E-commerce is driving retailers to plan early for busy holiday season
TORONTO, ON, Sept. 13, 2017 – While Canadians still have over 100 shopping days left before the holidays get into full swing, retailers across the country got a head start on what they expect to be a busier holiday season compared to 2016.
According to a new Canadian retail survey conducted by Purolator and Leger, Canadians will be generous gift-givers this year as the majority of retailers (80 per cent) anticipate an increase in sales as they enter the busy shopping season.
“Canadian retailers are heading into this year’s holidays with optimism and confidence,” said Ramsey Mansour, Purolator’s Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Marketing. “Even with a more dynamic and competitive market, retailers expect an increase in sales, largely due to e-commerce and the anticipated strength of in-store sales.”
September is the busiest month for holiday planning
As many people headed to the beach this summer, retailers were working hard to prepare for the festive season. In fact, 43 per cent of retailers started their holiday planning in July, August and September. September marks the busiest month for holiday preparations with 21 per cent of respondents expecting to start this month.
Retailers say they are planning early to keep up with rising demand from customers (93 per cent) and to ensure shipments arrive on time (91 per cent). Almost nine in 10 retailers (89 per cent) say e-commerce has created new customer buying patterns, resulting in early holiday planning.
“Online shopping has changed the way retailers prepare for the holidays,” said Ramsey Mansour. “Businesses are adjusting and adapting their inventory and distribution plans to keep up with consumer demand. With this in mind, Purolator began planning with retailers earlier than ever.”
E-commerce leading to increased holiday sales; in-store sales still critical for growth
Retailers expect the rise in online shopping will lead to increased sales this year (75 per cent). Along with e-commerce, in-store sales will continue to play a key role this season. Among retailers expecting an increase, four out of 10 (38 per cent) believe e-commerce and in-store purchases will equally drive sales.
Overall the survey is indicative of how retailers and their transportation partners are working together to plan for the growth in volume anticipated this holiday season, ensuring an optimal customer experience.
About Purolator
Purolator Inc. is a leading integrated freight, package and logistics solutions provider in Canada. Celebrating over 50 years of delivering its customers’ promises, Purolator continues to expand its reach and renowned service levels and reliability to more people, more businesses and more places across the country and around the world. Purolator is proud of its Canadian heritage and is focused on sustainably positioning itself for future growth and success. Purolator is also committed to contributing to the well-being of the communities it serves and where more than 10,000 of its employees live, work and play. For more information, visit purolator.com.
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About Leger
Leger is the largest Canadian-owned full-service market research firm. A survey of 300 Canadian retail business owners and employees was completed between Aug. 4 to 11, 2017 using Leger’s online panel, LegerWeb. Leger’s online panel has approximately 475,000 members nationally – with between 10,000 and 20,000 new members added each month, and has a retention rate of 90 per cent. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-5.7 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
Media Contact
Courtney Reistetter
Manager, Corporate Communications
Purolator
905 712-1084 ext. 23851
[email protected]
