Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) of consumers plan to purchase more from small local businesses this holiday season. Almost half of shoppers say they will be willing to shop in-store if retailers offer contactless pay options this winter. Over two-thirds (77%) of consumers want masks to be mandatory at local retailers during the holiday season.
These were the findings of a survey by Sykes, a leading provider of multichannel demand generation and customer engagement services. Sykes’ report was titled ‘The Impact of Covid-19 on Retail Markets & Consumer Perceptions Leading into the 2020 Holiday.’ Sykes surveyed 1,500 US consumers about their experiences in relation to the pandemic have altered their shopping plans this winter.
The results of the survey are important to small local businesses. They reveal what consumers will be expecting for the impending holiday season. With such knowledge at their disposal, small businesses can be sufficiently prepared for consumers’ expectations and demands.