How Smartphones Are Impacting Holiday Sales

he holiday season has always been a peak time for retail, with consumers heading to stores in search of the perfect gifts. However, in recent years, there’s been a significant shift in how holiday shopping takes place. Smartphones have become an essential tool in transforming the way consumers browse, compare, and purchase gifts during the busiest shopping season of the year.

From driving eCommerce growth to enhancing in-store experiences, smartphones have completely changed the dynamics of holiday sales. As consumers increasingly rely on their smartphones for everything from browsing to buying, mobile apps have emerged as a powerful platform for engaging customers, improving the shopping experience, and increasing sales.

Here’s a look at how smartphones are impacting holiday shopping, and what this means for retailers and consumers alike.

One of the most significant changes in holiday shopping trends is the rapid growth of mobile commerce. Smartphones are now a primary gateway for online shopping, especially during the holiday season. Between January and July, consumer spending via mobile devices rose 10.2% year-over-year to $280.4 billion. During the holiday season, 53% of online sales is expected to happen on mobile devices, according to Adobe Analytics.

Consumers love the convenience of being able to shop on the go. Whether they’re commuting, waiting in line, or relaxing at home, shoppers can access mobile apps and websites and browse products at any time. This ease of access is particularly crucial during the busy holiday season when customers are managing tight schedules and juggling multiple tasks. This growing shift to mobile shopping means retailers must optimize their mobile websites and apps to ensure a smooth, seamless shopping experience. 

Even in physical stores, smartphones are playing a critical role. Many retailers now offer mobile-friendly features such as store maps, product availability information, and personalized offers. During the holiday season, these tools help shoppers find the items they want quickly, saving them time and reducing stress. Additionally, some retailers are equipping their sales associates with mobile devices to assist customers, process payments, and check inventory in real-time. This technology enhances the in-store experience, creating a more seamless and efficient shopping journey.

Levi’s is rolling out the BackPocket app, a mobile solution for in-store stylists designed to provide real-time information and a 360-degree view of the shopper across all channels. Through the app, stylists can sync to a customer’s loyalty account and obtain data such as the customer’s previous purchases, style preferences, sizing, and saved products to offer more personalized recommendations. The app also provides stylists with the ability to virtually check real-time local inventory and source products from other locations or channels for delivery. Planned app enhancements include integrated digital return and exchange functionality. 

Mobile apps provide a more streamlined, convenient, and personalized shopping experience, making them a popular platform for customers during the holiday season. More retailers are developing dedicated mobile apps to enhance customer loyalty, drive engagement, and boost holiday sales. A well-designed mobile app makes the shopping experience simple and hassle-free. Retailers are offering exclusive holiday deals, early access to sales, and loyalty rewards directly through their apps.

Apps that incorporate user data, such as previous purchases and browsing history, can offer tailored recommendations and promotions. With features like easy navigation, saved payment details, and saved shipping information, mobile apps significantly reduce friction in the buying process. The easier and faster it is for customers to complete their purchase, the more likely they are to follow through, reducing cart abandonment. Mobile apps also allow for push notifications, enabling retailers to alert customers to flash sales, order updates, or restocked products, which is especially valuable during the holiday season.

Smartphones empower consumers with the ability to research products and compare prices anywhere, anytime. Shoppers can read reviews, check product ratings, and compare prices across multiple retailers with just a few taps. This increased transparency forces retailers to offer competitive pricing and exceptional customer service if they want to win over holiday shoppers. Companies are expanding their mobile capabilities to offer customers greater opportunities for product discovery and research.

Amazon is rolling out AI shopping guides in its U.S. iOS and Android app and mobile website on over 100 types of products. The new guides consolidate key product information and offer educational content and customer insights. Guide users can also leverage Rufus, Amazon’s generative AI-based expert shopping assistant, to answer customer questions on topics such as shopping needs, products and comparisons, make recommendations, and facilitate product discovery.

Smartphones are transforming how customers browse, buy, and interact with brands during the holiday season. As mobile commerce continues to grow, retailers that prioritize optimizing mobile experiences, leveraging mobile apps, and enhancing the customer experience will be better equipped to thrive during the busiest season of the year.

For more information about how our delivery management solution can help you manage your deliveries more efficiently this holiday season, please contact info@bringoz.com.