With the holiday season in full swing, the chaotic crowds rushing around town to pick up that perfect gift can often throw some shoppers into a panic. However, now more than ever, consumers are choosing to avoid the stores, opting to make purchases without leaving their homes. And with online retailers like Amazon, consumers can find the same gifts, often at better price points and with more availability.
Considering the convenience appeal of online shopping, only 28.5%of shoppers actually plan on hitting the stores this holiday season, while 46.2% admit that they will be shopping from the comfort of their own home. In fact, as one of the largest online retailers, Amazon continues to win the loyalty of consumers in a 3-to-1advantage over its major competitor, Google.
Amazon attributes much of its success to the convenient nature of the platform. For many shoppers, the ability to purchase groceries, home goods, furniture, and more, all from the same retailer is appealing. Not to mention, Amazon offers expedited shipping options at minimal costs and is known for its very generous return policy. With all of this in mind, it’s no wonder Amazon is one of the most popular platforms for e-commerce. In 2018, the brand continued to prepare itself for continued success with numerous consumer-friendly offerings.
Amazon Prime
As of early 2018, Amazon Prime had reached 100 million members – a membership size that is not at all surprising.
While the membership costs have slightly increased, the numerous benefits that members reap is what keeps them loyal to the program. Such benefits include free 2-day shipping on over 100 million items, Netflix-style video streaming, free games and books, and more.
One of the main premises behind Amazon is to make shopping easier for consumers, and with programs like Prime, Amazon is doing just that. The platform even created a holiday delivery calendar laying out all shipping options to ensure gifts are delivered in time for the holidays. For further customer support, Amazon offers 1-day and same-day shipping in over 8,000 cities and towns nationwide.
12 Days of Deals
Another way Amazon has been winning the holiday season is its 12 Days of Deals. For 12 days in the month of December, Amazon offers discounted prices on specific types of products. With categories that range from electronics, housewares, toys, and more this concept was made for consumers who love saving money, without the hassle of fighting crowds in stores.
As an extension of Amazon’s Deal of the Day promotions, this holiday-themed version makes browsing the endless potential gift options on Amazon a little easier. The multiple categories of deals help shoppers determine which days they want to tune in and which days they can tune out. Once again, Amazon brings shoppers the amenities they never knew they wanted, all while saving a little bit of money in the season of spending.
Amazon is #DeliveringSmiles This Holiday Season
As if Amazon Prime and the 12 Days of Deals weren’t enough, Amazon has launched a new program, #DeliveringSmiles, in hopes of reducing the stress that often overcomes many individuals during the holiday season. One of the most noteworthy initiatives of this program aims to take the guesswork out of gift giving. Amazon has created four gift guides, which include fashion, electronics, toys, and home sections. In creating category-based guides, this is one more way that Amazon is creating a seamless shopping experience.
Offering over 26,000 toys this holiday season, Amazon also offers “exclusive-to-Amazon” products on the 2018 Amazon Toy gift guide. Similarly, the 2018 Amazon Electronic Gift Guide features the most sought-after tech gear. For 2018, these category-comprised lists are a one-stop-shop for consumers.
The rise of Amazon within the last decade has truly revolutionized the way consumers choose to do their holiday shopping. From pre-Black Friday sales, to last-minute deals, to organized gift guides, and free 2-day shipping for Prime members, it is no surprise that Amazon is making the holiday shopping season a bit brighter.