go-go gifts

Black Friday 2015 Was Black Indeed This Year

Early results are in:  Black Friday was a wash out!  Research firm ShopperTrak reports that retail sales were down 10% this past “Black Friday.” Some pundits blame the Friday downturn on sales shifting to Thanksgiving, but ShopperTrak says sales were down then too and by the same percentage.

Retailers’ remaining hope is that internet sales will pull them out this year, but given consumers’ current attitudes and shopping behavior throughout 2015, it is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY that the economy will see anywhere near the 3.7% increase National Retail Federation predicts for this holiday season.

Just look at retail spending through October 2015, as compared with 2014. Take dining and automobile expenditures out of the picture and pure retail is down .4% YoY.

 

retail sales thru oct

But there are some bright spots in the retail mix, including the obvious electronic and mail-order businesses, up over 11% through September 2015, the latest month detail data is available. Not far behind internet in strong retail sales are gift stores, posting 9.3% year-over-year growth. 

 

Retail Bright Spots

Gift Stores Specialize in Gifting Experiences

Here’s the conclusions I draw from this data:  Most retail is in the doldrums this year.  Retailers were hoping and praying that holiday gift sales would pull them out of it by the end of the year, but it will take a MIRACLE over the next four weeks for that to happen. On the other hand, gift retailers are going against the trend and doing really well this year.  Gift retailers specialize in gifts and serving the gifting customer.

Obviously gift retailers know something about gifts and gifting that many others retailers don’t. Gift stores understand the gifting needs of the customers and are being rewarded as a result.

Obviously gift retailers know something about gifts and gifting that many others retailers don’t.  Gift stores understand the gifting needs of the customers and are being rewarded as a result.

Learn the secret of successful gift retailing from Unity Marketing 

Unity Marketing has a solution for retailers struggling with weak holiday gift sales.  For years, Unity Marketing has focused research on understanding the gifting customers, their needs and shopping habits.   We want to share taht knowledge with you, through a new in-depth research study of the gifting market, entitled Gifting Report 2015: The Ultimate Guide to the Consumer Gift-Giving Market.

One of the important findings from the latest Gifting Report is that customers are spending less on gifts for Christmas and more for gifting needs throughout the rest of the year.  Retailers can’t rely upon the fourth quarter anymore to bolster their annual earnings.  Retailers must get into the gift business year-round, like gift stores do, and provide solutions to gifters’ needs in good gift selections, affordable prices and attractive, gift-worthy presentation.

The Gifting Report will show you how.  Order your copy today and guarantee retail success in the gifting market in 2016 and beyond.

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