holiday Archives - WSL Strategic Retail

The Biggest Consumer Shopping Trends of 2023

February 6, 2023January 30, 2023 by WslAdmin

2023 Trends blog banner featuring collage of shoppers and new trends such as metaverse, drive thru shopping, and innovative self-checkouts

WSL has been following the path of consumer shopping for decades. And through 2022, shoppers led us on a more focused, lifestyle-specific retail trip. To prepare for 2023, we culled through our How America Shops® and Retail Safari® market research, and zeroed in on seven big trends that predict what’s next for retail. Some will ... Read more

Retail Breaks Rules to Follow Shoppers Into the Holidays

November 24, 2023December 5, 2022 by WslAdmin

Blog banner featuring red background with female and male shoppers smiling with several shopping deal coupons floating around them

Retailers are barreling into the height of holiday shopping season, and many are following a new playbook, from Black Fridays that jump the gun to secret sales for reward members. Retailers and brands are following the shoppers wherever they want to go, and getting good at the game. This Holiday Season, Retailers Follow Shoppers, Not ... Read more

New from WSL: Winning Shoppers During Holiday Price Fright

February 7, 2023October 12, 2022 by WslAdmin

Up to 25% of all shoppers plan to spend less on major holiday purchases this year, our latest How America Shops® survey shows. However, they don’t want to be Grinches about it. Many shoppers are trying to balance their budgets while finding ways to save the season. Here is how they plan to do it, ... Read more

20 New Shopper Trends Retailers Should Know for 2021

February 14, 2023December 21, 2020 by WslAdmin

20 New Trends blog banner featuring hands holding glittery 2021 paper numbers

As we look forward to a 2021 full of hope, we decided to look back on what shoppers have taught us this year, which is what retailers and brands will need to deliver next. Here are 20 of the most significant findings from WSL’s 2020 archives. Determination. In the WSL Dictionary of Retail and Shopper ... Read more

It’s a 2020 COVID Christmas, Are People Feeling the Spirit of Giving Gifts?

February 14, 2023November 24, 2020 by WslAdmin

WSL COVID Holiday Gifting - In The Words of Shoppers Banner featuring person in black shirt handing someone a gift with a red bow

We know the Internet will win a bigger share of holiday shopping, but at WSL we turned our attention to whether the spirit of making lists and giving gifts is thriving -- or not. Financially Speaking 2/3 of the US shoppers are feeling financially secure or even optimistic, creating a large pool of shoppers with ... Read more

How Retailers Can Show the Love this Holiday Season

February 14, 2023September 25, 2020 by WslAdmin

Gifting is how we show love, and many are feeling love and gratitude this year. So WSL expects shoppers will want to give and give this holiday season. Three findings from our new How America Shops® survey suggests retailers need a new approach to holiday marketing in 2020. How Are You Preparing to Show the ... Read more

Holiday Shopper Talk: Stockings to be Half Full

February 22, 2023December 11, 2019 by WslAdmin

As if the nation needed one more opinion on which to be divided: Half of shoppers are now giving the thumbs down to buying more gifts this holiday season. What is especially scary is those most likely to cut back are the youngest shoppers. Here’s what our 2019 Holiday How America Shops® research reveals. Will ... Read more

Holiday Shopper Talk: Shoppers Call Off Black Friday

February 22, 2023November 18, 2019 by WslAdmin

Who’s waiting for Black Friday? Fewer people than last year. Holiday shopping is increasingly becoming an all-season affair, diluting the deal-busting power of Black Friday. This isn’t necessarily bad news – as long as retailers recognize the advantages behind the trend. Here’s what our 2019 Holiday How America Shops® research reveals. This Holiday Season, Any Day ... Read more

Retailers are Hiring for the Holidays, but for the Store?

February 22, 2023October 22, 2019 by WslAdmin

Shoppers beware: Retailers are planning to hire more seasonal workers this season, but that doesn't assure better in-store experiences. Many of those workers will be fulfilling online orders far from the store. Retailers should make 2020 the year of the in-line-online balance. Retailers better watch out: If this holiday season’s in-store experiences are anything less ... Read more

How to Replace The Holiday Hype with Happiness

July 24, 2023November 9, 2017 by WslAdmin

Blog banner featuring woman smiling at her phone in a store with image of gift boxes next to her

Try what retailers may; the days of shoppers turning into last-minute Christmas fairies are fading. Holiday shopping behavior is now like everyday behavior, and shoppers just want to combine it into their regular activities. A few guiding trends can help brands prepare. The trees have been up since September and the carols were playing before ... Read more