6 Holiday Trends for 2015
With the 2015 holiday season in full swing, here are the latest trends and stories that caught our attention:
- The backlash against stores starting “Black Friday” on Thanksgiving (sometimes even before the pumpkin pie has been served!) continued this year. In a refreshing return to normalcy, REI, Costco, Nordstrom and other chains chose to give their employees the day off instead of fueling the holiday shopping rush.
- The 11.7% increase in digital shopping dominated the news reports about Cyber Monday. When all is said and done, it’s estimated that online purchases will account for $1 out of every $7 in holiday spending.
- We recently explored the neuroscience behind print advertising. U.K. advertisers are taking things to the next level with their investment in the neuroscience behind long form ads created to engage and build positive brand association.
- Millenials reject conspicuous consumerism by favoring the gift of an experience over things. “A day at the spa, a baseball game, the ballet — rather than a sweater or a pair of socks that no one wants.”
- IBM’s Watson (the super computer you may remember from the game show “Jeopardy“) is using Big Data to help shoppers find the hottest gifts this season.
- Even in the digital age, good old-fashioned holiday window displays still draw shoppers and influence 24% of holiday purchases.
Are you seeing any new or surprising trends this season? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @SayWhatcr.
