RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2015
4
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com
Happy Holidays,
Elle's View As I See It
D
uring the holidays I am usually inspired to write about the warm and fuzzy side
of the season. But this year, I would like to address an issue that seems to only
be getting worse, and that's Holiday Stress. According to recent studies, 72% of
people report a heightened level of stress during the holidays; especially women
and lower middle income individuals.
Whether you are religious or not, during this time of year we are all inundated
with messages of good cheer, gratitude, happiness and love. All words that seem
on the opposite side of stress. So what gives? Well, we are also much busier with
family gatherings, holiday events, traveling and shopping.
Here are the top things that Consumer Reports found Americans dread about
holiday shopping. I also provide some ways you can alleviate these stressors.
• 68%: Crowds and long lines; properly staff your store so customers don't have
to wait
• 37%: Getting into debt; offer 2 for 1 bundle packages and bonus gifts so they
can check more people off their list for less
• 28%: Gift shopping; put together a shopping list of gift ideas for your customers
• 25%: Traveling; offer online shopping and delivery services
• 23%: Seasonal music; mix up your playlist with music that doesn't include
Rudolph
• 19%: Disappointing gifts; offer an easy seasonal or gift return policy
• 15%: Having to be nice; provide stellar customer service to everyone, even
Grinches
With a little awareness and planning, independents retailers across the country
can help make sure more of us enjoy a warm and fuzzy holiday season this year
with less stress.
HOLIDAY STRESS:
REMEDIES
NOVEMBER 2015, VOLUME 26, ISSUE 11
CELEBRATING OUR 26
TH
YEAR
AS THE RETAIL OBSERVER
PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR
E LIANA BARRIGA
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
MOE LASTFOGEL
ART DIRECTOR
TERRY PRICE
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
MIKE ALLEN
RANDY CARNEY
THILO HENKES
JOE HIGGINS
MISSY HODGES
PAUL MAC DONALD
JOHN TSCHOHL
E LLY VALAS
LIBBY WAGNER
DOUG WREDE
DEADLINE FOR JANUARY 2015 ISSUE:
DECEMBER 1, 2015
THE RETAIL OBSERVER
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