|
Returns, Gift Cards & Resolution-Fueled Shopping
The holiday rush is over, but the work continues. This week we're covering how to navigate "Returnuary," capitalize on gift card redemptions, turn holiday shoppers into loyal customers, and align with 2026's biggest trends.
📦 Post-Holiday Insights: Returns, Gift Cards & Resolutions
17%
Holiday Purchases
Get Returned
|
$29.1B
Gift Cards
Purchased in 2025
|
1.75M
UPS Returns
on Peak Day
|
🔄 The "Returnuary" Rush
January is peak return season. Offer hassle-free returns with extended windows, and try to convert returns into exchanges or store credits to keep customers engaged.
Read: Post-Holiday Returns Guide →
|
🎁 Gift Card Redemption Boom
$29.1B in gift cards were purchased during the holidays — much of that hits stores in Q1. January 17 is National Use Your Gift Card Day! Promote special gift-card-only deals.
Read: Gift Card Day Announcement →
|
🏃 Resolution-Fueled Shopping
48% aim to improve fitness and 34% plan to lose weight as resolutions. Position relevant products as "new year, new you" solutions — fitness gear, healthy foods, organizational tools, self-care.
Read: January Sales Strategies →
|
🔄 Q1 Customer Retention: Holiday Shoppers → Loyal Customers
The post-holiday period brought many first-time buyers. Here's how to turn them into repeat customers:
📧
Re-engage Holiday Shoppers
Send "we miss you" emails or offer incentives for a second purchase. Recommend products related to their December order.
Read: Re-engagement Strategies →
|
⭐
Double-Down on Loyalty Programs
January is ideal to launch or promote loyalty. Reward next purchases with bonus points, VIP access, or sneak peeks at 2026 products.
Read: Loyalty Program Tips →
|
🎯
Personalized Follow-Up Marketing
Segment your email list by purchase history and behavior. Send product care tips, how-to content, and complementary item recommendations.
Read: 2026 Ecommerce Trends →
|
📋 January Inventory & Operations Checklist
📊 Audit and Optimize Inventory
Analyze holiday sell-through rates. Clear excess stock with targeted discounts. Introduce products aligned with January needs (fitness gear, organizers, New Year essentials).
|
🔄 Streamline Returns & Exchanges
Provide clear return instructions, pre-paid labels, and quick refunds. Coordinate with 3PLs for the reverse logistics surge.
Read: Post-Holiday Success Guide →
|
📅 Plan for Upcoming Cycles
Map Valentine's Day, President's Day sales, and spring launches. Align inventory orders and marketing calendar now. Review budget and logistics capacity.
|
⚠️ AMAZON SELLER ALERT
FBA fees increased ~$0.08/unit in Q1 2026. Amazon has also ended FBA prep/labeling services as of Jan 1 — you'll need to handle product prep in-house or via a 3PL.
Read: Amazon FBA 2026 Changes →
🔮 Planning Ahead: Aligning with 2026 Trends
Position your business for success by orienting toward these key trends:
|
Embrace AI-Powered Commerce
AI is transforming everything from chatbots to inventory forecasting. Shopify's AI assistant "Sidekick" can build workflows via simple prompts. Consider AI tools for personalization, demand planning, and content generation.
Read: AI in Ecommerce →
|
|
Deliver Immersive Shopping Experiences
AR try-ons let shoppers preview products in their space. Livestream shopping is going mainstream on TikTok, Whatnot, and Instagram Live. These boost conversion through entertainment and interactivity.
|
|
Customer-Centric, Omnichannel Strategy
Ensure consistent pricing across channels, real-time inventory visibility, and seamless BOPIS options. Use predictive analytics to anticipate trends and build first-party data for privacy-compliant personalization.
|
🗓️ Upcoming Events
Key industry events and platform updates to kick off 2026:
|
The Whalies D2C Ecommerce Event
📍 Los Angeles • Premier D2C awards & networking
|
|
Shoptalk 2026
📍 Las Vegas • Always a major ecommerce forecast event
|
|
🛠️ Free Tool
Find Your Perfect eCommerce Platform
Planning a tech stack audit or platform migration in 2026? Compare Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and more based on your specific needs.
Try the Platform Calculator →
|
📚 Featured Reads
Dive deeper with these guides from our archive:
|
Happy New Year & Here's to a Successful Q1! 🎉
Build on your holiday gains by refining strategy, deepening customer relationships, and aligning with the trends shaping 2026.
Explore More Insights →
|
|
