🎁🛍️ Welcome to our special edition!

Attract Early Shoppers for a Lucrative Holiday Season 🚨' is our focus today. Learn about the '11 Key Days' that matter most and how to prepare early for a profitable season. Discover unique marketing strategies that will set you apart in the holiday shopping frenzy. It's time to make this year your best one yet – let's dive in! 🌟

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Attract Early Shoppers for a Lucrative Holiday Season 🎁🛍️

11 Key Days of This Holiday Season: How to Prepare Early and Drive Profits 🚨

Unique Marketing Strategies To Implement This Holiday Shopping Season⏩📈

Attract Early Shoppers for a Lucrative Holiday Season 🎁🛍️

✨Get ready for an extra-long holiday shopping season this year. People are buying gifts early because they've seen the challenges the pandemic brought to holiday shopping - like problems with getting products, prices going up and down, and not enough staff in stores. Now, they're starting their shopping several months ahead to ensure they get what they want, when they want it, and at the right price. 

To give you an idea of how early they're starting, as early as July, Google searches for "Black Friday deals" increased by more than 200% in the U.S. compared to last year. This enthusiasm from shoppers means that stores have a great opportunity to attract smart shoppers early and make money over a longer period.

Welcome Shoppers from All Sides 🙌🥳

Holiday shopping is different now. People follow their instincts to find the perfect gift, and they shop both online and in stores. They often look at different types of products at the same time to get ideas. Last year, 54% of shoppers used five or more ways, like search, videos, and social media, to shop over two days during the holidays. Because people mix their ideas, browsing, and shopping times, stores have more chances to get their attention. 🛒👀🖥️

Turn Shoppers into Fans 📊😲

Shoppers during the holidays can become big fans of a brand. When people have a good time buying gifts, they are more likely to come back and shop again, even after Black Friday. Stores have a great chance to give holiday shoppers a reason to come back. To do that, stores should show what makes them special and why shoppers should choose them. For example, brands can talk about their great customer service, how they support important causes, give rewards to loyal customers, or do all of these and more. 🥰🛒🏆

To get the most out of the holiday season, get ready for important dates that can help you have a successful and profitable time. 📅🎄💼

11 Key Days of This Holiday Season: How to Prepare Early and Drive Profits

🎃 October 31: Halloween - Get Spooky and Inspire Shoppers 🎃

Halloween is fast approaching, and the festivities are kicking off earlier each year. An interesting trend from last year was the global surge in Google Image searches for "family Halloween costumes," which grew over 90% compared to 2020 from June to August. This provides a unique opportunity for DTC marketers to tap into this enthusiasm.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

To capitalize on this trend, consider using Discovery campaigns. These campaigns can attract shoppers by providing them with visual inspiration as they explore Google's personalized feeds on platforms like YouTube, Discovery, and Gmail.

💸 November 11: Singles Day and Mega Sale Events - A Global Shopping Extravaganza 💸

Singles Day, originating as an unofficial Chinese holiday has transformed into one of the world's largest mobile shopping extravaganzas, celebrated on November 11 (11/11). Mega sale days, such as 10/10, 11/11, and 12/12, are becoming increasingly popular in Southeast Asia, with the digital economy set to reach a staggering $1 trillion gross merchandise value by 2030.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

For DTC marketers looking to make a splash during these mega sales events, consider employing Performance Max campaigns. These campaigns allow you to connect with a broad audience at scale. Complement your strategy with App campaigns to attract users who value a seamless mobile experience and set up deep linking for a smoother transition from web to app.

🛍️ Nov. 25–28: Black Friday Weekend - Attract Savvy Shoppers 🛍️

While holiday shopping begins early, it's noteworthy that more than half of shoppers are inclined to wait for discounts. Additionally, many shoppers are open to trying new brands due to rising prices, as evidenced by a substantial shift in consumer behavior.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

DTC marketers can take advantage of this trend by targeting new customers across the web using Performance Max's new customer acquisition goal. Moreover, stand out to deal-seekers by incorporating sales price annotations on your ads and offering free listings.

🏪 November 26: Small Business Saturday (U.S.) - Embrace Local Support 🏪

Small businesses hold significant importance within local communities, with over two-thirds of U.S. consumers acknowledging their value. In 2022, a remarkable 51 million shoppers participated in Small Business Saturday, and a vast majority of them specifically sought to support this event.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

DTC marketers can make a local impact by promoting their available inventory through local inventory ads. Utilize tools like Pointy to showcase products directly on your Business Profile. Additionally, keep your profile fresh with information on in-store events or deals to create a favorable first impression.

🤝 November 29: GivingTuesday - Support Socially Responsible Choices 🤝

Despite global challenges, the desire of consumers to make socially conscious choices remains steadfast. In 2021, GivingTuesday garnered participation from an estimated 35 million adults in the U.S. Moreover, 48% of consumers express their willingness to support companies that champion social causes.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

DTC marketers can inform their customers about what makes their business unique through business identity attributes and recycling attributes featured on their Business Profile. These features simplify the process for shoppers to align with brands that share their values.

🎁 December 17: Super Saturday - Last-Minute Shoppers Unite 🎁

This is the last Saturday before Christmas and the commencement of Hanukkah, making it an ideal moment to steer customers to your physical store locations. Notably, searches for phrases like "in stock near me" and "gift card where to buy" witnessed an 80% global surge during the period from Super Saturday to Christmas Eve last year.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

For DTC marketers seeking in-store success, consider measuring and optimizing for store visits or sales through Performance Max. Explore additional strategies to drive in-store sales during the holiday season.

🚚 December 20: Last Day for Express Shipping - Convenience Matters 🚚

Convenience reigns supreme during the holiday period, with a whopping 75% of holiday shoppers across surveyed countries expressing their intent to shop at stores offering free shipping.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

DTC marketers should first verify the shipping deadlines provided by trusted carriers, as they may vary. Ensure that your customers are aware of your quick and timely shipping options through free and fast shipping annotations. Implement account and item-level shipping options to emphasize your shipping speed.

🎅 December 24: Christmas Eve - Cater to Last-Minute Shoppers 🎅

Even the most organized shoppers sometimes find themselves scrambling to complete their holiday gift lists. Last year, searches for "last-minute Christmas gifts" saw a staggering global growth of over 700% in the week leading up to December 25.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

To draw in last-minute shoppers, DTC marketers can add store pickup labels to their local inventory ads. This allows shoppers to identify which products can be picked up in-store today, in a few days, or via curbside.

🎁 December 26: Boxing Day - Indulgence After the Holidays 🎁

Once the gifts have been unwrapped and the guests have left, many people indulge in some well-deserved self-treating, especially during the holiday season. In fact, an average of 30% of consumers in surveyed countries worldwide say that they reward themselves with purchases they desire.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

As customers start using gift cards and have more personal time to indulge, DTC marketers can leverage the bestsellers report and competitive visibility report in the Merchant Center to identify brands and products in high demand and adjust their post-holiday strategy accordingly.

🎉 December 31: New Year's Eve - Evolving Consumer Trends 🎉

As New Year's celebrations approach, it's essential to recognize that not all customers will be in pursuit of party supplies, fancy outfits, and glitter makeup. According to McKinsey, the "nesting" trend, emphasizing comfort and self-care, appears to persist, with about one-third of consumers not yet comfortable attending public indoor events.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

DTC marketers should highlight products related to resolutions, self-care, home refreshes, and yearly planning. Video action campaigns, which combine video with browsable product feeds, can be a valuable tool to capture the attention of consumers with evolving needs.

💰 January 1: Sales Season - Catering to Price-Conscious Shoppers 💰

In January, shoppers will be hunting for bargains to fulfill their New Year's resolutions, with searches for "cheap and best" experiencing significant growth.

🔍 Tip to Prepare:

To attract price-conscious customers, DTC marketers can upload their best promotions and deals in the Merchant Center or scale their existing promotions through the Content API. This allows them to cater to shoppers looking for the best value for their money.

Unique Marketing Strategies To Implement This Holiday Shopping Season🎁🛍️

The holiday shopping season is a critical time for direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketers in the USA. With increased competition and changing consumer preferences, it's essential to develop unique and effective marketing strategies to stand out. 🚀

1. Sustainable Packaging and Messaging:

Consumers increasingly value sustainability. Embrace eco-friendly packaging and messaging. Highlight your commitment to the environment in your marketing materials and consider donating a portion of your holiday sales to a relevant cause. 🌱🌍♻️

1. Limited-Edition Holiday Bundles:

Create limited-edition holiday bundles that offer exclusive value. These bundles can be themed around popular gift categories, providing shoppers with convenient and unique gifting options. Promote them through email marketing and on your website. 🎁🌟

1. Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping Experiences:

Implement AR features that allow customers to visualize products in their own space. This is especially effective for items like home decor, clothing, and accessories. Enable AR try-ons and home placement demos to increase confidence in purchasing. 👓🏡

1. Live Shopping Events:

Host live shopping events on social media or through your website. Feature product demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and Q&A sessions with experts. Encourage real-time engagement, questions, and exclusive discounts for attendees. 📹🎤💬

1. AI-Powered Chatbots:

Enhance customer service and sales by integrating AI-powered chatbots on your website. These chatbots can assist shoppers with gift recommendations, product information, and order tracking, creating a seamless shopping experience. 🤖💬

1. Collaborations and Influencer Partnerships:

Collaborate with influencers and other DTC brands to reach a broader audience. Partner with influencers who align with your brand and values to create authentic and impactful content. 👥📢

1. Exclusive Early Access:

Reward loyal customers by offering exclusive early access to holiday deals and product launches. This can create a sense of VIP treatment and loyalty, driving repeat purchases and referrals. 🎉🔒

Your Voice 🎤

Phew! That was a lot, right? But hey, knowledge is power🌟. We hope this edition gave you some insights and maybe even cleared up a few doubts.

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