At Kinetic319, we believe strongly in listening to what customers have to say. We recently conducted a survey of 322 different consumers to get an idea of their plans for the 2025 holiday shopping season. This blog post was created based on the findings of that survey.
The holiday season might feel like it’s a distant event, shimmering on the horizon like a distant winter mirage.
But for the vast majority of brands, the most wonderful time of the year starts long before the first snowflake falls. To help you prepare, we went straight to the source and conducted our Q4 2025 holiday shopping survey earlier this year to find out what’s really on shoppers’ minds.
Trust us when we tell you: this isn’t another list of vague predictions. This is your focused guide, packed with fresh data, on what your customers are looking for and exactly how you can deliver. Let’s unwrap these insights together.
1. Shoppers Are Starting Early. Are You Ready?
If you think holiday shopping kicks off with Black Friday doorbusters, you’re already behind. Our survey revealed that the early bird gets the worm, and shoppers are flocking to stores and sites sooner than ever.
A massive 45% of shoppers begin their holiday hunt before November even starts. Another 30% jump in during November, leaving only a fraction of consumers who wait for the traditional Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush.
What are these early shoppers looking for? They’re seeking inspiration, scoping out deals, and aiming for a convenient, stress-free experience before the chaos sets in. They want to check items off their lists without the pressure of last-minute deadlines.
Here’s how to prepare:
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Launch Early: Don't wait until the turkey is carved. Get your holiday campaigns and promotions live by October. This aligns perfectly with when your customers are starting to think about gifts.
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Create Early-Bird Specials: Reward the planners. Offer exclusive "early access" sales or pre-holiday discounts to build momentum. A simple "15% off for our early shoppers" campaign can capture sales you would otherwise miss.
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Send Reminders: Use your email list and social media channels to gently nudge your audience. A subject line like, "Beat the Rush: Your Holiday Gift Guide is Here," can be incredibly effective in September or October.
2. Convenience Is King: Where Shoppers Are Buying
Today’s shoppers want it all: the endless aisle of online retail and the personal touch of a local shop. It’s a hybrid world, and your brand needs to be accessible everywhere your customers are. Our survey shows that while Amazon remains a dominant force, with 73.6% of shoppers planning to buy there, it’s not the only player in the game.
Shoppers are also heading to large retailers (62%) and, importantly, supporting their communities by shopping at local and independent stores (50.62%). They value the unique items found in small shops just as much as the one-click convenience of a massive marketplace.
To get ready, start by optimizing your channels. If you sell on Amazon, make sure your listings are polished, with compelling images and keyword-rich descriptions. For your own website, ensure it's mobile-friendly and lightning-fast. Over a quarter of shoppers (27.64%) use mobile apps, so a smooth on-the-go experience is non-negotiable.
Also, lean into your strengths. If you’re a local shop, highlight what makes you special. Promote your unique inventory, personalized service, and community roots. Shoppers who choose local are looking for something they can’t find anywhere else.
Last but not least, make sure you’re offering flexible options. Bridge the gap between online and in-store with options like BOPIS (buy online, pick up in-store). This gives customers the ease of online browsing with the instant gratification of picking up their purchase the same day.
3. Shoppers Want Confidence in Their Purchases
Holiday shopping is both an emotional and financial investment. Nobody wants to give a gift that falls flat. That’s why shoppers are doing their homework, and they trust proof over promises.
Our survey found that a staggering 59% of consumers rely on search engine results to find products, and 53% are heavily influenced by online reviews. Gift guides are another major source of confidence, with 41% of shoppers turning to them for curated ideas.
Shoppers are actively looking for signals that they’re making the right choice. They want to see five-star ratings, read detailed testimonials, and find your products easily when they search for "best gifts for dads."
To prepare, follow these tips:
Amplify Customer Voices
Actively encourage and manage customer reviews on your website, Google, and other key platforms. A simple post-purchase email asking, "How did we do?" can generate a steady stream of valuable feedback.
Master Your SEO
Invest in search engine optimization to ensure your products appear at the top of relevant search results. When someone searches for a product you sell, you want to be one of the first options they see.
Become a Gifting Guru
Create and promote your own gift guides. Think outside the box with themes like "Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything," "Eco-Friendly Finds," or "Top Tech Under $100." Share these on your blog, social media, and in email newsletters.
4. Value Matters: Shoppers Are Budget-Conscious
While the holiday spirit is generous, budgets are practical. Most shoppers are planning to spend between $101 and $1,000 this season. The most common budget is $251-$500, with 21.74% of consumers falling into this range. This tells us that shoppers aren't necessarily looking for the cheapest items, but they are absolutely looking for the best value.
They want to feel like their hard-earned money is being well-spent on quality products that will be loved. Your pricing and promotions should reflect this desire for smart, savvy spending.
Some tips to help you get ready:
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Offer a Price-Point Buffet: Make sure you have a variety of appealing options for a variety of budgets. Feature a "Gifts Under $50" section on your site or highlight stocking stuffers that deliver big smiles without a big price tag.
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Bundle Up for Value: Create attractive product bundles or gift sets. A "Spa Night In" kit with a candle, bath bomb, and lotion often feels like a better deal than buying each item separately. It also solves the problem of "what goes with this?"
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Highlight the Deal: Make your offers impossible to miss. Use clear banners for discounts, promote loyalty rewards, and create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers. Phrases like "Holiday Exclusive" or "Ends Sunday" can spur action.
5. Frustration-Free Shopping: What Shoppers Avoid
What’s the fastest way to lose a holiday sale? Frustration. We asked shoppers about their biggest holiday headaches, and the answers were clear. High prices top the list (57%), but operational issues are right behind. Out-of-stock items (42%) and shipping delays (37%) are major deterrents that can send a customer straight to your competitor.
Other common frustrations include difficult return policies (21%) and confusing or cluttered websites (18%). In short, shoppers want a smooth, predictable, and stress-free journey from browse to buy.
Here’s how to prepare:
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Get Your Inventory in Order: Use past sales data to forecast demand for popular items and stock up accordingly. If an item sells out, offer a "notify me when back in stock" option to capture future sales.
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Be Transparent About Shipping: Clearly communicate shipping timelines on your product and checkout pages. Offer expedited options for last-minute shoppers and provide tracking information proactively.
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Simplify Your Policies: Make your return policy easy to find and even easier to understand. A generous and straightforward policy can build trust and reduce purchase anxiety.
6. Personalization and Promotions Drive Decisions
In a sea of holiday marketing, generic messages get lost. Shoppers are tuning in to the brands that speak directly to them. Our survey shows that brand emails (36%) and social media ads (35%) are powerful channels for influencing purchase decisions, but only when they’re relevant.
Personalization is the key to cutting through the noise. A shopper who previously browsed your selection of hiking boots is far more likely to respond to an ad featuring outdoor gear than one about kitchen gadgets.
To make sure you’re matching (or better yet, exceeding) your customers’ expectations, start by personalizing your outreach. Use customer data to tailor your email campaigns. Segment your audience based on past purchases or browsing behavior to send recommendations that feel personal and helpful.
Next, re-engage with retargeting, using retargeting ads on social media and across the web to remind shoppers about the products they viewed but didn't buy. A visual reminder of that perfect sweater they considered can be the push they need to complete the purchase.
And be sure to reward your loyal fans! Offer exclusive discounts or early access to your most loyal customers. This not only drives sales but also makes them feel valued, strengthening their connection to your brand.
7. Shoppers Want Inspiration and Ideas
One of the biggest hurdles of the holiday season isn’t finding a parking spot at the mall. It’s figuring out what to buy in the first place. The holiday shopping fatigue and mental block is real, and if you can help with that problem, you have a huge opportunity to reel in major wins. After all, a significant 37% of shoppers admit their biggest frustration is simply not knowing what to buy.
As mentioned earlier, 41% of shoppers are already turning to gift guides for this very reason. They’re actively seeking inspiration and curated ideas to help them find that perfect, thoughtful gift.
Follow these tips:
Curate Thoughtful Gift Guides
Go beyond the basic "For Him" and "For Her." Create persona-based guides like "For the Home Chef," "For the Fitness Enthusiast," or "For the New Parent." This helps shoppers quickly find relevant ideas.
Showcase, Don't Just Tell
Use your social media channels to visually showcase gift ideas. Create short videos of products in action, post user-generated content of people loving your products, and run polls asking followers what's on their wishlist.
Offer Expert Help
Consider offering an online gift advisor via chat or a virtual consultation service. A little bit of expert guidance can make a world of difference for a shopper who feels stuck.
Your Holiday-Ready Checklist
Feeling ready to deck the halls with holiday sales? Let's recap what your customers are looking for: they want early deals, convenient ways to shop, confidence in their choices, great value, a frustration-free experience, and a little bit of inspiration. By acting on these insights now, you can set your brand up for its most successful holiday season yet.
The holidays are a marathon, not a sprint, and the race has already begun. Don't get left in the cold.
If you’re ready to build a holiday marketing strategy that connects with 2025 shoppers, the team at Kinetic319 specializes in creating data-driven campaigns that deliver real results.
Let’s talk about how we can make this your best season ever.