Christmas Shopping Trends for 2021

Christmas shopping trends for 2021 that you can use to sell more crafts this holiday season.

I've reviewed loads of holiday retail data from the perspective of craft business owners, so you don't have to.

You're welcome!

The goal: To understand how people who sell handmade items at art shows and online can work with current trends to boost sales for the Christmas 2021 shopping season.

Christmas Shopping Trends 2021

Back in 2020, shopping habits changed significantly, making holiday retail trends tough to predict that year. In 2021, shopping behaviors are still greatly transformed, but we have a clearer picture now, and we can identify a few important trends.

Related: Are you looking for the most recent forecast on handmade trends? Check out my updated report, Crafts That Sell Well.

Shoppers Plan to Spend More in 2021

Total sales for the 2021 holiday shopping season are expected to increase. Overall, retailers this year can expect a 7% to 9% increase in total holiday revenues compared to last year. ^{(source Deloitte)}

Most shoppers plan to spend the same amount or more than they spent in 2020. 

Over 85% of holiday shoppers say they will spend at least as much they spent last year. 65% of shoppers plan to spend at least $250, up from last year.

Shoppers Will Start Buying Earlier Than Usual

Looking more closely at those numbers, we can see that you'll be wise to start promotions early if your customers are primarily women and older shoppers.

If your customers are primarily men or younger people, expect them to shop later, and entice them with sales.

Online & Hybrid Shopping Will Be Strong

Smart phones will be essential tools for shoppers.

Almost everyone under 40 (80%) will be searching for the perfect gift on their phones. In the over-40 crowd, 66% will use their phones to find gifts.

Offering curbside pickup will appeal to many customers. 82% of shoppers said they plan to use curbside pickup at the same rate or more often than in 2020.

Social media platforms will have a significant impact on customers' buying choices. 70% of shoppers say they will look to at least one social platform for gift ideas with Facebook and Instagram being the most popular sources for inspiration. That number is highest for Gen Z shoppers at 84% and Millennials at 81%. (source Tinuiti)

Large Retailers Dominate, but Strategies for Small Businesses Exist

Large retailers will, by far, be the place where most people do their holiday shopping in 2021. However, there are marketing strategies small business owners can use that will resonate with customers.

71% of shoppers say they will do most of their holiday shopping through large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

In a distant second place, 13% say they will do most of their shopping at local and small businesses.

Promote your company as a local business.

Although large retailers will be popular, almost half of all shoppers across all age groups say that supporting locally owned businesses is an important factor in their shopping choices. 36% plan to shop more at small and local businesses this holiday season. (source Tinuiti)

You can encourage shoppers at Christmas craft shows to shop small, local, and handmade by displaying one of my free, printable craft fair signs.

Use social media to promote social values your company sincerely embraces, especially if your customers are young.

Overall, 53% of shoppers are "intentional" shoppers, meaning a company's corporate responsibility is a consideration when they decide where they will buy holiday gifts.

For younger shoppers — those aged 18 to 24 — that number is markedly higher. 71% of younger shoppers say a company's commitment to at least one social or environmental cause would encourage them to support that company. (source Tinuiti)

Intentional shoppers and customers who plan to shop local are influenced by social media, making the social media platform(s) your customers use great places to share your company's values.

Offer an online shopping option even if your customers are local.

Online shopping is a powerful Christmas shopping trend that continues to grow in 2021.

73% of shoppers say they will do more than half of their holiday shopping online in 2021. If you don't offer an online shopping option, you're missing a lot of opportunities.

Consider selling on Etsy, especially if your customers are young & female.

Etsy offers an opportunity for small craft business owners to access one of the larger marketplaces that are so popular with shoppers in 2021.

Customers in your Etsy shop will often be intentional shoppers. They see the marketplace as a venue for supporting small and local businesses.

Overall, 23% of shoppers plan to buy some Christmas gifts on Etsy in 2021, up from 12% in 2020. The marketplace is particularly popular with female shoppers (28% plan to shop Etsy for holiday gifts) and younger customers (31% plan to shop on Etsy). (source Tinuiti)

Shoppers Will Buy Gifts From a Range of Categories

2021 Christmas shopping trends show that people plan to buy gifts from a broad range of categories.

Notably, holiday shopping statistics predict a large increase in clothing & jewelry gifts and only a small increase in home goods. This trend is likely due to people going out more in 2021. They want to look good in their new clothing and jewelry, and they aren't quite as invested in at-home activities as they were in 2020.

Lifestyle changes also impact 2021 Christmas style trends for fashion and holiday home decor.

Gift cards will be the second most popular gift category in 2021.

Knowing that clothing is the most popular gift category in 2021 is great if you sell clothing. It doesn't help much if you make handmade soap or jewelry.

Happily, Christmas shopping trends predictions show that gift cards will also be very popular. 61% of all shoppers and 66% of shoppers over 40 plan to buy gift cards in 2021. (source Tinuiti)

You can offer gift cards no matter what type of product you sell, promoting them as a simple and smart gift giving option.

Key Takeaways to Sell More Crafts This Christmas

Predicted Christmas shopping trends for 2021 will, for the most part, grow from trends of the previous year.

In general, people are starting to go out more, but they are still connected to the safety of their homes and wary of crowded situations. Those sentiments are expected to shape the holiday shopping behavior for 2021.

Shoppers plan to spend more but are still cost-conscious. They will shop earlier and online. Most holiday shopping dollars will go to large retailers, but there a key values that can entice shoppers to support smaller businesses.

Start holiday promotions early — Expect more customers than ever before to be shopping well before Thanksgiving in 2021

Offer an online shopping option — A full 73% of shoppers will do most of their holiday shopping online. Online shopping has seen huge growth. It is here to stay, which makes investment in that capability a smart addition to your business.

Consider opening an Etsy shop — Etsy has seen huge growth, and it offers an easy and inexpensive way for craft business owners to start to sell crafts online.

Give customers a reason to support your business instead of shopping with large retailers — Promoting yourself as a local, small business owner, and highlighting social or environmental causes your company embraces are good strategies. Sharing those messages on social media will help you reach intentional shoppers. 

Holiday Shopping Trends and Statistics

Here are the sources I used for this article. Most are reports that require you to provide an email address to access the PDF.

Deloitte Article: Holiday Retail Sales Expected to Increase 7-9%

Tinuiti Report: 2021 Holiday Consumer Spending Trends

Criteo Article & Report: 2021 Holiday Shopping Predictions: 5 Trends to Watch

Channel Advisor Report: The 2021 Holiday Planning Guide