Upcoming Mother’s Day 2026: An Essential Opportunity for Brands to Attract New Customers and Retain Existing Ones
New York, April 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Optimove, a pioneer in Positionless Marketing, has just published its 2026 Mother’s Day Shopping Report. The report highlights both opportunities and challenges that retail brands must navigate. Notably, 49% of consumers are now utilizing AI tools to find gift ideas, while 64% indicate a strong likelihood of purchasing from a new or unfamiliar online retailer. This dual challenge underscores the necessity for brands to not only safeguard their existing customer base but also to engage with potential new shoppers who are willing to explore fresh options. In such a dynamic market, remaining passive is not an option.
The findings stem from a survey conducted in March and April 2026, involving 648 U.S. consumers with household incomes of $75,000 or more. The data reveals that Mother’s Day shoppers begin with a clear intent: 80% typically decide where to shop ahead of time. However, this intention does not guarantee commitment. These consumers actively research, compare, and remain open to discovering new options throughout their shopping journeys. With nearly two-thirds of shoppers willing to explore unfamiliar brands, brands must not take any existing customer relationships for granted.
This is where Positionless Marketing proves invaluable. The same platform that enables brands to identify when a loyal customer might be drifting towards competitors can also detect when potential new customers are considering them. The ability to act on both fronts simultaneously—without relying on handoffs between data, creative, and activation teams—distinguishes the brands that thrive from those that let opportunities slip by.
“Mother’s Day represents a critical moment for both customer retention and acquisition,” stated Pini Yakuel, CEO of Optimove. “The winning brands will be those that can interpret signals in real-time, recognizing when a loyal customer needs a reminder of why they chose you and when a new shopper is on the verge of conversion if presented with the right message at the right time. This is the power of Positionless Marketing.”
Further insights from the report highlight the significance of timing and relevance:
- Quality is the primary factor in gift selection, chosen by 51% of shoppers, while price (22%) and personalization (18%) follow closely behind. Brands that focus on quality messaging combined with personalized offers are in the strongest position to succeed.
- Relevance and personalization attract more attention than mere discounts. When asked what makes marketing messages resonate, 36% of shoppers cited relevance and 34% highlighted personalization, dwarfing the 14% who mentioned discounts alone.
- Pricing influences purchase timing. A striking 80% of shoppers indicated that an early sale would encourage them to make immediate purchases, granting brands a potent strategy for accelerating conversions. However, this effectiveness greatly depends on the relevance of the offer.
- Mother’s Day shopping occurs across multiple channels. A notable 47% of consumers plan to shop both in-store and online, while 81% check prices on mobile devices during in-person visits. Brands must strive for a coherent, integrated experience at every customer touchpoint.
The complete 2026 Mother’s Day Shopping Report, conducted in March and April 2026, is accessible at optimove.com.
About Optimove
Optimove revolutionizes marketing teams by breaking down the barriers of fixed roles, enabling marketers to execute any task instantly and independently. The Positionless Marketing approach has been proven to enhance campaign efficiency by 88%, allowing teams to foster more personalized engagements with existing customers.
For the second consecutive year, Optimove has been recognized as a Visionary in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Marketing Hubs, acknowledged for its AI-driven decision-making, prescriptive insights, and proven ability to orchestrate thousands of personalized campaigns across channels in real-time. The incorporation of AI into its platform since 2012 has established Optimove as a leader in the field of Positionless Marketing.
Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform consists of various tools, including Optimove Engage and Orchestrate for cross-channel decision making and orchestration, Optimove Personalize for digital personalization, and Optimove Gamify for loyalty and gamification.
Today, its cutting-edge, AI-driven suite empowers marketers to streamline their workflows from Insight to Creation and Optimization. Optimove offers tailored solutions for leading consumer brands worldwide.
About Optimove Insights
Optimove Insights is dedicated to delivering valuable industry insights and data-driven research aimed at empowering B2C businesses.
