Dive Summary:

• Based on Shop.org’s e Holiday survey of online merchants, many retailers are beginning preparations for the upcoming holiday season.
• According to respondents, 74% began prepping in July of this year, and 51% will begin promotions for the holiday season by Oct. 31.
• This year, more than 57% of merchants surveyed have invested in mobile website optimization.

Dive Insight:                                       

“Retailers have been preparing for holiday for months, smartly investing in what’s important to online shoppers: value, free shipping, a user-friendly site, and flexible returns, among other features,” says Shop.org executive director Vicki Cantrell.

A large number of merchants are centering their marketing efforts around the omnichannel landscape in order to boost revenue. Website optimization and social media integration will play a key role for retailers in increasing return on investment this holiday season.