The Christmas season has come to mean the period when the public plays Santa Claus to the merchants.   ~ John Andrew Holmes

It’s that time of year again, when we are thinking about the upcoming Christmas season and gearing up for holiday shopping.  As Susie Gharib of NBR reports, more of us will be taking advantage of online options than ever before; the National Retail Federation reports Internet sales are likely to be up 15% from last year.  It’s no wonder with the growth of smart phones and tablets.  About a third of online shoppers will be showrooming in search of the best deal, as told by comScore’s Executive Chairman Gian Fulgoni to NBR’s Diane Eastabrook.

Gian Fulgoni also indicates social media’s role in holiday retail is poised to have a greater persuasive impact.  Look for Facebook and Pinterest to figure in as well as consumer site Fancy, organized with product engagement in mind.  Another up-and-comer in the holiday retail space are the daily dealers, like Groupon and LivingSocial.  Sylvia Hall of NBR reports on the industry’s evolution, from the first significant holiday season occurring in 2010 to at least $150 million projected in 2012 (notes Unaiz Kabani, Data Product Manager of Yipit.com). Even eBay is getting in on the act, the launch of a new daily deals offering in addition to the recent revamping of its logo and website to become more appealing as a holiday shopping go-to.

So, how do you plan to shop for the holidays this year?  Do you anticipate mobile playing a greater role in your holiday shopping?  Share your thoughts about your favorite holiday retailers.

Vanaja R.

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