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‘Waiting until the weekend to do your holiday shopping? You’re not alone: This coming Saturday, coined “Super Saturday”, may be the biggest spending day of the year.’ BARE shares an article by Anne Riley Moffat and Matthew Boyle for Bloomberg on how This Saturday Is When the Money’s Spent.

‘Although Black Friday used to be America’s biggest single shopping day, the final Saturday before Christmas took the title four or five years ago as more retailers began their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving Day — or weeks before, said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners.

U.S. shoppers will spend an estimated $26 billion on Dec. 22, beating the $24 billion they shelled out on the day after Thanksgiving, the industry researcher said.

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‘Shoppers will go into the holiday season with high expectations this year. They’ll want great deals, custom offers, on-time delivery, and a little something for themselves—no matter what channel they’re using to work through their gift list.’ BARE shares an article by Danielle Savin for Digital Commerce 360 on 6 Steps to Elevate the Customer Experience this Holiday Season.

‘To meet shoppers’ rising expectations of easy and engaging shopping experiences, now’s the time to review and prepare your holiday messaging, personalization, mobile optimization, shipping strategy, and self-gifting offers. Follow these simple steps to deliver an engaging and rewarding customer experience during the holidays and beyond.

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‘Consumer spending is up, but so are expectations for great experiences and deals.’ BARE shares an article by Judith Aquino for 1to1 Media on How Is the 2018 Holiday Customer Experience Shaping Up?

‘Consumer confidence is at an 18-year high and holiday shoppers are ready to spend. Total retail sales in the U.S are expected to exceed $1 trillion during the holiday season, representing the “strongest growth since 2011,” according to eMarketer. But, if there’s anything to be learned from the so-called retail apocalypse, it’s that retailers can’t rely on the same strategies they used seven years ago.

Customer experience matters. And consumers are ready to move on if a brand’s products and services fail to meet their expectations. So, what can we expect from retailers this holiday season?

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‘This holiday season, have you walked away from a customer experience and said, “Wow, that was amazing”?’ BARE shares an article by Christine M. Riordan, the dean and a professor of management at the Daniels College of Business, University of Denver, for Forbes on Give the Holiday Gift of a Remarkable Customer Experience.

‘The holiday rush can be hectic and frustrating. Even during the busiest times of the year for retailers, however, exceptional customer service is the best way to win and retain the hearts of customers. Many organizations tout exceptional customer service as part of their competitive advantage, but few actually succeed in making it so.

What makes the difference?

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‘America’s big ‘holiday’ is right around the corner: Black Friday! For many Americans, Black Friday represents savings galore, for others, it’s a day to frantically avoid. Whether you are a fan of Black Friday or not, these facts may surprise you!’ BARE shares some interesting Black Friday Facts compiled by Farm Bureau Financial Services*. Read more

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