In a holiday season where the calendar days of the week have been renamed, from Sunday, Monday or Thursday to Thatday, Someday, or Nextday, and dayparts split into different phases: Coffee, Midfood, Latefood and Sleep, the traditional retail shopping event days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday have morphed into a holiday mashup of the Web’s space-time continuum.
This year’s 2020 Deloitte holiday retail survey titled “Reimagining Tradition” reports that more than 50% of surveyed Seattle holiday shoppers do not plan to shop during an event day this holiday season. 60% plan to shop before celebrating Thanksgiving day.
For retailers, the 2020 holidays will be a season of uncertainty, but as we have seen in previous times, disruption often leads to innovation and opportunity. Shoppers (across all generations) are seeking contactless options. Price, product, and convenience remain top of mind for consumers.
COVID-19 plays on shoppers’ psyches as they weigh its impact on their health and finances. As a consequence, Ecommerce is expected to BOOM this season with an anticipated 66% of Seattle’s holiday budgets going to online outlets.
65% of Seattle residents say online retailers are their top holiday shopping destination. Seattle shoppers are also more socially-savvy: 65% plan on using social media to browse products and 29% will use social media to make a purchase.
Surveyed Seattle shoppers expect to spend $1,591 per household during the holiday season this year. Two in five shoppers expect to spend less YoY largely because of concerns around the economy. During the past six months 41% of Seattle shoppers expressed increased preference for a specific retailer due to its conduct (e.g., COVID-19 safety precautions, treatment of employees).
At the same time, budgets are being reserved for entertaining at home. Non-gift items are high in anticipated spending at $486. Even amidst the coronavirus crisis, consumers expect to spend $623 on experiences during the holidays.
The same hold’s true for the light at the end of the tunnel for our neighbors. Seattlelites plan to return to pre-COVID shopping based on implementation of safety precautions and availability of vaccines and proven treatments for COVID-19. 46% indicate COVID-19 safety precautions (e.g. contactless delivery, social distancing) is a key attribute for their retailer selection in Seattle
The takeaway for local businesses? Keep marketing this holiday season, with digital marketing being crucial to the mix. Keep consumers feeling safe while shopping, and keep the fact that you’re local front and center in your marketing messages. Spread cheer this holiday season, not COVID-19!
Greater Seattle On the Cheap has homed in on its “Top Picks for Seattle Shopping on Cyber Monday.”
Archie McPhee. A one-stop-shop for party supplies, crafts, costumes, miniatures, and weird toys and candy. Standard shipping on $50 or more is FREE, or head to Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood and buy it at the store.
Amazon. The online retail powerhouse has Cyber Monday deals all week with low prices and sales on electronics, video games, DVDs, and more.
Eddie Bauer. Seattle’s homegrown sportswear store offers great rates on shipping anywhere in the US and can send orders to over 100 countries and territories worldwide. Free shipping on exchanges.
Elliott Bay Book Company in the heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, offers over 150,000 titles and a large collection of bargain editions–and they’ll gift wrap for free. Or, purchase a unique, handwritten Elliott Bay Gift Certificate in any amount and let your gift recipient decide which book to read.
Filson stands for high quality and durable outdoor and travel apparel and accessories. Headquartered in Seattle and renowned for making products in the USA from fabrics such as heavyweight Tin Cloth and warm Mackinaw Wool. Shop online or head to the #FilsonFlagship store just south of Safeco field on 4th Avenue South. Free Ground Shipping On Every Order.
Microsoft Store. Check their sale page for deals on computers, software, games, and accessories. Standard shipping (3-7 business days) and returns are FREE; 2-3 day shipping is just $9.99.Nordstrom. Free standard shipping and free returns. Nordstrom will ship almost anything to anywhere in the United States—even Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico—for free. No minimums. No kidding. And if the recipient doesn’t love it, the return is free, too.
REI Gift Ideas. Seattle’s outdoor gear store has special sale items just for Cyber Monday and free standard shipping on orders over $50. There are some exceptions, but this is usually stated in the catalog.
Zulily. Daily deals on children’s, women’s, and family apparel, toys, infant gear and home décor in limited quantities that sell out fast. All sales are final, but it’s quality stuff at screamin’ deals.
Free Activities to Walk About
To steer clear of Covid congestion at crowded indoor locations, the following outdoor activities are free for your holiday enjoyment.
Seattle. Walking labyrinth at Denny Park. Located next to the children’s play area. Use a labyrinth walk for contemplation, stress reduction, spiritual development, or simply to enjoy the day. Open daily.
Seattle. Walking labyrinth at Seattle Center. Located behind the Space Needle on the blacktop in front of the MoPOP. Use a labyrinth walk for contemplation, stress reduction, spiritual development, or simply to enjoy the day. Open daily.
Seattle. West Point Lighthouse within 534-acre Discovery Park. This functioning, fully automated lighthouse at the base of Magnolia Bluff marks a hazardous shoal at the northern entrance to Elliott Bay. Stop at the Discovery Park Visitor Center for information about trails to the beach and lighthouse. Note: it’s a 2-mile walk to the lighthouse down (and back up). Visitor Center open Tue-Sun. Park open daily.
Snoqualmie. Snoqualmie Falls (30 miles E of Seattle) at 268-feet is one of Washington state’s most popular scenic attractions, especially fall through spring after abundant rain and/or snow melt. There’s a two-acre park and short trail to the lower observation deck. Open daily. Check their website for weather conditions.
Stanwood. Walking labyrinth at Stanwood City Hall Park. Use a labyrinth walk for contemplation, stress reduction, spiritual development, or simply to enjoy the day. Open daily.
Tacoma. Browns Point Lighthouse. Historic lighthouse with a visitor center, boathouse, original bell, and lightkeeper’s cottage, located in a beautiful, dog-friendly waterfront public park. Open Saturdays, May-September.
Tacoma. Chihuly Glass Walking Tour in Tacoma. This free audio tour and map from Tacoma Art Museum allows users to learn more about Dale Chihuly’s artwork throughout the Museum District. Open daily.
Tacoma. Tacoma Link Light Rail. Getting around Tacoma is easy on the Tacoma Link Light Rail with free service from one end of downtown to the other. Catch a ride every 12 minutes during the day at six stops. Open 365 days a year.
Tacoma. Tacoma’s Ruston Way Waterfront offers a stunning two-mile path along the saltwater banks of Puget Sound. It’s a great place in any weather for walking, jogging, rollerblading, and fishing. Open daily.
Tukwila. Walking labyrinth at Crestview Park and Duwamish Park. Use a labyrinth walk for contemplation, stress reduction, spiritual development, or simply to enjoy the day. Open daily.
University Place. Walking labyrinth at Chambers Creek Regional Park. Located on the grounds around the Environmental Services Building. Use a labyrinth walk for contemplation, stress reduction, spiritual development, or simply to enjoy the day. Open daily.
Check the Seattle24x7 Calendar listings for BOTH the high tech and holiday events of the season.
Online and Offline: Retail & Etail Deals
Many retailers that usually open on Thanksgiving, such as Walmart and Kohl’s, will be closed until 5 a.m. on Black Friday. In the meantime, they’ll offer online-only deals.
Kohl’s is advertising a Toastmaster 5-cup coffeemaker, mini or immersion blender and mini chopper for just $2.14 after a coupon and mail-in rebate during Black Friday, according to Slickdeals.
At Macy’s, a popular Black & Decker Glass Bowl Chopper has a Black Friday sale price of just $3.99 starting Nov. 24. It typically retails for $44.99.
Walmart is selling a VIZIO 70″ LED Smart TV for $478 during their holiday sales event. Normally the model and similar models retail for $650
Speaking of virtual doorbusters, Amazon is reducing the price of this Ring Video Doorbell by 30%.
Got a special sale or product offer for our readers? Let us know at [email protected] [24×7]
