’Tis the season to go holiday shopping once again, but just like everything else this year, there are a few adjustments to the way we typically choose gifts. Consumer behavior and purchasing habits have fundamentally changed, thanks to the rise of conscious consumption, with local products and services now topping our list. The retail industry has also come up with ways to adapt to the situation to make our shopping experience safe, convenient and efficient.
Your gameplan on gift-giving depends a lot on which type of holiday shopper you are. Tick one and check out our tips on how you can custom fit your gift list.
‘Add to cart’ enthusiast
These are online shoppers who find more comfort in scouring the internet for the best finds. They use social media (especially Instagram) as a catalog, instead of going through racks of clothes or rows of shoes, and would just conveniently scroll through a shop profile and hit their DMs or comment “mine.” If you fall into this category, here’s what you should consider for your game plan.
Shop as early as you can
With more sales and exclusive discounts often given as Christmas day gets closer, last-minute demand could be greater than supply and stores could run out of stock before you can hit the checkout button.
Allot ample time for shipping especially if you plan to send your gifts out by Christmas. The high demand during the season may increase shipping costs and add to the delivery time, so it’s better to get ahead of the shopping peak.
Explore different platforms
Just as you’d compare products and prices in different malls, you might want to check out different platforms to find the best deals. Aside from giving access to a vast selection of items, it’s also important to choose a platform that lets you enjoy safe and secure transactions, amiable customer service and overall convenience starting from shopping to delivery.
Those who don’t have much time might want to check out shopping sites that consolidate different stores, such as Rockwell’s new e-commerce site shop.therockwellist.com, that will put together items from the mall’s different merchants in just one place. Products from Rockwell’s bestsellers, booze and bites and baker’s dozen collections are among the great finds you can score from this online site.
In-person shopper
This shopper prefers seeing items up close before deciding to buy them. Like true (Christmas shopping) warriors, they brave crowds in malls and holiday bazaars to score great deals. They also have an eye for quality—not a tear or stain can escape their eyes. Here’s what we suggest for their holiday shopping strategy this year.
Plan your shopping itinerary ahead of time
Before heading to the mall, prepare your gifting list. It doesn’t have to be too specific, but it should at least give you a concrete idea of what to get. This way, you won’t have to make too many on-the-spot decisions and get sidetracked by other items.
By making a list, you’d also be able to map out your itinerary and cut down shopping time. You’d also be able to estimate how long you’d have to be outside, and whether it requires you to take breaks or grab a meal in between tasks. In fact, Power Plant Mall even offers the option to book a restaurant visit to The Grid, Ooma, Manam, Din Tai Fung, 8Cuts, Phat Pho and Chili’s in advance online through the newly-launched Rockwellist Mobile App.
The faster you breeze through your gift shopping list and tasks, the more you can reduce the risk of exposure.
Choose contactless transactions
Shops now encourage using digital wallets to ensure fast and contactless transactions. Power Plant Mall has introduced its own virtual payment system. Available through the shopping center’s Rockwellist app, this mobile wallet lets you directly pay participating shops in partnership with Paymaya through your phone. You don’t even have to worry about spending time typing your credit card details for every transaction because its credit card vault feature lets you securely store those for easy access.
Another total timesaver from the Rockwellist Mobile App is its fast pass parking pay feature. You can avoid lining up behind other mall goers with access to the fast lane exit. Plus, you won’t have to look for your parking ticket or fish out your payment yourself, because all you have to do is scan the in-app barcode and your payment will automatically be computed and deducted from your mobile wallet or credit card.
Santa Cash (or gift card)
Instead of typical stocking stuffers like toys, clothes, shoes and other knick-knacks, this shopper would rather give something straightforward yet practical: cash or gift cards. They give receivers the freedom to choose what gift they want to receive. If you have this mode of gift-giving in mind, here’s what you should consider.
Look for mobile wallets that offer extra deals
There are many virtual wallet platforms out there, but it would be wise to find channels that will offer you something more in return. For example, an exclusive Rockwellist tote will also come as a freebie for every P5,000-worth item purchased through the Rockwellist Mobile App. You can also expect cashback promos for in-app purchases to be available soon. Those who prefer giving gift certificates may also check out the virtual deals on therockwellist.com.
Maximize the platform’s features
Some mobile wallets also offer features like attaching a personalized video or photo message along with money. Why not use it to send a virtual Christmas greeting card? If your mobile wallet platform doesn’t have that feature, a sweet message on the “Notes” part before sending your cash gift may give it a more personal touch.
With the innovations brought by technology, having a fuss-free holiday has become easier for us. Just one click would lead you to the best deals and give you lots of great options on holiday preparations and celebrations to explore, all while prioritizing safety and convenience at the same time. With your gift list done, there’s only one more thing left to do: have a merry Christmas!
Header photo by gonghuimin468 from Pixabay
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