Happy Holidays, everyone!

Thank you all for reading this year! I'll be back in 2010 to bring you more on the latest Gen Y retail trends. Have a wonderful holiday season and a very happy and healthy New Year! :)

Web sales surge during holiday snows

Although foot traffic at U.S. retailers last weekend took a hit due to holiday snowstorms, trapped inside took to the Web. Online retail sales rose 22.4% for the weekend compared with last year, according to a report by the Associated Press, which cited research from Web research firm Coremetrics. On Saturday, sales were up 24.8% alone.

Coremetrics research also found that the average shopper spent and ordered more on Saturday, when the weather's effects were deepest, than Friday. The surge continued on Monday; morning sales were strong as shoppers raced to make purchases so they could be delivered by Christmas.

As a result, online retailers are leveraging the spike. Many have extended the cutoff for standard shipping.

Now, what to make of these stats? This quote sums it up nicely: "This teaches consumers that maybe those of us that procrastinate, we still have time to go online very close to Christmas," John Squire, Coremetrics' chief strategy officer, told AP.

Kodak takes out the shipping anxiety

Sending last-minute reminders to shoppers about shipping deadlines is undeniably smart. But giving them the exact cut-off time to ensure delivery before Christmas is even better. Kudos to Kodak.com for taking the mystery of the equation by spelling out shipping rules clearly and upfront. It will make everyone more merry come Christmas morning.

The season for being social

In our recent December issue, I spoke with Susan A. McKenna, CEO of Winnetka, Calif.-based social-media firm McKenna’s Marketing, about how companies should tap into social-networking sites to lure last-minute holiday shoppers this season. Retailers, listen closely:

“Twitter is the place to be to get the word out about timely promotions,” McKenna said. “Meanwhile, both Twitter and Facebook can be used to offer up exclusive discounts, and hold countdowns and contests.”

Retailers can also use these sites as a vehicle to let consumers know what’s still in stock (and what’s going fast). “Anything that stimulates demand is effective,” said McKenna.

In addition, don’t be afraid to send out more than one tweet to plug a Twitter promotion. “Create some buzz, and get the word out as much as possible,” McKenna added. “Send out between five and eight tweets in a 24-hour period.”

Online retailers: Highlight what’s in stock

Once again, let me gush over Amazon.com for a moment: I love how the company's latest email blast highlights what items are still in stock and readily available to mailed out ASAP.

It's no secret that retailers expected inventory levels to be especially low this year. Since many retailers last year were left with lots of unsold merchandise after the holiday season, companies ordered fewer items this year to fill shelves. News of this spread quickly among shoppers, so be clear and tell them what's still in stock. Then offer guaranteed shipping so they know it will arrive in time.

Amazon's been on my good list all year ...

KISS works at Wal-Mart

Ever wonder what it would be like if the members of KISS worked at your local Wal-Mart? OK, me neither. But how amusing would it be to see them there, stocking the shelves and helping you at checkout? Click the video to watch. KISS is currently selling -- and promoting -- its latest album, "Sonic Boom," exclusively at Wal-Mart.

Target pops up in NYC

Target opened a temporary store in New York City today, attracting dozens of shoppers lined up in the cold for a chance to snag some of the retailer’s most-popular holiday gift items. Despite this morning's freezing temperatures (I mean, freezing), I went downtown to check out the launch.

The pop-up location Target To-Go is creatively set up like an outdoor take-out dining spot, where shoppers peruse items listed on signage resembling a menu at a fast-food restaurant. Customers then order by number and take the items to go. All gifts come already wrapped.

Those waiting in line at Target To-Go -- situated at the intersection of Gansevoort and Washington Streets near the High Line entrance -- received a clipboard with a list of the available 50 items -- ranging from toys and gadgets to home decor, beauty and fashion items.

The list is intended to give shoppers an idea of what to expect when they arrive at the front of the line. The location also features product displays to showcase the items for sale.

The concept is extremely unique and should fare well during its short stint in Manhattan. Target is also opening temporary holiday pop-up shops in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

“This holiday season, we wanted to give our urban markets a little slice of Target,” said Shawn Gensch, VP of marketing for Target. “We’re always trying to reach our guests in new and interesting ways, and Target To-Go gives time-starved city dwellers a convenient and affordable holiday shopping experience.”

The NYC iteration of Target To-Go is open to the public from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.