November is the busiest time of year for holiday shopping. This month you will get to shop Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday — and price lows you simply don't see throughout the rest of the year.
According to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey, the majority (76%) of Floridians will begin their holiday shopping before the start of December. The top shopping days for consumers this month are Cyber Monday (49%), Black Friday (48%), Thanksgiving Day (19%), and Small Business Saturday (19%).
Holiday spending is expected to increase thanks in part to increased disposable income, low gas prices, and a falling unemployment rate. The National Retail Association expects $655.8 billion in sales nationwide this holiday season. The average Florida shopper plans to spend $870 on gifts, an increase of 11% over last year.
Top Gift Purchases
- Apparel (68%)
- Gift cards (60%)
- Toys (39%)
- Jewelry (38%)
- Books (37%)
While apparel remains the most purchased gift for Floridians, recipients want to see gift cards under the tree. More than one quarter of consumers (28%) cited gift cards as the number one gift they want to receive during the holidays. The top selling gift cards are Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowes. AAA members who purchase gift cards at AAA braches in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee can earn 5 percent in AAA Dollars®, which count toward membership renewal costs. Those who purchase gift cards online at the AAA Gift Card Center can earn 2 percent in AAA Dollars®.
More Consumers Will Shop Online
Online shopping will be the preferred method for consumers this holiday season. Nearly three-fourths (72%) of gift buyers will do at least 50% of their holiday shopping on the internet, using their computer (76%), smartphone (30%), or tablet (24%).
The most popular shopping day for Floridians is Cyber Monday. Half (49%) of residents plan to buy gifts on the Monday after Thanksgiving, and retailers are responding. Holiday vendors, hungry for a piece of the online shopping share, are advertising on social media, and optimizing their websites and apps for mobile phones and tablets.
“Shoppers are increasingly drawn to the convenience of online shopping,” said Josh Carrasco, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
Shopping online allows people to avoid the crowds and shop at their convenience.
Amazon predicts record-setting sales this year
Amazon predicts record-setting sales this year from businesses selling on Amazon as they prepare for a busy holiday season. Amazon’s 2016 Holiday Toy List offers a hand-selected list of more than a thousand of the season’s most sought-after products for kids featuring the hottest toys, games for the entire family, electronics, popular books, learning toys and more.
