As another year comes to a close, there is much to reflect on and look forward to. Amidst the uncertainty that remained throughout 2021, there is one piece of truth that small business owners like yourself can hold onto as we look ahead to 2022: neighbors are spending again.
Nextdoor’s latest Insights Report looks into how neighbors have settled into their new normal, including their shopping behaviors.
Read on to see what this means for your small business, or find the full report here.
Neighbors are once again making in-person purchases
New Nextdoor data shows that neighbors are increasingly making in-store purchases at independent retailers. Not only that, they’re also willing to pay a regular price for products sooner rather than wait for the item to go on sale.
The key takeaway for your small business
Establishing an online presence is still important if you want to attract new customers and drive traffic to your business, but now is also a good time to pay attention to your physical storefront if you have one. Spruce up your space by cleaning, organizing, and even adding new decorative touches if your budget allows. As always, stay on top of your customer service. What’s important is leaving your customers with a positive and memorable shopping experience that will keep them coming back.
Neighbors prefer a mix of in-store and online shopping
While we’re seeing neighbors make more purchases in-store, they still prefer a mix of online and in-store shopping for products across different categories like clothing, beauty, healthcare, and technology.
The key takeaway for your small business
Pay attention to your physical location but keep building your online presence. If you don’t know where to start, turn to Nextdoor. Claim your free Business Page so neighbors can discover your business. Customize your page with photos, your logo, important business information, and your business story to start reaching nearby customers.
Neighbors plan to maintain normal holiday spending
60% of neighbors say they plan to spend as they normally would this holiday season (compared to 44% in 2020). Top categories for holiday spending include:
- Clothing and accessories
- Entertainment
- Consumer electronics
- Experiences
- Kitchenware
The key takeaway for your small business
We are in the thick of the holiday shopping season and there is still time to maximize your year-end sales, especially if your business falls under the categories listed above. Grab the attention of last-minute shoppers and promote a Local Deal on Nextdoor. With Local Deals you can target specific neighborhoods to ensure your promotion is seen by your most important customers — your neighbors.
As we wrap up the year and look ahead to 2022, rest assured that neighbors still value local businesses and are already investing back into their communities.
