What is the story about?
What's Happening?
As the holiday shopping season approaches, retailers are being urged to address critical digital accessibility issues that could impact their sales and customer loyalty. According to the National Retail Federation, the holiday season accounts for nearly 20% of annual sales, making it crucial for retailers to ensure a seamless shopping experience. However, findings from AudioEye’s 2025 Digital Accessibility Index reveal that retail websites average more than 350 accessibility issues per page, the highest of any industry analyzed. These issues include missing product descriptions, broken checkout forms, and promotional content that is unreadable for customers with low vision. Such barriers not only lead to abandoned shopping carts but also erode customer loyalty and increase legal risks, as nearly 70% of ADA-related digital accessibility lawsuits this year targeted e-commerce businesses.
Why It's Important?
Addressing digital accessibility is not just a compliance issue but a significant market opportunity. People with disabilities and their households control an estimated $18 trillion in global disposable income. By improving accessibility, retailers can tap into this vast market, enhance customer satisfaction, and reduce legal exposure. Moreover, accessible design practices can improve search engine optimization (SEO) and help brands appear in AI-driven search results, further expanding their reach. Retailers who prioritize accessibility can capture incremental revenue during the busiest shopping period of the year and build stronger long-term customer loyalty.
What's Next?
Retailers are encouraged to adopt a hybrid approach to accessibility, combining automation to address issues at scale with expert testing to catch more nuanced problems. This strategy can lead to quick improvements in site accessibility, resulting in more completed purchases and fewer abandoned carts. As the holiday rush approaches, retailers have a limited window to implement these changes and gain a competitive advantage. By acting now, they can not only prepare for the 2025 holiday season but also position themselves for future success as digital shopping continues to evolve.
Beyond the Headlines
The push for digital accessibility highlights broader ethical and legal considerations for retailers. Ensuring that all customers, regardless of ability, can access and navigate online platforms is a matter of inclusivity and fairness. As digital commerce becomes increasingly central to retail strategies, companies that lead in accessibility are likely to set industry standards and influence future regulations. This shift towards more inclusive digital experiences reflects a growing recognition of the diverse needs of consumers and the importance of designing with accessibility in mind.
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