The most wonderful time of the year is quickly approaching – ushering in a flurry of advertisements touting the latest and greatest products that will be on the top of wish lists this year. Stretching from Thanksgiving to Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Super Saturday and Christmas, the holiday season is historically retail’s busiest season, according to the National Retail Federation.
So, how do you ensure your brand is top of mind across the millions of shoppers ready to buy gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa? That’s where out of home (OOH) advertising, specifically transit, can make a difference. Between placing advertising in target locations near shopping centers, to large format advertisements that cannot be skipped or missed, bus and shelter advertising are the most sought-after ad formats of the season.
Advertising Near Shopping Centers to Target Consumers
According to the NRF, 92% of consumers plan to celebrate the winter holidays, and the eMarketer forecast predicts that sales will peak near $1.359 billion. If approximately 92% of the population of your local area is planning to be out and about shopping during the holiday months, you need your advertisements to be where they are.
Shockingly, according to Zeta Global, more shoppers are looking to return to stores to pick out their perfect gift this season. The desire to shop online fell sharply, from 43% in 2024 to only 30% looking online for deals in 2025. Which means that your digital ads aren’t making as much of as impact as they did last year.
Integrating out-of-home ads with your online strategy is practically a requirement for efficiency in 2025. While you can specifically target a location or look-alike audience online, these in your face, dinosaur size ads reach everyone as they cruise by. And practically everyone who hears and feels the rumble of a city bus is sure to look over in an almost animalistic fashion, ensuring high visibility. The renowned reach of public transit is a great activator and isn’t fragmented.
Separately, retailers should consider their location. Are there transit shelters on the sidewalk leading in the direction that drivers and pedestrians will pass by? Is the store along a bus route that could have an advertisement leading directly to the entrance? If your marketing strategy for the upcoming season doesn’t already include transit, it should!
Leverage OOH to Promote In-Store and Online Deals
With the current environment of the economy, McKinsey & Company finds that shoppers will be approaching this holiday season with “caution and practicality, adjusting their budgets and habits accordingly.” Additionally, eMarketer finds that consumers are going to be searching for discounts and smaller items. With both outlooks pointing to consumers focused on saving this holiday season, you need to leverage your sales to bring shoppers to your website or store.
Think about how utilizing OOH advertising can help your brand drive sales with budget conscious consumers, with the OAAA stating that seven in ten consumers noticing OOH ads on their way to retail stores, and 76% of adults taking an action on their mobile device following OOH exposure – an advertisement on a deep discount or special sale can drive more interest and purchases.
A Busy Season Calls for Ads on Busy Streets
Even with most consumers aiming to spend cautiously this holiday season, it’s still the busiest time for retailers. Which means that city streets leading to shopping centers will be seeing increased traffic as the holidays near. And there’s no better way to reach those drivers, passengers, and pedestrians than with a 40-foot eye level billboard right there in traffic with them. That’s the advantage of exterior bus advertising.
There’s a reason that transit advertising is the fastest growing OOH advertising option – increasing by 8.9% from Q2 of 2024 to Q2 of 2025. Transit reaches people where they are, not interrupting scrolling or a movie, but instead integrating into daily life, like shopping for that perfect gift. Having a bus advertisement roll up next to you as you sit at a red light grabs your attention as you sit idly.
So, as you plan your holiday campaign, think about the roadways and how you’re reaching people as they drive to your location. If you’re looking to grab the attention of a consumer looking to make a buying decision – transit may just be your best option.
The Holidays are Quickly Approaching – Reserve Advertising Space Now!
We are just weeks away from the holiday shopping season, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to advertise. Reach out to the team at Adsposure and let us know what you’re looking for in your next campaign. You can contact us at https://www.adsposure.com/contact-us/ or 833.940.1276. With advertising options across the United States, there’s a transit campaign for every budget and every goal.