Survey Brings to Light Retailers and Consumers’ Sentiment Around the Upcoming Holiday Season
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Shoppers are feeling economic pressures this holiday season, with 85% citing inflation and increased prices as a top concern. In response, nearly 61% of supply chain leaders reported having invested in new technologies and processes to run more efficiently and reduce overall costs this season.
The High Price of Holiday Cheer
Both retailers and consumers are feeling the pressure of inflation. Approximately 70% of retailers are anticipating higher holiday costs, and nearly 85% of consumers cited increased prices as a top concern this holiday season. According to the
Retailers Are Responding with More Efficient Supply Chains
Also feeling inflationary pressures, supply chain leaders and retailers are leveraging new technologies, streamlining operations, and implementing strategic measures to optimize operations and reduce costs. 61% of retailers reported recent investments in new technologies to improve the efficiency of their supply chains. With this increased efficiency, 44% of retailers plan to make fewer seasonal hires in stores this year. However, 58% of supply chain leaders plan to increase their workforce to manage peak omnichannel demand. More than a third of the retailers surveyed will be implementing the latest automation technologies to hedge against rising costs (35%) and manage last-minute order surges (42%).
To mitigate the impact of inflation, nearly 70% of retailers said they will offer increased sales and discounts, 56% will offer discounts via their loyalty programs, and 34% will offer flexible payment options.
AI to the Rescue
Retailers are also applying the latest AI technologies to solve the problems listed above.80% of retail and supply chain leaders see AI as a solution and are leveraging AI tools to improve inventory management, demand forecasting, and customer service this holiday season.
Consumers Confident in Retailers’ Fulfillment Capabilities
Despite a general wariness about shipping reliability during the holiday season, nearly half (46%) of shoppers do not anticipate major delivery issues this year and only 34% expect some delays. Instead, the survey shows consumers have adjusted their priorities for cost-effective options over rapid delivery. While timely delivery certainly remains important, consumers care more about knowing the precise location and ETA of their orders over fastest delivery options. Despite their belt-tightening, retailers are confident of their ability to fulfill orders and respond to market changes. 92% of retail leaders feel assured in their fulfillment capabilities, and 87% of supply chain leaders are prepared for potential disruptions. 87% of retailers have also taken steps to keep shelves stocked with trending and high-demand products.
Holiday Shopping Will Start Early
With only 27 days between
Impact of the Upcoming Election on Holiday Spending
The survey revealed that the upcoming presidential election has a unique impact on holiday spending across different generations. Baby Boomers are twice as likely to spend less if their preferred candidate doesn’t win the election compared to Millennials. Additionally, concerns about post-election conflicts are driving consumers to move away from traditional shopping experiences with nearly 20% planning to reduce mall visits, with a preference for online shopping (22%) and crowd avoidance (25%) emerging as notable alternatives.
“This is a unique holiday season in many respects, but retail and supply chain leaders seem prepared for the challenge and seem confident in their ability to meet consumer expectations,” said
Methodology
Manhattan Associates’
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