Predict Holiday Shopping Behavior With Your Recommendation Software
Friday, 09 December 2011
Shopping behavior, especially around the holidays, is often hard to predict. It’s one of the reasons so many e-tailers turn to recommendation software and other tools to help increase sales numbers. Even if you have the best recommendation system on the market, though, you may still need to take a closer look at what shoppers are currently doing to help boost your profits. Fortunately, your software solution may be able to offer you analytics in real-time that can help with that. Taking a closer look at industry statistics can help too.
The annual Shop.org survey suggests that consumers will primarily be stuck in the same budget frame they were last year. Still, one in five consumers reported that they might actually be spending more. NO matter what they plan to spend, though, there are three main things they’re looking for: the ability to check their shopping card totals before they check-out, in-stock products, and good deals. Your recommendation software can be of assistance in each of those categories. As you’re showing off those shopping cart totals, why not make sure you have add-ons available right there? Moreover, make certain your recommendation system is pushing in-stock products and selecting good replacements for those that aren’t in-stock. Finally, let those good deals shine by shifting your merchandising rules and drivers inside your recommendation software.
One other real gem from the study was that customers want coupons! The world has gone coupon crazy in recent months, and tapping into that with your recommendation software by reaching customers through email and text message is a great way to cash in this year.
Finally, three-quarters of other retailers, according to the survey, have invested in cross-selling techniques with products like recommendation software, so it’s essential that you don’t miss the boat here. If you haven’t already found the right recommendation software for your company, it’s time to do so now.
