Summer may have flown by, but nonetheless, it’s time for retailers to prepare and rollout their peak selling season plans.

To help readers develop their strategies, RIS once again tapped retail experts to get their predictions and forecasts. We also scoured recent retail surveys and research to provide the top data needed to prepare.

Among our findings, we’re mainly hearing COVID concerns have waned this holiday season, replaced by inflation and inventory woes. But despite this holiday season’s challenges, most predictions expect an increase in holiday shopping. Tapping social media channels, nostalgia, and plugging gift cards are a few of the tactics expected to move the needle on shoppers’ purchases.

Consumers are also expected to start shopping early this year, so there’s no time like the present to start reaching out to shoppers. Whether they are shopping in-store or online, consumers are looking for deals and inspiration, whether that be experiences or expert content to get them in the holiday spirit.

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