Holiday Shopping Tips for Smartphone Users from U.S. Celllular

The holiday shopping season signals a time when schedules get busier, stress levels rise and attention shifts to getting things crossed off checklists to prepare for gatherings with family and friends. The 2016 online shopping season was one of the biggest yet, with $91.7 billion spent – an 11 percent increase from the previous year – according to Adobe Digital Insights (ADI).

During this busy time, smartphones, such as the iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S8, are tools that can be utilized to simplify and enhance lives while also maximizing time and budgets when holiday shopping. According to U.S. Cellular’s annual consumer survey1, nearly 60 percent of smartphone users have shopped online on their phones. Further, research by ADI shows that Mobile had its first $2 billion day on Cyber Monday 2017.

“Smartphones give us the opportunity to do our holiday shopping anywhere and everywhere,” said Nakeita Stewart, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Missouri. “Whether in-store, at home, or on-the-go, our devices are utilized in every aspect of the process, from researching the right gift to making the final purchase. Consumers should consider these tips to make the most of their time so they can focus on what matters most during the holiday season.”

U.S. Cellular is offering the following holiday shopping tips:

• Research before purchasing. Gone are the days of thumbing through thick catalogs for ideas. Smartphones make researching online and accessing customer reviews easy while on-the-go. Many apps offer rich visuals, videos and content for brainstorming. For example, YouTube gift guides are a popular and effective way to get quick ideas, Amazon has millions of product reviews, or users can search and create gift idea lists on Pinterest.
• Avoid long check-out lines. The mobility of smartphones is one of their key benefits. Many consumers want to physically see and touch what they’re going to purchase, so visit stores to find a product, but actually make the purchase online to avoid long check-out lines. Many stores even allow for an item to be purchased online then picked up at the store for free.
• Keep great lists. Nearly 70 percent of people are totally undecided or considering multiple gift options when starting holiday shopping, according to a 2016 Google Consumer Survey. To be more organized while out browsing, utilize the notes feature on your device or take photos of what you want to purchase for a loved one.
• Keep cybersecurity in mind. It’s estimated that 64 percent of smartphone owners use their phone to manage finances once a month or more, according to U.S. Cellular’s consumer survey. Smartphone users should ensure phone security by using secure passwords, using familiar and secure websites and being wary when using public Wi-Fi to conduct holiday shopping online.

¹ Between Nov. 10-17, 2016, a total of 701 online interviews were conducted among a nationally representative sample by Consumer Insights, in partnership with Maritz CX.