Join Caleb Bryant and Caila Schwartz as they delve into the latest holiday sales forecasts and trends. Discover how global economic shifts, interest rate changes, and consumer behavior are shaping the holiday shopping landscape. With insights into discount strategies and the growing role of AI in customer service, this episode is a must-listen for retailers aiming to capture the holiday market. Tune in to learn how to navigate the season with strategic foresight and maximize your holiday sales potential.

Show Highlights:

• Discussion on Cyber Week 2025 discount strategies and regional variations in markdowns
• AI's impact on customer service, with a significant rise in chatbot usage
• Analysis of macroeconomic influences on retail
• Predictions for discount rates across various verticals, focusing on makeup, apparel, and home goods
• Reflections on past holiday sales trends
• Strategies for retailers to manage returns and leverage data-driven approaches for maximizing holiday sales

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/
• See our Holiday Predictions and more: https://www.salesforce.com/retail/peak-holiday/
• Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew

***

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.