While this year has been mired in uncertainty, there is one thing we can be certain of – the 2020 holiday shopping season will be like no other we have ever seen. Black Friday crowds will dwindle. E-commerce holiday retail sales are expected to balloon as much as 25-35 percent. And the official kickoff of the 2020 holiday shopping season is starting much sooner than in previous years. Dubbed “10.10,” the elongated holiday sales cycle is aimed at mitigating potential shopping and fulfillment challenges due to shipping constraints and available merchandise.

As retailers navigate these uncharted waters, here are five tips to help you make the most of this extended holiday season and meet evolving customer expectations.