Devoted to online marketing, viral marketing, and web marketing

With Holiday shopping just about ready to kick off in a big way, it's good to take inventory of consumers' moods as we enter into the season.

While shoppers are expected to spend more this year than in 2006, they are going to be a little more restrained this in contrast to past years. Spending is expected to increase by 3.7 percent this year. The last 10 years the average holiday spending increased by 4.8 percent.

This means we'll be dealing with people looking for a lot more everyday low prices, sales and price discounts. In other words, people will be looking for bargains a lot more this year than in the past.

“Shoppers will be a little more conservative with their spending as they become more aware of the softness in the economy,” said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “It is safe to say that many retailers will be competing on price, causing this holiday season to be very promotional - a tremendous win for consumers.”

One major thing consumers want this year is a gift card or certificate as a gift, with 53.8 percent saying that's their leading preference. I guess people are getting tired of bringing things back to the store.

Any online marketer should have a gift card or certificate program available as an option for consumers.

Another consideration online marketers will have to know, is consumers are saying they're not going to shop online as much this year as last, with 44.3 percent saying they will this year, while 47.1 percent did last year. Other shopping venues are having drops in consumer consideration as well.

For retailers specifically, consumers are looking to increase online spending from 28.9 percent in 2006, to 30.2 percent this year.

The one area that continues to be healthy and attractive to consumers is the luxury goods market, which is expected to perform strongly again this year for the holidays.