourself set for a Bright Holiday Season!
Marlene.