New Year’s Eve is a time when the festive mood is combined with a real shopping boom. Some still traditionally visit shopping centers or small shops, but more and more consumers prefer online shopping. The last quarter of the year becomes a “golden time” for online stores, because Black Friday, Cyber Monday and pre-holiday sales turn gadget screens into the main showcases of the year. Convenience, fast shipping and attractive discounts make online shopping the perfect solution for those looking to save money during the holiday rush.
Festive surge of online shopping in the world
At one time, the coronavirus pandemic became the catalyst for online shopping. She taught people to do many common things without leaving home. Forced and prolonged isolation, in fact, created a surge of interest in digital shopping and cemented this tradition among millions of consumers around the world.
In general, this trend emerged gradually. And over the past 15 years, the share of money that consumers spend online has more than tripled. Most online shopping traditionally occurs in the fourth quarter due to Black Friday and holiday needs. The infographic shows how the percentage of New Year’s Eve online shopping grows in the context of total retail sales in different years. We can see that the average online purchases for Q1-Q3 are always lower than the same figure for Q4.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
Since people are often pressed for time during the holiday season, many are opting for fast online ordering and home delivery.
In addition to convenience, attractive offers also stimulate customers to shop online. For example, promotions like “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday” offer special discounts for online shoppers. In 2024, Cyber Monday attracted more than 64 million shoppers in the U.S. — nearly three times the 23 million people who shopped in stores.
According to the data Visual Capitalist, free and fast shipping are top priorities for online shoppers. About 40% are likely to abandon purchases from a retailer if shipping costs are prohibitive, and 32% will stop shopping in the event of late deliveries. These high demands, as well as the growth of e-commerce, contribute to the increased demand for facilities capable of processing online orders.
Logistics and industrial warehouses of companies, as a rule, are strategically located in order to reduce costs and ensure the most prompt delivery of goods to consumers. During the peak holiday season, these units operate at maximum capacity to meet the growing consumer demand for gift products.
Ukrainians also buy gifts online
In order to cope with the growth of online orders, Ukrainian retailers also need to have a clear plan for the storage of goods and their delivery to customers, because the interest of Ukrainians in digital purchases is growing intensively. As you know, Ukrainian consumers actively use Rozetka, Prom.ua, Allo and other platforms, which allows them to compare prices and look for discounts. The outlet, for example, is one of the market leaders, offering both delivery and pickup options.
With the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, the popularity of delivery services has increased significantly. Many retailers have begun to provide the ability to deliver goods not only to large cities, but also to small settlements in order to meet demand in conditions of limited access to offline stores. The popularity of mobile applications for shopping is also growing in Ukraine. People are increasingly shopping through mobile phones, which is convenient because it allows you to shop anytime, anywhere.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
What do Ukrainians give each other on Christmas and New Year holidays?
According to the analysis of search queries of Ukrainians on Google, on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays, there is an increased interest in certain categories of gifts, which reflects current consumer preferences in Ukraine. In particular, among the most popular options for gifts, you can notice brightly decorated gift sets, which are especially popular due to their versatility and aesthetic appearance. Such sets often include sweets, cosmetics, accessories or other little things that allow you to create a festive atmosphere.
Game consoles are also high in demand as they remain a popular gift for young people and families with children. Favorable offers for New Year’s discounts further increase the demand for these products. Sweaters are no less popular, especially those with original festive patterns or made of warm materials. They not only give warmth, but also become an important part of the New Year’s look.
Board games also find their audience, as they have become a popular choice for spending time with family and friends during the winter period. Many people prefer traditional or new board games that contribute to fun and active holiday evenings.
Another trend is decorations, in particular those that create a festive atmosphere in the house. Holiday decorations, decorative lights, various Christmas tree toys and home accessories often become part of the list of desired gifts, as they add warmth and coziness to the home.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
As we can see, the increased interest in these categories of gifts indicates that Ukrainians are trying to choose gifts that will be not only practical, but also create a festive mood in the New Year period.
