With the winter holidays approaching, Go RVing is encouraging RV industry businesses to take advantage of early consumer shopping habits and emerging digital marketing trends.
The insights were shared as part of Go RVing’s ongoing effort to keep industry stakeholders informed about consumer behavior and marketing opportunities.
According to a News and Insights report of RVIA on October 23, most consumers begin holiday shopping in October, with 23% waiting until November. This timing presents an opportunity for RV companies to capture proactive shoppers seeking gifts such as RV accessories, aftermarket upgrades, or future travel bookings.
A survey conducted by Critical Mass Insights found that 60% of participants plan to start holiday shopping in October or November, with nine in 10 saying they aim to make larger purchases before potential tariff increases. The data suggests that while consumer spending may be shifting, overall purchasing intent remains strong.
“Even though it’s not winter yet, October is a good opportunity to connect with proactive holiday shoppers,” the report indicates. “Consumers are starting their purchasing research earlier and spending isn’t necessarily slowing down; it’s just more nuanced now.”
The findings also emphasized the continued importance of personal recommendations in influencing consumer behavior. Forty-three percent of respondents said they are most likely to try a new store or brand based on recommendations from friends or family.
Meanwhile, 90% of shoppers reported that they share great deals with their networks after hearing radio or podcast ads.
Mobile commerce also continues to drive online purchasing, with an estimated 56.5% of U.S. holiday e-commerce sales and 11.5% of total holiday sales expected to come from mobile devices this year.
In addition, technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a larger role in the shopping process. Half of survey respondents said that AI tools, including chatbots and personalized gift guides, would improve their overall holiday shopping experience.
To help RV industry marketers align with these trends, the report recommended several strategies for the season.
Businesses are encouraged to create “mobile-optimized campaigns” that deliver personalized and engaging ads across platforms, ensuring visibility among shoppers browsing from phones or tablets.
Other recommended approaches include leveraging display ads to promote flash sales and highlight discounts to price-sensitive consumers. Many shoppers start online, a significant number still visit physical stores to find gifts, avoid shipping delays, or take advantage of last-minute deals.
Digital out-of-home advertising also presents a key opportunity. Campaigns placed in high-traffic areas, such as malls, transit stations, or bus shelters, can increase awareness and direct local shoppers to nearby RV dealerships or accessory stores.
Go RVing further advised companies to engage with journalists preparing holiday gift guides for major publications. Reaching out early can help RV brands secure valuable media coverage during the competitive holiday shopping season.
By aligning marketing strategies with consumer behavior and leveraging digital channels effectively, RV businesses can position themselves for stronger sales and brand visibility this holiday season.