U.S. retail poised for a positive holiday season - by Faith Hope Consolo

Faith Hope Consolo, Douglas Elliman

Black Friday kicked off the holiday season with omnichannel retailers going gangbusters! Shoppers hit the malls, main streets and shopping centers for shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. By combining the digital and physical experience, aka bricks and mortar, retailers that offer this winning combination continue to thrive!

The growth of mobile commerce is here to stay and on the rise. More than half of Cyber Monday and Black Friday purchases were made on mobile devices. Amazon debuted an overhauled version of its mobile application ahead of Black Friday. Package X-Ray lets iPhones scan a delivered package to see what’s in it without opening and Search Anything lets shoppers point their phone’s camera at a real-world item to pull up a list of similar merchandise options. Walmart offered dozens of items available only via the retailer’s mobile app. eBay has #GiftGoals shopping guides, which combine social media capabilities with practical advice for interpersonal engagement, mapping holiday gift ideas to 12 different personality types.  

U.S. retailers exploded their mobile campaigns and over half included mobile in their advertising and marketing. Generic mobile coupons are out of favor and instead focusing mobile marketing on targeted ads and social media apps; Instagram and Snapchat. Almost every single person has the power to shop from their mobile device and it is becoming more seamless than ever.

During November and December, holiday spending is expected to reach $700 billion this year. The economy is stabilizing, and people are spending more of their dollars on holiday gifts for both others and themselves. Surveys report 40% of consumers planning to spend more money on gifts than they did last year, adding up to the $10 billion dollar increase in total sales from last year. Bricks and mortar stores will also come out on top as shoppers combine all avenues of shopping while retailers are trying to stand out with better service and more excitement in the stores.

Retailers should have plenty to be thankful for in the coming holiday season; it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Everyone is optimistic and ready to shop!

Before we take out our lists and check them twice, let’s check out some NYC stores new...

On Fifth Ave., Germany-based watch and jewelry retailer Wempe has reopened and doubled its Manhattan flagship at 700 Fifth Ave. following a two-year renovation. North Face opened its two-story global headquarters and biggest shop in the world at number 510.

On 57^th St., Chanel just debuted at number 5 (Chanel #5…) while number 15 is under renovation on the very same block.

On Madison Ave., Les Canebiers St. Tropez is back at 575 Madison Ave. Bonobos opened its fifth Manhattan location, number 488, surrounded by neighbors including Porsche Design, Tourneau, and Lladró.

In Midtown, menswear retailer Combatant Gentlemen will have an in-store shop in Bloomingdale’s at 59^th and Lexington Ave. with on-site tailoring and touch screens to customize your suit. Make Up For Ever coming Spring 2017, 731 Lexington Avenue. German car company Volvo to have a showroom at 605 West 42^nd St.

In Herald Sq., Macy’s has a new hub dedicated to Apple products becoming the first U.S. department store with a shopping area devoted to the brand, located near the main 34^th St. entrance at Seventh Ave.

In TriBeCa, Asian-goods emporium Pearl River Mart to reopen at 395 Broadway (the southwest corner of Walker). Thom Browne women’s store coming to 42 Hudson St.

In Union Sq., UK-based e-tailer, boohoo.com, for its first bricks-and-mortar store at 3 West 13^th St.

In SoHo, European designer Simone Rocha coming to 71 Wooster Street for her stateside debut. Parisian bridal designer Laure de Sagazan has opened at 155 Wooster St. Skechers footwear to 530 Broadway. Luana Italy coming to 155 Spring St., bringing modern, accessible luxe. Parisian jewelry designer DJULA signed a lease for its second US location, also at 155 Spring St. The Arrivals pop-up shop, 39 1/2 Crosby St. (between Grand and Broome) features emerging designers like Daniel Wellington, Killspencer, Pintrill and Othr. Vera Bradley has her first full-line flagship store, complete with handbags, luggage and other travel items, accessories, eyewear, jewelry, fragrance and lifestyle items, open at 411 West Broadway (between Prince and Spring) Dutch brand Bugaboo has kicked off its first pop-up store at 224 Mulberry St. for their luggage and iconic strollers.

In Greenwich Village, legendary bookstore McNally Jackson will bring their “Goods for the Study” concept to 50 West 8^th St., offering stationery, paper, notebooks, books and more. 

In the Flatiron District, Pottery Barn to 11 West 19^th St. between Fifth Ave. and Avenue of the Americas. Footwear and clothing company Johnston & Murphy now has their second Manhattan store at 200 Fifth Ave. Happy holidays and happy shopping! 

Faith Hope Consolo is the chairman of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Leasing, Marketing and Sales Division, New York, N.Y.