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Months after initial shutdown measures, online retailers are still experiencing increases in customer orders. As the holiday sales season approaches, customers are predicted to continue utilizing eCommerce stores to make all their purchases. Online retail spending hit a record high of $241.4 billion during the 2024 holiday season, an increase of 8.7% from 2023. 66% of shoppers anticipate they will increase their online purchases during the 2020 holiday season. This season may look very different from previous years as consumers and retailers learn to navigate the new normal of holiday shopping.
Ecommerce Holiday: Transition from Traditional Holiday Shopping
In past years, the holiday shopping season began for online retailers in June and July as they planned for upcoming sales like Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Orders for holiday inventory were placed and retailers would traditionally have several months to get ready for the season’s largest sales. This year, however, retailers may be struggling with manufacturer complications with shipping. Many retailers are now focusing on gaining better financial information to manage fulfillment costs and supply chain challenges. The Cyber 5 period saw record-level discounts across most major retail categories, fueling increased consumer spending during the holidays. The first day of the holiday shopping season is now a key planning milestone for retailers.
The average consumer spends over $1,000 on holiday shopping alone, and much of that at one time was dedicated to in-store purchases. In past seasons, consumers lined up outside, planned post-Thanksgiving shopping trips, and pushed to be the first to make a purchase on Black Friday at brick and mortar stores. If they couldn’t find what they were looking for, they headed to an online shop. The expectation was for retailers to have all of their biggest items available for purchase. Toys, video games, and electronics were key drivers of holiday spending in 2024. Unfortunately, many retailers that have been struggling with storage limitations and delayed manufacturing deliveries will not be able to keep up this holiday season as consumer shopping habits increase.
Key Holidays and Events
Key holidays and events are at the heart of ecommerce success, providing businesses with prime opportunities to connect with customers, boost sales, and build brand loyalty. From the holiday season at the end of the year to unique international days celebrated around the world, these events shape the marketing calendar for many ecommerce brands.
Major holidays like Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and the summer bank holiday are well-known for driving a surge in online shopping, as families and friends look for the best deals on gifts and essentials. However, there are countless other events throughout the year that offer businesses a good opportunity to engage their customer base. For example, national ice cream day, international coffee day, and national wine day are perfect for food and beverage brands to offer discounts and special promotions to ice cream lovers, coffee enthusiasts, and wine lovers alike.
Events such as international women’s day, international yoga day, and international dance day allow businesses to raise awareness, support non profit organizations, and connect with communities passionate about mental well being, fitness, and the arts. Meanwhile, international dog day, national pet day, and international cat day are ideal for pet-related ecommerce brands to promote animal welfare, encourage cat adoption, and celebrate best friends—both human and furry.
The marketing calendar is also filled with events that appeal to niche audiences, such as the academy awards ceremony for film lovers, the eurovision song contest finale for music fans, and the super bowl for football fans. Even world emoji day and friends day offer creative ways for businesses to engage with customers on social media platforms and drive more sales through fun, themed campaigns.
For ecommerce brands operating in many Asian countries or other countries around the globe, it’s important to recognize local holidays like eid al fitr and the start of the academic year or school year, as these events can significantly impact shopping habits. By understanding when the world celebrates particular days—whether it’s mother’s day, father’s day, cinco de mayo, or galentine’s day—businesses can tailor their online store promotions and shipping methods to meet the needs of online shoppers everywhere.
Ultimately, planning ahead for these key holidays and events allows businesses to offer the best deals, reach new customers, and stand out in a crowded online shopping landscape. By leveraging the power of timely events and aligning marketing efforts with what matters most to their audience, ecommerce brands can ensure a successful year-round sales strategy.
2020 Online Shopping Expectations
As the holiday season approaches, consumers are expecting eCommerce sellers to complete all of their shopping needs. Online retailers should anticipate even more traffic than brick and mortar stores experienced in past years. Due to the need for social distancing, masks, one-way isles, and limited capacity, 60% of consumers plan to shop less in-store. Some bigger businesses are also choosing to keep their doors closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Mobile shopping peaked on Christmas Day, accounting for 65% of online sales on that day. It’s important for eCommerce sellers to prepare ahead of time to successfully manage their customers’ needs this season. Everything from warehousing to fulfillment, shipping, and even returns will be challenged in these upcoming months. Having access to accurate financial information is crucial for making data-driven decisions about fulfillment and shipping during the holiday season.
Consumers are also coming into the season with bigger budgets. In 2019, consumers spent nearly 10 billion dollars on online Thanksgiving day and Black Friday sales. This year, shoppers are expected to spend 135 billion dollars. Flexibility in payment options contributed to heightened consumer engagement and spending trends during the holiday season. Ensuring your orders are picked, packed, and shipped on time is the key to success this season. For retailers that are still using a hands-on fulfillment approach, it’s a good idea to instead consider working with a reliable shipping partner, as many retailers are shifting strategies to adapt to increased online demand.
In addition to having bigger shopping budgets, consumers are wanting to check items off their list sooner. 39% of shoppers begin shopping as early as October. However, they are more accepting of longer delivery times. 50% of consumers expect their packages to be delivered in less than five days. Curbside pickup peaked at 37.8% of orders on December 23, 2024, as shoppers utilized this method for last-minute purchases. Although this timeline may help retailers juggle incoming orders, this doesn’t leave much room for delivering packages on-time for orders placed in December. It’s important to utilize a shipping method that can handle last-minute orders and still ship gifts home in time for Christmas.
As an online seller, the pressure is high to achieve accurate and efficient peak season fulfillment and shipping for all of your holiday merchandise. (Download our 2020 Holiday eCommerce Fulfillment Guide for expert advice.) Whether you’re dealing with warehousing restrictions or already overwhelmed by your customer orders, your business can benefit from working with an eCommerce expert like ShipNetwork. Companies choose a 3PL when they become overwhelmed by order growth.
Comparing Online Shipping Expectations: 2020 vs. 2025
The landscape of online shipping expectations has evolved significantly from 2020 to 2025, driven by changes in consumer behavior, technology, and market dynamics.
In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically shifted shopping habits, with a sharp increase in online orders as consumers sought to avoid in-store shopping due to social distancing measures. During this period, consumers were generally more accepting of longer delivery times, understanding the strain on supply chains and fulfillment centers. Approximately 50% of consumers expected their packages to be delivered within five days, and curbside pickup became a popular last-minute shopping option, peaking at 37.8% of orders on December 23, 2024. Flexibility in payment options also played a significant role in encouraging consumer spending during the holiday season.
Fast forward to 2025, and expectations have heightened considerably. Online retail spending has hit record highs, reaching $241.4 billion in the 2024 holiday season, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Consumers now demand faster delivery options, with many expecting next-day or two-day shipping as standard. This shift has pushed ecommerce brands to partner with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to meet these demands efficiently. Additionally, mobile shopping has surged, accounting for 54.5% of online shopping revenue in 2024 and peaking at 65% on Christmas Day, emphasizing the importance of seamless mobile experiences.
Moreover, the rise of flexible payment methods like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has continued to influence purchasing behaviors, with BNPL transactions reaching new records during key shopping events. Retailers have also adapted by offering earlier and more aggressive discounts, particularly during the Cyber 5 period, to capture increasingly price-sensitive consumers.
In summary, while 2020 was marked by a tolerance for slower shipping and a focus on safety, 2025 reflects a highly competitive ecommerce environment where speed, convenience, and flexible payment options are paramount. Businesses that adapt to these evolving expectations by optimizing fulfillment strategies and leveraging technology are best positioned to succeed in the current online shopping landscape.
Conclusion
Contact us to see how you can sleigh the season by wrapping up your 2020 holiday shopping season with ShipNetwork.
ShipNetwork is the leader in eCommerce order fulfillment services and freight brokerage. ShipNetwork offers national fulfillment services and a network of 15 US fulfillment centers located in Anaheim (CA), Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Las Vegas (NV), Miami (FL), Olean (NY), Reno (NV), Salt Lake City (UT), and Scranton (PA). Their state-of-the-art technology allows for integration with popular shopping cart platforms and online marketplaces including Amazon, Big Commerce, Channel Advisor, eBay, Magento, ShipStation, Shopify, Volusion, Walmart Marketplace, and WooCommerce.
ShipNetwork offers modern fulfillment solutions for leading eCommerce retailers focused on reducing shipping costs, improving order accuracy, decreasing shipping times, and increasing customer satisfaction.
Months after initial shutdown measures, online retailers are still experiencing increases in customer orders. As the holiday sales season approaches, customers are predicted to continue utilizing eCommerce stores to make all their purchases. Online retail spending hit a record high of $241.4 billion during the 2024 holiday season, an increase of 8.7% from 2023. 66% of shoppers anticipate they will increase their online purchases during the 2020 holiday season. This season may look very different from previous years as consumers and retailers learn to navigate the new normal of holiday shopping.
Ecommerce Holiday: Transition from Traditional Holiday Shopping
In past years, the holiday shopping season began for online retailers in June and July as they planned for upcoming sales like Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Orders for holiday inventory were placed and retailers would traditionally have several months to get ready for the season’s largest sales. This year, however, retailers may be struggling with manufacturer complications with shipping. Many retailers are now focusing on gaining better financial information to manage fulfillment costs and supply chain challenges. The Cyber 5 period saw record-level discounts across most major retail categories, fueling increased consumer spending during the holidays. The first day of the holiday shopping season is now a key planning milestone for retailers.
The average consumer spends over $1,000 on holiday shopping alone, and much of that at one time was dedicated to in-store purchases. In past seasons, consumers lined up outside, planned post-Thanksgiving shopping trips, and pushed to be the first to make a purchase on Black Friday at brick and mortar stores. If they couldn’t find what they were looking for, they headed to an online shop. The expectation was for retailers to have all of their biggest items available for purchase. Toys, video games, and electronics were key drivers of holiday spending in 2024. Unfortunately, many retailers that have been struggling with storage limitations and delayed manufacturing deliveries will not be able to keep up this holiday season as consumer shopping habits increase.
Key Holidays and Events
Key holidays and events are at the heart of ecommerce success, providing businesses with prime opportunities to connect with customers, boost sales, and build brand loyalty. From the holiday season at the end of the year to unique international days celebrated around the world, these events shape the marketing calendar for many ecommerce brands.
Major holidays like Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and the summer bank holiday are well-known for driving a surge in online shopping, as families and friends look for the best deals on gifts and essentials. However, there are countless other events throughout the year that offer businesses a good opportunity to engage their customer base. For example, national ice cream day, international coffee day, and national wine day are perfect for food and beverage brands to offer discounts and special promotions to ice cream lovers, coffee enthusiasts, and wine lovers alike.
Events such as international women’s day, international yoga day, and international dance day allow businesses to raise awareness, support non profit organizations, and connect with communities passionate about mental well being, fitness, and the arts. Meanwhile, international dog day, national pet day, and international cat day are ideal for pet-related ecommerce brands to promote animal welfare, encourage cat adoption, and celebrate best friends—both human and furry.
The marketing calendar is also filled with events that appeal to niche audiences, such as the academy awards ceremony for film lovers, the eurovision song contest finale for music fans, and the super bowl for football fans. Even world emoji day and friends day offer creative ways for businesses to engage with customers on social media platforms and drive more sales through fun, themed campaigns.
For ecommerce brands operating in many Asian countries or other countries around the globe, it’s important to recognize local holidays like eid al fitr and the start of the academic year or school year, as these events can significantly impact shopping habits. By understanding when the world celebrates particular days—whether it’s mother’s day, father’s day, cinco de mayo, or galentine’s day—businesses can tailor their online store promotions and shipping methods to meet the needs of online shoppers everywhere.
Ultimately, planning ahead for these key holidays and events allows businesses to offer the best deals, reach new customers, and stand out in a crowded online shopping landscape. By leveraging the power of timely events and aligning marketing efforts with what matters most to their audience, ecommerce brands can ensure a successful year-round sales strategy.
2020 Online Shopping Expectations
As the holiday season approaches, consumers are expecting eCommerce sellers to complete all of their shopping needs. Online retailers should anticipate even more traffic than brick and mortar stores experienced in past years. Due to the need for social distancing, masks, one-way isles, and limited capacity, 60% of consumers plan to shop less in-store. Some bigger businesses are also choosing to keep their doors closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Mobile shopping peaked on Christmas Day, accounting for 65% of online sales on that day. It’s important for eCommerce sellers to prepare ahead of time to successfully manage their customers’ needs this season. Everything from warehousing to fulfillment, shipping, and even returns will be challenged in these upcoming months. Having access to accurate financial information is crucial for making data-driven decisions about fulfillment and shipping during the holiday season.
Consumers are also coming into the season with bigger budgets. In 2019, consumers spent nearly 10 billion dollars on online Thanksgiving day and Black Friday sales. This year, shoppers are expected to spend 135 billion dollars. Flexibility in payment options contributed to heightened consumer engagement and spending trends during the holiday season. Ensuring your orders are picked, packed, and shipped on time is the key to success this season. For retailers that are still using a hands-on fulfillment approach, it’s a good idea to instead consider working with a reliable shipping partner, as many retailers are shifting strategies to adapt to increased online demand.
In addition to having bigger shopping budgets, consumers are wanting to check items off their list sooner. 39% of shoppers begin shopping as early as October. However, they are more accepting of longer delivery times. 50% of consumers expect their packages to be delivered in less than five days. Curbside pickup peaked at 37.8% of orders on December 23, 2024, as shoppers utilized this method for last-minute purchases. Although this timeline may help retailers juggle incoming orders, this doesn’t leave much room for delivering packages on-time for orders placed in December. It’s important to utilize a shipping method that can handle last-minute orders and still ship gifts home in time for Christmas.
As an online seller, the pressure is high to achieve accurate and efficient peak season fulfillment and shipping for all of your holiday merchandise. (Download our 2020 Holiday eCommerce Fulfillment Guide for expert advice.) Whether you’re dealing with warehousing restrictions or already overwhelmed by your customer orders, your business can benefit from working with an eCommerce expert like ShipNetwork. Companies choose a 3PL when they become overwhelmed by order growth.
Comparing Online Shipping Expectations: 2020 vs. 2025
The landscape of online shipping expectations has evolved significantly from 2020 to 2025, driven by changes in consumer behavior, technology, and market dynamics.
In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically shifted shopping habits, with a sharp increase in online orders as consumers sought to avoid in-store shopping due to social distancing measures. During this period, consumers were generally more accepting of longer delivery times, understanding the strain on supply chains and fulfillment centers. Approximately 50% of consumers expected their packages to be delivered within five days, and curbside pickup became a popular last-minute shopping option, peaking at 37.8% of orders on December 23, 2024. Flexibility in payment options also played a significant role in encouraging consumer spending during the holiday season.
Fast forward to 2025, and expectations have heightened considerably. Online retail spending has hit record highs, reaching $241.4 billion in the 2024 holiday season, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Consumers now demand faster delivery options, with many expecting next-day or two-day shipping as standard. This shift has pushed ecommerce brands to partner with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to meet these demands efficiently. Additionally, mobile shopping has surged, accounting for 54.5% of online shopping revenue in 2024 and peaking at 65% on Christmas Day, emphasizing the importance of seamless mobile experiences.
Moreover, the rise of flexible payment methods like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has continued to influence purchasing behaviors, with BNPL transactions reaching new records during key shopping events. Retailers have also adapted by offering earlier and more aggressive discounts, particularly during the Cyber 5 period, to capture increasingly price-sensitive consumers.
In summary, while 2020 was marked by a tolerance for slower shipping and a focus on safety, 2025 reflects a highly competitive ecommerce environment where speed, convenience, and flexible payment options are paramount. Businesses that adapt to these evolving expectations by optimizing fulfillment strategies and leveraging technology are best positioned to succeed in the current online shopping landscape.
Conclusion
Contact us to see how you can sleigh the season by wrapping up your 2020 holiday shopping season with ShipNetwork.
ShipNetwork is the leader in eCommerce order fulfillment services and freight brokerage. ShipNetwork offers national fulfillment services and a network of 15 US fulfillment centers located in Anaheim (CA), Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Las Vegas (NV), Miami (FL), Olean (NY), Reno (NV), Salt Lake City (UT), and Scranton (PA). Their state-of-the-art technology allows for integration with popular shopping cart platforms and online marketplaces including Amazon, Big Commerce, Channel Advisor, eBay, Magento, ShipStation, Shopify, Volusion, Walmart Marketplace, and WooCommerce.
ShipNetwork offers modern fulfillment solutions for leading eCommerce retailers focused on reducing shipping costs, improving order accuracy, decreasing shipping times, and increasing customer satisfaction.
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