The countdown to Black Friday is officially on, and the numbers show that shoppers are planning earlier than ever. Understanding this behavior is key to fine-tuning your inventory, logistics, and creating shopping experiences that truly stand out.
In the fashion world, dresses over pants are making a big comeback proving that consumers are craving versatility and style. For fashion e-commerce stores, this is the perfect time to play with outfit inspiration, styling ideas, and cross-selling strategies that help boost average order value.
And with so many opportunities ahead, digital security can’t be overlooked. As cyberattacks in online retail continue to rise, protecting customer data and systems has become a top priority, especially during big campaigns.
Happy reading!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BLACK FRIDAY
The countdown to Black Friday has officially started and consumers are already getting ready. With planning beginning earlier each year, retailers that align inventory, logistics, and marketing ahead of time are the ones who win big.
What Consumers Want to Buy
When it comes to categories, shoppers’ priorities are clear:
- Electronics and apparel lead Black Friday sales every year.
- Home goods and beauty products continue to grow as giftable favorites.
- Travel and experiences are also seeing a comeback as consumers look beyond physical products.
Free Shipping Still Reigns Supreme
Some things never change and shipping costs are still one of the biggest deal-breakers.
- 95% of shoppers say free shipping is an important factor in their purchasing decisions.
- Over half of shoppers are willing to pay for faster delivery.
Offering multiple delivery options, and communicating them clearly, can make all the difference between an abandoned cart and a confirmed sale.
Mobile Dominates the Shopping Experience
The shift to mobile isn’t new, but it’s now undeniable:
- 79% of Black Friday site traffic in 2024 came from mobile devices.
- Mobile checkout conversion rates hit record highs, especially on retailer apps.
What Retailers Should Prepare Now
With so much competition for attention (and wallet share), getting ahead is everything. Focus on:
- Inventory forecasting: anticipate top categories and sizes early.
- Pricing and promotions: bundle discounts or limited-time drops work best.
- Flexible payment options: “Buy Now, Pay Later” methods are growing fast.
- Site performance: page speed and mobile UX directly impact conversions.
- Cybersecurity: with rising retail data breaches, protecting customer information is non-negotiable.
ANOTHER Y2K TREND IS BACK IN STYLE: DRESSES OVER PANTS
Bold or just full of personality? Either way, the dress + pants combo is making a major comeback in street style and it’s impossible to ignore. What was once considered a fashion crime in the 2000s has now become a cool, intentional styling choice, seen everywhere from the runways to the streets of Copenhagen.
The secret to pulling off this trend is all about balance:
- Flowy fabrics pair perfectly with denim.
- Structured dresses call for tailored pants.
- Contrasting textures and prints add that effortless fashion-editor vibe.
- And if you’re just testing the waters, a monochrome look is always a safe bet.
From the classic little black dress to lace layered over jeans, the goal is simple: step away from the obvious and lean into personality-driven looks.
Fashion is showing us that consumers are craving versatility with pieces they can mix, match, and experiment with. And that opens big opportunities for e-commerce brands that want to stand out through styling inspiration, cross-selling, and curated outfit suggestions.
What about your store? Are you joining the movement that’s already taking over the streets and shopping carts?
ONLINE RETAIL: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR STORE FROM CYBER ATTACKS
Online shopping has become part of everyday life. E-commerce offers scale, convenience, and personalization, but it’s also become a prime target for cybercriminals because of the sheer volume of transactions and sensitive data moving through digital channels every day.
And it’s not just consumers that are at risk. Retail businesses themselves are in the crosshairs. Credentials, internal access, contracts, and supplier information are common targets, leading not only to financial losses but also to serious damage to brand reputation.
When Cyberattacks Happen Most
Peak sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other major promotions are also prime time for attackers. That’s when fake ads, cloned websites, and malicious links flood the internet, tricking customers and sometimes even infiltrating company systems.
According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, the global retail sector saw a 15% increase in security incidents from 2023 to 2024. In Latin America alone, 657 cases were reported in a single year, and 413 of them involved confirmed leaks of sensitive data.
The Weakest Links
The same report shows that 93% of breaches in retail follow three main paths:
- Social engineering attacks (like phishing and user manipulation);
- Web application attacks;
- Direct intrusions into internal systems.
Weak passwords and the use of email as a universal login remain some of the easiest openings for attackers to exploit.
What Can You Do?
Cybersecurity is no longer optional. It requires not just investment in technology, but also a shift in company culture: building awareness, training employees, and creating habits that strengthen defense from the inside out.
No measure offers 100% protection, but the right combination of tools, policies, and preparedness can dramatically reduce your risk.
The digital marketplace will only keep growing, and so will cyber threats. The real difference between companies that thrive and those that become statistics is how well they prepare.
Has your store ever gone through something similar?
