With consumer holiday spending projected to be flat compared to last year, it's become ever-more important for retailers to deliver memorable, consistent experiences to customers across all of the channels they use, whether it's for product research, purchases, or support.

According to a recent Gallup holiday spending survey for the 2011 season, Americans expect to spend an average of $712 on holiday gifts this year, which is essentially flat compared to the $715 estimated last year. Consumer spending over the holidays has continued to tumble since the recession that began in 2008. According to Gallup, U.S. consumers expected to spend $909 per person on holiday gifts in 2007. In 2008, that figure dropped to $801. By 2009, it plunged to $740. Read more