Okay, so it may be a little early to be talking about the holidays for some of you…but not for our retailers out there!
In you could believe it, we’re actually in the heart of holiday planning. And between brick-and-mortar stores, e-Commerce sites, mobile and social, there’s PLENTY of ground to cover. That is why Retail TouchPoints (RTP) is holding its first annual Holiday Connected Consumer Series (#HolidayCCS).
Next week, top thought leaders will delve into their holiday predictions and best practices. So needless to say, the RTP staff is getting in the holiday spirit by reminiscing on their favorite holiday memories and tunes!
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Where will you be doing most of your holiday shopping this year? In stores or online?
Debbie Hauss, Editor-in-Chief: Online. Many of the people I buy gifts for live far away so online shopping allows me to easily mail gifts.
Alicia Fiorletta, Senior Editor: It really depends on the product and who I’m shopping for. Sometimes, I want to buy something specific, and will buy it online to just check off my list faster. However, there’s something about visiting a store and stumbling on the perfect gift for someone by chance. So I will always end up visiting a few malls – just to be safe!
Kim Zimmermann, Managing Editor: In the store, unless it is for my niece, who helpfully provides links to wish lists on all of the web sites she frequents. She’s been doing this since she was 10 and is now 18.
Glenn Taylor, Associate Editor: I’ll search online, but I’m usually one of those people that makes purchases in-store after I catch wind of what’s available. I just like seeing the product I’m buying before I pay for it, as opposed to it just appearing out of nowhere on my doorstep.
Sal LoSauro, VP of Demand Generation: In store; with the kids it just makes it seem more like the holidays to go out and physically shop.
Dana Harder, Director of Channel Programs: Online – specifically, anything Amazon prime especially as it relates to kids toys from Santa…. Yes, it’s true, Santa is so busy he asked me to shop at Amazon especially since I get two-day free shipping!
Fatima D. Lora, Social Community Manager: Online – I can skim through retailers’ web sites and pick out the right gift for my loved ones without getting out of my pajamas.
Allie Agostino, Design Director: Online – I like to be organized and with Amazon’s prime shipping option I can quickly knock out a good deal of my Christmas shopping all in one place. For other items I try to plan ahead and use reliable, quality retailers like Nordstrom.
Devin McDonnell, Interactive Marketing Campaign Manager: Probably at the local mall. I’m a last minute shopper and usually pretty impulsive. I’ll browse the whole mall for something that jumps out at me that seems like a good fit for someone. I never really go in with a plan.
Kristen Sousa, HR Director: Online, mainly because there’s a wider variety of inventory available.
What is your fondest retail memory of the holidays?
Debbie Hauss: My son and I used go to New York City every year to see the windows on 5th Avenue and the tree at Rockefeller Center.
Alicia Fiorletta: I still remember the first time we saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I was mesmerized and I truly believe it was the moment I fell in love with NYC. Every year, I make a point to walk down 5th Avenue and see all the shop windows – especially Saks! There’s also something about waking up early, eating breakfast and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with my loved ones.
Kim Zimmermann: My sister and I finding all of our gifts in the attic, carefully unwrapping and rewrapping them. We thought we were clever, but still got busted by mom.
Glenn Taylor: The one time I went to FAO Schwarz in NYC as a kid felt surreal, basically because it was a Toys “R” Us on steroids (ironic given the circumstances today) that put an insane amount of effort into adopting the Christmas theme.
Sal LoSauro: I used to manage a Tie Rack in the Willowbrook Mall (in New Jersey) and on Black Friday our credit card machine went down. I stayed at the mall for 2.5 hours after closing calling up to get confirmation codes because I had to enter everything manually…
Dana Harder: Every year on Christmas Eve, my extended family draws a adjective from a bucket and then gets on a bus to the mall to purchase a secret santa gift that best describes that adjective. We have 20 minutes to purchase the gift and get back on the bus. You have no idea who you are buying for – only a word that describes them. Its a blast and the gifts can get very creative!
Fatima D. Lora: My mother shopping at Costco each year for goodies to make Christmas baskets for family and friends.
Allie Agostino: I love walking into the mall every year seeing holiday lights and decorations hanging from every nook and cranny. The retail rush gets me every time.
Devin McDonnell: Can’t say I have any. My favorite part is usually after the purchase…watching everyone opening the gifts I’ve gotten them and seeing their reactions. I also enjoy wrapping the gifts (yes, I actually do enjoy this).
Kristen Sousa: Window shopping in NYC.
What song gets you in the holiday spirit?
Debbie Hauss: “Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler.
Alicia Fiorletta: “Christmas Waltz” by Carpenters.
Kim Zimmermann: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love, or any song from Phil Spector’s Christmas album.
Glenn Taylor: “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” by Bruce Springsteen.
Sal LoSauro: “Christmas In Hollis” by RUN-DMC.
Dana Harder: “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee.
Fatima D. Lora: “Last Christmas” by Wham!
Devin McDonnell: “Sleigh Ride."
Kristen Sousa and Allie Agostino: "All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.
Where will you be doing most of your holiday shopping this year? What puts you in the holiday spirit?
Tell us on Twitter! @RTouchPoints
