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How do you capture last-minute holiday shoppers?

Posted on by SellerBites

We’re only a few hours from Black Friday—are you ready for the big rush?

Because we’re 101% sure shoppers are more than ready to get their hands on those deals!

So, here’s a lineup of intel and tricks you can use to face last-minute shoppers, whether for BFCM or the Christmas sale:

  • The key to holiday success 🎉
  • The ultimate holiday trick 💯
  • Last-minute shopping hook đŸȘ

BIG IDEA

Believe it or not, a lot of consumers continue to scroll through options on December 23, looking for something to add to the tree. For many retailers, these frantic last-minute shoppers are more than just a seasonal phenomenon—they’re a goldmine of opportunity.

An article on LinkedIn dove into why they matter and how to capture their attention.

⏱ Procrastinators unite

Nearly 70% of shoppers still have items left on their list in the final week before Christmas. Whether it’s procrastination, packed schedules, or a penchant for living on the edge, last-minute shopping is a booming segment.

Meet the types of holiday shoppers:

  • The spontaneous spender: Loves the thrill of last-minute decisions.
  • The busy bee: Pulled in 20 directions and needs quick, reliable options.
  • The bargain hunter: Waiting for that perfect, can’t-miss deal.

đŸ€ Strategies that seal the deal

  • Urgency is key. With a little sprinkle of messages like “Order by [date] for guaranteed delivery!” or “Only N left in stock!”, you’ll give shoppers the nudge they need to click “Buy Now.”
  • Shipping that saves the day. Same-day delivery? Express options? Clearly communicating these perks could make the difference between a sale and an abandoned cart. 🛒
  • Flash sales = fast decisions. Running time-sensitive deals gets procrastinators to act fast. Bonus points if you shout them out on your social media!
  • Countdown timers work wonders. Add visual urgency to product pages with countdown timers. They’re like little reminders that say “Hurry up before it’s too late!”
  • Gift cards to the rescue. When the clock’s ticking, who doesn’t love a gift card? Highlight these as the ultimate quick-and-easy option.
  • Curated gift guides. Simplify shopping with guides like “Gifts for Him” or “Top Picks Under $25.” These curated lists help overwhelmed shoppers find the perfect gift in minutes.
  • Engage on social media. Run giveaways or flash sales on your social channels to stay top-of-mind for last-minute buyers. A little extra visibility goes a long way!
  • Go big on mobile. With most last-minute shoppers glued to their phones, a smooth, mobile-friendly checkout process is non-negotiable.

đŸ€‘ Last-minute magic = big sales

Last-minute shoppers bring urgency, excitement, and yes—big bucks. Regardless of the occasion, catering to their needs could help you end the season on a high note.

So, fire up those countdown timers and embrace the chaos—they’re coming for you!

TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE

The holiday trick that will surely fire up your sales this peak season

When your business is backed by one of the most trusted names in retail, great things can happen.

The woman-founded party supply company found grand success on Walmart.com. According to Jill Schultz, Dir. Merchandising and Inventory, “Walmart has connected us with millions of customers that we would not have been able to reach otherwise.” and bringing joy to millions of customers during their times of celebration.  

Are you our next seller success story?   

Join today and tap into:  

  • a network of millions of customers 
  • powerful, easy-to-use solutions designed for growth 
  • Walmart’s omnichannel advantage 

Join Walmart Marketplace

BITES OF THE WEEK

TACTIC TALKS

Hook last-minute shoppers in 3 easy, surefire ways

As we’ve said, last-minute shoppers are a goldmine. It’s because they’re high-intent shoppers—they’ve already decided to spend, and it’s up to you to convince them to choose your store.

CedCommerce gives us ways to target these zero-hour shoppers.

  • Optimize your website. For last-minute shopping, time is of the essence. Make sure your websites can handle heavy traffic and maintain fast loading speeds. Also, most shopping is done with gadgets, so your mobile view should be optimized too.
    • How: Compress your large files, use tools to check your site performance, and create a responsive web design that looks great on all devices.
  • Send email notifications. A well-timed email can save scrambling shoppers looking for last-minute deals. Guide them to your product offerings.
    • How: Use attention-grabbing subject lines. Include exclusive flash deals. Make sure to target different customers—from repeat buyers to cart abandoners—via segmentation.
  • Promote with social media. People are on their socials typically 2.5 hours a day. Posting on these platforms is best for real-time, last-minute promotions.
    • How: Create last-minute ads and promote them actively online. Include holiday-themed keywords and hashtags like #LastMinuteDeals or #HolidayShoppingSpree to increase visibility.

💡 Bonus trick: Be more than ready to sell to last-minute shoppers

By this, we mean polishing your strategies as much as you can to ‘fix’ problems that aren’t there yet. This way, you’re all set to catch buyers until the last minute.