Jordyn Prince picture
Jordyn Prince @ Bridge Sept. 11, 2020 • 10:15 AM • 1,294 days ago
"Will you be home for Christmas this year?"
Jordyn Prince picture
Jordyn Prince @ Bridge Sept. 11, 2020 • 10:15 AM • 1,294 days ago

"Will you be home for Christmas this year?"

That is the question my family posed to me last night during our more-frequent FaceTime conversations. 

With the passing Labor Day weekend, students entering their in-person or online school year, and the ending of a strange summer season during a global pandemic, people are looking forward to a time that can bring spirit and happiness to the darkness: the holidays. 

But how holly and jolly will this holiday season be in terms of shopping? After all, the holidays are notorious for bringing doorbuster sales, increased travel, and large crowds of procrastinating shoppers -- all of which we have not seen in the past six months due to the current state of the world. A recent New York Times article brings to light that retailers are preparing now, in the middle of September, for a holiday season not like any other. 

Retailers who offer an e-commerce website and easy delivery options (including curbside pick-up) will be the star of the Christmas tree this year. Large big-box stores, such as Macy's and Target, are already planning to close on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday and avoiding limited-time discounts, which tend to draw crowd madness. Although we are already aware of the importance of online shopping during this time, it looks as if independent retailers -- now more than ever -- have an opportunity to take a big slice of the Holiday Sales Pumpkin Pie.

Still, no one can confidently confirm what this upcoming holiday season will bring. With a high national unemployment rate and millions of people depending on government aid, there is still a strong sense of anything-can-happen. A quote from Peter Nordstrom, the president and chief brand officer for Nordstroms, said it best in the article: "... no one’s got a crystal ball on that."

Despite the unknown this year has brought already, there is one thing for certain: your e-community in Bridge is here to help you prepare, and not just for this holiday season. It is through the collaboration amongst the e-community that allows all of us to come out on top. The ability to offer greater selection in a user-friendly site guarantees you to have more time with family and loved ones. And isn't that what the holiday spirit is all about?

I may not know what my holiday plans will be, but at least I know great stores and brands to shop from this season within this supportive community. 

Read the article here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/business/retailers-holiday-shopping.html?searchResultPosition=6
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Comments:
Jason Solarek picture
September 12, 2020 • 01:44 PM
Jason at Bridge:
Are you saying that businesses using Bridge’s Smart Products service will be able to spend more time with family this holiday season? ...and conversely, that businesses that don’t use the service don’t value their families as much? :)

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