Christmas shopping and Black Friday are the biggest shopping events of the year – and for retailers, the October to December period represents a golden opportunity to increase sales. But to succeed, companies need to prioritize data-driven strategies and real-time insights.

Two out of three shopping carts are abandoned before purchase
The traditional image of intense sales days, such as Black Friday, has changed. Today, promotions are spread out over several weeks, which means that the high pressure is becoming more unpredictable. At the same time, the majority of commerce is done online, where competition is fierce and customers' demands for smooth and personalized experiences are increasing.

A clear example of this is that 66.5 percent of online shopping carts are abandoned before the purchase is completedTo reduce churn and gain customer trust, data is required – not only to understand the customer journey but also to act in real time when something goes wrong.

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Maximize sales with real-time data and AI
To maximize revenue during this critical period, merchants need to ensure a solid technical foundation. This is not only about handling high traffic volumes, but also about quickly identifying and resolving issues. By using AI-powered Observability systems allow companies to detect bottlenecks in the customer journey, such as slow payment processes or difficult-to-navigate pages, and address them before customers abandon their purchases.

How data can help you create success:

• Identify where customers experience friction and reduce churn.
• Customize campaigns based on behavioral data from different channels.
• Deliver a smooth and personalized customer experience that strengthens loyalty.

Three key areas to prioritize
To succeed during Christmas shopping and Black Friday, retailers need to work strategically with their data. Here are three key areas to prioritize:

1. System stability: Ensure that platforms and payment solutions can handle high traffic volumes through extensive testing.
2. Real-time monitoring: Use AI to detect and resolve issues before they impact the customer experience.
3. Analyze and act: Understand the customer journey from start to finish and adapt strategies on an ongoing basis to optimize sales.

The winners of the future: those who put data first
Companies that prioritize their data and technology capabilities will not only survive the shopping peaks – they will thrive. With data insights, they can visualize the entire customer journey, reduce friction, and convert visitors into buyers.

In a time where competition is fiercer than ever, it is those who dare to invest in data and modern technology who will stand strongest – both during the Christmas shopping season and the rest of the year.