SLI Systems E-Retail Index Indicates Popular Search and Shopping Trends as Online Merchants Prepare for Influx of Holiday Traffic
Silly Bandz, Snuggies, Hoodies, Netbooks and Diamond Earrings Just a Few of the Top of Mind Items for Consumers this Year
SAN JOSE, CA – October 7, 2010 – With the December holidays just around the corner, consumers are already checking popular items off their shopping lists. As e-tailers prepare their sites and inventories for the holiday buying frenzy, SLI Systems, provider of on-demand, intelligent search and navigation solutions and services for e-commerce sites, lends important insight into some of the most popular items on consumers’ minds this year, based on popular search terms.
The SLI Holiday E-Retail Index assesses the most popular site search terms and phrases from a sampling of hundreds of online retail sites across a range of categories, including Apparel, Jewelry, Consumer Electronics, Cosmetics and Gifts & Novelties.
“Consumers begin purchasing holiday gifts earlier and earlier each year,” said Thierry Costa, vice president of marketing for SLI Systems. “Our proprietary site search data is a key to identifying the important trends online e-tailers should look for this holiday season. It not only helps e-tailers better manage their inventories, but can ensure they are providing a compelling shopping experience that more effectively converts browsers to buyers.”
SLI Holiday Index Findings, October 2010
The SLI Holiday E-Retail Index identifies trends across a number of popular shopping categories. The October index highlights uncovered the following retail fads:
- Women’s and Men’s Apparel
Currently, men and women are seeking the best in hoodies, cardigan sweaters and winter boots in preparation for this holiday season, whether shopping for loved ones or to enhance their own wardrobes. Silly Bandz bracelets remain a popular purchase item across many of the retail apparel and novelties stores. And, women are actively seeking out Maxi dresses, while men want the hottest looks in leather jackets. - Jewelry
The most popular trends in jewelry this season are focused on more traditional items, such as diamond stud earrings in all shapes and sizes. In October, online shoppers also sought out ruby and diamond rings and engagement rings, as well as men’s watches, from top designers such as Rolex. - Cosmetics
Online shoppers are busy looking for chemical-free and skin purifying cosmetics items this year. Products such as sulfate-free shampoo and antioxidant moisturizers are high on shopper’s lists, while make-up kits, hair extensions and eyelash growth products are also being searched for frequently. The top brands this season include Dermalogica, Bare Minerals, Ultraceuticals and Jane Iredale. - Consumer Electronics
In the area of consumer electronics, online shoppers are hot on the trail of new laptops, netbooks and all-in-one printers from brands including HP, Panasonic and Toshiba. Cameras are also a popular item from top manufacturers Canon and Nikon. Interestingly, searches for iPads were at the top of the list in June, but tapered off in July and have not gone back up. - Gifts and Novelties
Silly Bandz, hoodies, black lights, Snuggies and electronics tailor made for seniors, like the Go Computer and the Jitterbug phone, were the most popular novelty items in October. And, as consumers prepare for the holidays, items such as tablecloths and champagne glasses were also top on the list. In addition, searches for experience gifts, such as helicopter flying lessons were on the rise.“It is interesting to see a number of buying trends emerge this year as holiday shopping becomes top of mind for consumers,” said Costa. “We look forward to watching these trends evolve each month and shedding some light that will help e-tailers prepare for a fruitful season.”
About SLI Systems
SLI Systems is the leading developer of Software-as-a-Service learning-based search and navigation solutions for corporate Internet sites, content publishers, e-commerce destinations and consumer Internet portals that Searches, Learns and Improves the user experience. SLI Systems’ SaaS-based site search and user-generated SEO solutions empower businesses to enhance customer satisfaction while increasing sales, reducing costs and yielding valuable customer information. Unlike traditional search software, SLI Systems’ patented technology continuously “learns” from the behavior of visitors over time to deliver more relevant results. SLI Systems is a privately held company, with offices in Silicon Valley, London, and Christchurch, New Zealand. For more information, visit www.sli-systems.com, or see the company’s blog at blog.sli-systems.com.
