Andy Williams smoothly sings the holidays are the “most wonderful time of the year,” and many online retailers agree, although they cast it as frantic too. The November-December sales period accounts for an out-sized proportion of annual sales, and online retailers increasingly do especially well during the Christmas season.

This episode of the Digital Commerce 360 Insights podcast covers industry forecasts for holiday season sales, how merchants large and small are staffing up to manage holiday volume, and the marketing programs e-retailers are putting in place to draw consumers this season. Retailers and discussed by Internet Retailer senior editor April Berthene and research analyst James Risley include Macy’s Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Jet, J&P Cycles, Leather Gloves Online and Shoebacca.

Like what you hear? Subscribe to the Digital Commerce 360 Insights podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or Google Play. Want to get more insights on holiday sales strategies? Check out these upcoming Internet Retailer webinars on holiday readiness or read up on holiday news in our daily e-newsletter, IRNewslink.