Navigating this year’s fluctuating shopping dynamics will require patience and persistence with the consumer, and a perspective on the holiday season that extends beyond the traditional retail definition. That’s the word from the NDP Group, a market research firm, whose annual holiday spending survey revealed that while one in five consumers say they’ll send less on gifts this year, more of those purchases will be made in-stores than online. So, don’t wait until the last minute to decorate your store and put out the sale signs — more “early” pre-Thanksgiving shoppers are starting even earlier—39% started or plan to have started before October, according to NPD.
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