The Early Bird Catches the Sale 👀

Hello lovely Monarch readers 👋🏼

Bailey here, coming to your inbox with some holiday shopping tea 🍵🎅🏼 

You might be thinking “Um? Bailey? It’s freshly scorpio season, we still have at least a month before we must shift into holiday overdrive?!?”

And let me stop you right there. First of all, I’m SO excited we have finally entered the best Zodiac szn of the year 🦂🎃👻 And while I want to savor this time, I also must relay this year’s shopping trends ASAP… since the holiday shopping craze has already begun!!!

Top retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have made their pitches to consumers earlier than ever, introducing sales events like ‘Prime Big Deal Days’ and other Holiday online deals. While we usually associate special prices with the winter chill, this year, it's clear that 'Christmas in October' isn't just a catchphrase.

So wait, why are retailers doing this?

Well, this quote from Marshal Cohen (the chief retail advisor for Circana) sums it up pretty well:

It’s predicted that shoppers may be more reluctant to spend this year with the return of student loans, the rising interest rates, the international conflicts.. among many other factors (☹️). With that, analysts suggest that shoppers may be more likely to overspend as they spread out their purchases over an extended period of time.

🚨BE WEARY OF DEAL-BAITING🚨

Some spending statistics for the lady bosses

Don’t like numbers? You will after seeing three categories full of SICK holiday season spending stats coming @ you from PwC 🌟

1. Post-Pandemic spending is on the rise

Shoppers are ready to splash some cash this year, with a whopping 7% increase in spending! On average, humans are setting aside $1,530 for those perfect gifts, travel, and entertainment.

Speaking of travel, the summer fever isn't cooling down - we're looking at a 12% rise in travel spending compared to last winter. A cool 40% of shoppers are upping their game from last year, and if you're from a household earning $120,000 or more, you might be shelling out over $3,000!

AND HEY - don’t discount the young shoppers!!! Gen Z is holding its own this year 🎁✈️💸

2. Online > Retail, and Home delivery > Everything Else

Home delivery has always been a hit, but thanks to the pandemic, it’s really found its groove. Today's shopper also loves the accompanying tech advancements that come with home delivery, like advanced tracking & clear proof-of-delivery 🛍️🚚🎉

3. Women have increased their holiday budgets

Ladies are set to rock the shopping scene this year, spending 11% more than in 2022. And guess what? We’ve been setting records, flocking to movies and concerts like never before 💁‍♀️

More about the ladies (& lady lads, of course🤠):

1. We’re absolute champs at hunting down the best deals

2. We value those free & quick returns

3. We love pampering our loved ones with gifts

4. We prefer gift cards over a silly little generic gift

Here's a fun fact: Unlike the gents, women shoppers aren't tied down to brands. We’re savvy switchers, always on the lookout for what aligns with our most important values 🛍️💁‍♀️🎁

Ok that’s all for today folks - I NEED SOME COFFEE ☕

Happy spooky season go give a scorpio (me) a kith on the head 🦂

Bailey

Sources:

1. Forbes: Why retailers are pushing holiday shopping so early

2. PWC: 2023 Holiday shopping trends

3. Talk Business: Retailers push earlier holiday deals