All’s fair in love and war even during the Covid-19 pandemic. While celebrations and gatherings are growing smaller and smaller as crowd control and social distancing measures become stricter, love still blooms against the struggles that the pandemic is causing.

Even when the world froze with the Covid-19 pandemic, love continues to bloom. This is apparent with the sales in bridal gowns such as that of David’s Bridal, where sales are the same as that of last year. Even if wedding ceremonies are growing smaller with intimate wedding ceremonies, the need for brides to buy a wedding gown is still largely present. Even if the wedding gets postponed, they are still pursuing wedding ceremonies, albeit on a smaller scale.

David’s Bridal Turns It Around

Like any other industry, David’s Bridal was not exempt from the financial onslaught of the ongoing pandemic as it shut down stores, especially during the initial onset of the pandemic. However, with everything going digital, David Bridal decided to turn it around and adapt to the new times by investing in online marketing strategies and started using social media to generate more sales. With its new management, Oaktree Capital Group, they were able to shut down any whisper of bankruptcy and reduced its debt load by more than $400 million!

Going Digital

With everyone using the power of technology, bridal boutiques such as David Bridal decided to go digital to cater to a wider audience. It began offering virtual consultations with their stylists so brides can discuss their dream wedding gown in the confines of their homes. Their app also includes an augmented reality feature so the bride can see up close the type of fabric and beadwork and choose according to their personality and style.

Adapting to the Bride’s Taste

When you hear wedding bells, you will envision a blushing bride in a long white gown. And while that may be true in a more traditional sense, David Bridal recognizes that brides nowadays have to change tastes, and they included a more comprehensive portfolio when it comes to the styles of their wedding dresses. They included little white dresses, jumpsuits, and even separates that will be better suited for an intimate wedding ceremony. Aside from accommodating a more comprehensive portfolio of wedding gown styles, bridal accessories sales are also going through the roof with one very important addition—the face mask, which is usually done in the fabric of the wedding gown to match the bride’s outfit.

Resilient Revenue Growth for the Bridal Industry

In a recent survey by Moody’s Investor Services, results show that brides are spending at an average of $600 per gown—which is the same as what they are usually spending in the past few years, prior to the pandemic. Though sales for prom dresses have significantly lessened, the increase in wedding gown sales, bridesmaid dresses, accessories, and other dresses have grown significantly even with the ongoing pandemic.

Loyalty Program

With the thriving market in the wedding industry, David Bridal is seizing the moment and setting up a loyalty program of either spending more or recommending other clients to choose David Bridal for all their bridal needs. What’s at stake? It can go from a free wedding bouquet up on a honeymoon trip to Jamaica.

With the Holiday season coming, people everywhere are dashing to buy holiday presents for everyone— whether it is in a shopping mall or online. Here are the best credit cards to maximize holiday shopping deals to nab the best deal and maximize the benefits of your card!

With the holiday season just around the corner, people are scrambling to get presents for everyone. While there is a slight shift to how people purchase their gifts during the holiday season, according to Morning Consult’s 2020 Holiday Shopping Survey, 47% of individuals prefer to shop presents online, 27% will do an in-person method of holiday shopping, and around 31% will do a combination of both. While 2020 has been rough for the economy and people’s pockets, the survey also interestingly mentioned that 49% of holiday shoppers are likely to spend the same amount of money they did this year on gifts as they did last 2019.

Of course, smart consumers should know what credit card type to use for their shopping needs to fully maximize the rebates, promos, and discounts that each credit card offers, especially during the holiday season. Not only can you get more value for your money, but you can also nab great discounts to boot! Let us look at the different types of credit cards and how you can maximize it when you do your holiday shopping.

Best Credit Cards For…

The Department Store – U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card

Rewards: 5% cashback every quarter (n your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter, then 1%) and 1% on the everyday basis category.

Annual Fee: Zero!

Pros:

• Zero Annual Fee
• High cashback up to 5%
• Low spending required for a welcome bonus of $200 after you spend $500 within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Cons:

• 5% cashback is limited to just $2000 for each quarter
• 2% to 3% foreign transaction fee

The Verdict: The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card will definitely work best if you plan to do your holiday shopping at department stores as they provide a 5% cashback for department store staples as Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. Your second 5% bonus can widen a more comprehensive department store portfolio, which can now include GAP and Old Navy. Did I hear a cha-ching?

Target and Walmart – Discover it® Cash Back

Rewards: 5% cashback on Amazon, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations

Annual Fee: Still zero!

Pros: 

• Cashback program
• Dollar match welcome bonus for the first year!

Cons:

• Quarterly activation of cashback bonus
• $1500 limit of cashback bonus

The Verdict: If you are fond of shopping online through Amazon, Target.com, or Walmart.com, then the Discover it® Cash Back is definitely for you! It has zero annual fees and offers a generous dollar match for new cardholders at the end of their first year.

General Shopping – Citi® Double Cash Card

Rewards: 2% cashback – 1% on all purchases and 1% after you pay your credit card bill

Pros:

• 2% cashback on all purchases
• Simple cashback program without the unnecessary hassle of quarterly activations

Cons:

• No welcome bonus
• Additional 3% charge for purchases outside the U.S.

The Verdict: If you plan on shopping both in-person, online, and in various stores, then choose the Citi® Double Cash Card as this can generate 2% of cashback in all purchases.