NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The holiday
shopping season is already heating up and the Holiday Retail Index
by Verizon Enterprise Solutions is returning to offer consumer
shopping insights to retailers, distributors, hospitality
organizations and other industries that play a pivotal role in the
activities and traditions that mark this time of year.
Now in its fourth year, the Holiday Retail Index tracks digital
commerce traffic across the company's broadband networks to the top
25 U.S.-based online retailers1. The Holiday Retail
Index monitors network traffic throughout the holiday shopping
season, including during signature events such as Black Friday and
Super Saturday. Throughout the season, Michele Dupré, leader
for retail, hospitality and distribution with Verizon Enterprise
Solutions, will offer insights based on the Index findings.
"Early indicators, including high consumer confidence and our
own findings from the first half of November, suggest that this
will be a record-setting year for digital commerce," said Dupré.
"And though signature dates such as Black Friday still give
retailers a boost, today's successful holiday season playbooks
hinge more on running thoughtful, agile digital campaigns that can
go the distance – from early November thru the New Year –
while keeping consumers engaged and delighted."
Holiday Retail Index Report Schedule
The first edition
of the 2017 Holiday Retail Index by Verizon will capture digital
shopping activity from this weekend and will be released on
Monday, November 20 by noon Eastern.
Going forward, findings from the Index will be released throughout
the season with an emphasis on key dates, such as final shipping
deadlines, which historically have motivated consumers to shop. The
list of report publication dates includes:
- Monday, November 20 – Initial
report capturing data from the weekend before Thanksgiving;
- Saturday, November 25 –
Thanksgiving and Black Friday
report;
- Monday, November 27 –
Thanksgiving weekend report;
- Monday, December 4 – First
weekend of December;
- Monday, December 11 – Second week
of December;
- Monday, December 18 – Third week
of December report;
- Tuesday, December 26 – Christmas
weekend report, including Super Saturday;
- Tuesday, January 2 – Post
New Year's weekend report; and,
- Thursday, January 4, 2017 –
Wrap-up report.
Dupré also emphasizes that despite the hype around digital
commerce, retailers with physical locations, along with mall
operators, have distinct advantages that they can be leveraging.
"Many consumers still want to go out into their communities for
experiences beyond the limitations of the virtual world," she
noted. "A physical location is an asset, not a liability, and
retailers who maximize this advantage can still win. In addition,
the human factor should not be underestimated. Well-trained
associates can serve as powerful brand ambassadors which can help
generate sales and loyal customers."
To receive the Holiday Retail Index when it is released each
day, contact Maria Montenegro at
maria.montenegro@verizon.com. And for a look back at the key
"takeaways" from the 2016 Holiday Retail Index, check out 2017 is
the year for retailers to evolve or risk fading out.
About Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications
Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, has a diverse workforce of
160,100 and generated nearly $126
billion in 2016 revenues. Verizon operates America's most
reliable wireless network and the nation's premier all-fiber
network, and delivers integrated solutions to businesses worldwide.
Its Oath subsidiary reaches about one billion people around the
world with a dynamic house of media and technology brands.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: News releases, feature stories,
executive biographies and media contacts are available at Verizon's
online News Center at www.verizon.com/news/. News releases are also
available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit
www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
1 According to eMarketer's 2017 ranking based on
annual revenue.
Media contact:
Maria
Montenegro
571.926.4170
maria.montenegro@verizon.com
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SOURCE Verizon