Survey Finds Consumers Have Begun Holiday Shopping

BizReport - August 16, 2007 –

I don’t mean to nag, and I know it’s only August, but are you prepared for Christmas? A new survey has found that some shoppers have already started buying gifts both online and in-store.

A third of American adult shoppers surveyed by ShopLocal.com have started their holiday shopping, so it’s time to get your websites in shape. A very organized 0.1 percent said they had already completed their holiday shopping.

The more popular items being purchased in advance of the holiday season include the new Iphone, flat screen televisions, gaming systems, jewelry, digital photo frames, and laptop computers.

While nearly half (49 percent) of those who had already made purchases had done so in bricks and mortar stores, 13 percent had made their purchases online. Thirty-eight percent had used both channels to purchase holiday gifts, found ShopLocal.com.

Search Engine Land has a great list of things you can do to ensure your website and marketing is up to scratch so that Christmas doesn’t take you by surprise. Tips include optimizing for holiday-related keywords and offering gift cards and certificates.