As we approach the critical shopping season, it is imperative to recognise that the preparation for Black Friday commences well in advance.

Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, and welcome to this new episode of "Retail Reckoning".

The salient point here is that retailers must take proactive measures now to ensure their platforms are primed for the anticipated surge in e-commerce activity. This entails not only rectifying technical issues such as bugs and broken links but also enhancing the mobile-friendliness of websites, as a significant proportion of transactions occur via smartphones.

Also, optimising email marketing strategies, managing customer expectations and driving sales.

By undertaking the essential steps offered in this episode, we can position ourselves favourably to capitalise on the lucrative opportunities presented during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the ensuing festive season.

Takeaways:

• Black Friday preparations commence well before November; proactive measures are essential for success.
• Ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is paramount given the high volume of mobile traffic.
• Effective email marketing can significantly enhance customer engagement and conversion rates during peak seasons.
• Retailers must adapt their strategies to avoid margin erosion while promoting products during holiday sales.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Barclaycard
• Statista
• Mailchimp
• Amazon
• Currys