The holiday season is the most competitive time of year and last year we faced the shortest shopping season (Black Friday to Christmas Day) in years – this year, we gain a day, which is great news for brands and retailers looking to capitalize on every high-intent shopper.
Our recommendation: stay agile and spend early – do not wait until Cyber Five to fully ramp your marketing strategies!
more sales, more customers, and a stronger finish to the season
This year, we’ve seen Home Décor pick up momentum while Apparel, Shoes & Accessories remain softer. After a strong August fueled by pre-Labor Day shopping, September trends are down slightly compared to last year, driven by declines in apparel sessions and conversion rates, with Home Décor down single digits in sessions.
According to an article by NRF, consumer behavior is shifting earlier than ever. Nearly half of shoppers (49%) plan to start Halloween shopping before October, compared to just 34% a decade ago. Younger shoppers, especially those 18–24, aren’t buying on impulse — they’re intentionally planning ahead to avoid last-minute stress, find the right décor, and perfect their costumes. This forward-planning mindset is likely to extend into the holidays, giving marketers a window to connect sooner.
So, what does this mean heading into Q4? Now is the time to sharpen your marketing mix and reach customers wherever they are.
That’s where Swift, our marketing platform, comes in. Swift helps you respond to business needs with the speed of digital while harnessing the power of direct mail.
With Swift, you can quickly pivot, launch campaigns into market fast, and capture those critical holiday wins.
The countdown to Q4 is on.
Are you ready to make this your strongest season yet?
Reach out to Angie Bickel, our SVP of Emerging Brands, Swift & Procurement, and win big this holiday!
