Holiday Ready
This year more than ever, I feel as though Halloween led straight into the Christmas season starting Nov. 1. Maybe there’s just more people posting about their tree decorating on social media or retailers teasing holiday sales, or maybe consumers really are hopping on board earlier.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers’ winter holiday spending is expected to increase 4.1 percent this year, with the average consumer saying they’ll spend $1,007.24.
The majority of shoppers (60 percent) are starting to make their holiday purchases this month, in November. And make sure you’re offering gift cards online and in store — 60 percent of people request these as gifts.
I need your help.
I’m heading to Pennsylvania next week before the Thanksgiving holiday we don’t want to forget about with all this Christmas talk.
I’d love your recommendations on garden centers I need to visit! Please send them to me at [email protected], and feel free to include how your season is going in your message.
Merchandiser of the Year Winner
Have you heard who won the 2018 Merchandiser of the Year competition? If not, what are you waiting for? Flip through the November/December issue of the magazine now.
In this issue, you can read all about Distinctive Gardens and its “Create” shop story that won it the top honors.
Also in the issue, you won’t want to miss Christina Salwitz’s column, “Deciphering the Color Code for More Sales.” She always has great insight, but this may be one of my favorites. She’s talking color preferences based on demographics, gender, appearance, trends, the economy and more.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Cheers,
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