MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EGC Group, a full service integrated marketing and digital agency, released the results of its 2013 Holiday Marketing Insights, shedding light on the most effective ways to reach busy consumers. According to the report, consumers will be more connected and more hurried to make buying decisions, as the holiday season is shortened compared with previous years, while retail experts expect to see an increase in spending by 3.9 percent over 2012.
Now retailers must implement strategies to reach consumers who are more informed and selective than previous holiday seasons, thanks to mobile devices, social networks, customer review sites and price comparison apps. These tools are especially relevant in 2013 given that this holiday season will see only 25 days between Black Friday and Christmas – and fewer weekends to shop. And with Hanukkah starting the evening before Thanksgiving, consumers are feeling a heightened sense of urgency when it comes to holiday shopping.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday – which appeals to consumers to buy local – will factor into holiday spending, new shopping habits, including purchases made on smartphones, and ads seen across multiple media platforms are also key. What's more, with mobile devices increasingly prevalent, consumers are now blurring the lines between online and in-store shopping, spotting items while at brick-and-mortar locations, later completing the purchase on their smartphones, after reading online reviews.
"This year especially, the brands and retailers that know how to reach consumers, understand their shopping patterns and make their buying experience seamless, will emerge as winners," said EGC's Managing Partner Nicole Larrauri. "We are seeing great successes with companies that implement the right strategies on Twitter and Facebook as well as through email marketing, optimized websites and more."
To access the full report, visit http://egcgroup-1.sites.hubspot.com/2013-holiday-marketing-insights.
ABOUT EGC GROUP:
EGC Group is a full-service integrated marketing and digital agency based in New York. It was formed in 1985 and is ranked one of the Top Advertising Agencies in the U.S. by Advertising Age. Recently awarded as an Inc. 500/5000 honoree, EGC Group was also named to "The Agency 100," The Agency Post's annual list that ranks the top 100 fastest growing agencies in the United States. The company's clients include industry leaders in consumer products, finance, retail, education, hospitality and healthcare. www.egcgroup.com