The survey also revealed that holiday 2013 will be a promotion-centric season. Retailers plan to use flash sales, buy-one-get-one free offers and free shipping at select times throughout the holiday season. And while 30 percent of retailers will begin promotions prior to Oct. 1, more than 40 percent will wait until early November to get started.
“While retailers have expressed cautious optimism for the 2013 holiday season, that optimism hinges on the ability to drive sales through strategically timed promotions in the fourth quarter,” said Lauren Freedman, president, e-tailing group, in the Baynote press release. “Retailers have made aggressive yet realistic goals for the season and, as a result, all eyes will be on bottom-line performance.”