According to a recent Algolia report, 67% of US customers adapt their recipes and grocery shopping lists to accommodate the changing seasons. This number goes up to 77% for parents, emphasising the family-oriented aspect of fall festivities.
One of the main drivers behind fall shopping trends is social media’s influence, especially for younger shoppers. As many as 45% of respondents said they got ideas for fall products from social media. TikTok is the main one, with 22% of respondents, and 53% of 18-24-year-olds, utilising the platform for seasonal ideas. This indicates how short-form video content influences customer behaviour, particularly during seasonal shifts.
With these platforms’ rising popularity, companies must keep up with the trends that drive consumer decisions, particularly as customer journeys become more digital. Those who can communicate with customers on social media or provide the expected seamless shopping experiences will have a better chance of capturing their attention.
Once the perfect seasonal product has been identified, most consumers continue to prefer in-person purchasing, with 72% preferring to shop in-store. However, online grocery delivery services are becoming popular. Almost 30% of consumers now rely on online grocery shopping, with 14% using delivery services and 15% choosing curbside pickup at their local store. This suggests that businesses should retain a flexible approach, including both in-person and digital shopping options.
Pumpkin-themed products, which are commonly associated with the fall season, continue to gain the most popularity. Notably, 32% of respondents support the “pumpkin creep”—the practice of releasing pumpkin-flavored products as early as August. This shows a high demand for fall flavours ahead of the season’s peak, pushing retailers to stock up.
With social media controlling the trends, companies must stay alert to changing customer behaviour. Meeting consumer expectations will be critical to profiting from fall shopping trends, whether it’s preparing for early seasonal releases or assuring multichannel shopping experiences.