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Over 70% of retailers are feeling more confident about Christmas trading than to last year, with 28% claiming they are “far more confident”, according to new research from Barclays.
According to a new survey of multi-channel retailers, commissioned by Barclays’ retail and wholesale banking team, the festive cheer compares favourably to last year, when just over half (52%) were feeling optimistic about the trading period ahead.
The majority of those surveyed (72%) also said that they expected revenues to increase, with over a fifth (21%) expecting sales to increase by 10% or more, compared to 2013.
According to the survey retailers are expecting to see growth across all of their sales channels over Christmas, with shopping on tablets predicted to take off. Over 35% of retailers said it would be their main sales channel from a growth perspective, ahead of smartphones and stores, both at 19%.
While selling through social media is in its infancy, retailers believe that shopping for gifts via social networking sites could increase by over a fifth (21%) compared with 2013.
Richard Lowe, head of retail and wholesale at Barclays, said: “2014 has been a good year for many retailers thanks to heightened consumer confidence and this is clearly reflected in their brighter outlook for the Christmas season.
“It’s interesting to see that purchases on tablets have been cited as retailers’ biggest opportunity for growth and social commerce is also one to watch in the future, as ‘buy buttons’ on social networking sites will make online shopping even more accessible.”
The survey also found the popularity of American shopping days is rising, with 65% of retailers planning Black Friday promotions on November 28.
