5 Peak Season Trends that Every Ecommerce Brand Needs to Know 2024
As the end of the year marches closer, things are picking up for ecommerce brands, as Peak Season is now on our doorstep.
This period of increased spending is a key part of the year for ecommerce, not only as an opportunity to drive sales and boost revenue, but also as a strategic time to position your brand for long-term growth. By attracting new customers and scaling operations to meet demand, your brand can capitalise on the holiday surge and lay the foundation for continued success in the new year ahead.
Curious about what’s in store for Peak Season 2024? Take a look at some of the top trends shaping this year’s holiday spending:
1. Peak Season Spending is Up
In 2024, online retail spending is expected to soar, with forecasts showing consumers will spend $241 billion online during the 2024 holidays—an 8.4% increase from 2023.
Make the most of peak season spending by integrating Zenstores to streamline order processing and keep up with the peak season spending surge. By offering an exceptional delivery experience, your brand can delight customers during the holiday season and establish trust that keeps them returning long after the peak season ends.
2. More consumers are using their phones for online purchases
Mobile commerce is expected to contribute to nearly 28% of growth in holiday ecommerce sales this year, according to eMarketer’s forecast. As more consumers rely on their phones to browse, shop, and make purchases, ensuring a smooth mobile experience has become essential for ecommerce brands aiming to capture holiday traffic.
Optimise your ecommerce site for both mobile and desktop to capture both desktop and mobile purchasers. Make sure your checkout process is fast and mobile-friendly, reducing friction that could lead to cart abandonment.
3. Social Commerce is on the Rise
According to a 2024 Holiday Consumer Research Report by Salsify, social platforms are playing a bigger role in gift discovery, especially among younger shoppers—54% of Gen Z, 45% of Millennials, and 27% of Gen X use social media for gift ideas.
Zenstores' integration with TikTok Shop allows you to import your TikTok orders into Zenstores via either Shopify or WooCommerce. This means you can sell your products through TikTok, reaching a highly-engaged global audience.
4. Returns? An All-Time High
Returns are ever-increasing, with a 79% jump in retail returns from 2019 to 2023, according to Fedex. This surge suggests that ecommerce brands may need to approach returns as a key part of the customer experience.
Providing a transparent, straightforward returns process can not only boost customer satisfaction but also build long-term trust and loyalty, as a positive return experience shows customers that their post-purchase experience is a priority.
5. The hunt for bargain gifts does not end at peak season
Checkout.com’s Peak Season Trend Report 2024 revealed that while Peak Season is a prime time for many to buy gifts, 38% of parents are on the hunt for gift deals year-round, and 34% of people will buy a present for their partner whenever they come across an offer.
Use Peak Season to bring in new customers, but think about how you can maintain customers in the long-run. Customer loyalty can be influenced by many factors, such as a positive delivery experience. Implementing software like Zenstores can enhance the delivery experience, ensuring that your brand exceeds customer expectations throughout their shopping journey.
Grow this Peak Season and Beyond…
Peak Season is a great time for growth, and understanding the consumer trends in 2024 can help you to make the most of the spending surge.
However, extending your holiday success into the New Year is key to growing your brand. Ensure that you’re ready to scale by using Zenstores to power every step of your delivery experience.
Curious about how Zenstores can help you curate a delivery experience that represents your brand? Get started here.