With the booming development of e-commerce, some noteworthy shopping festivals have emerged around the world. Like China’s Double 11 and 618, they bring consumers abundant promotion and discount opportunities. For cross-border e-commerce sellers, seizing these international shopping carnival opportunities and formulating appropriate marketing strategies will help increase sales and enhance brand awareness. In this article, we will explore some of the noteworthy shopping festivals abroad and how to formulate promotion plans at these nodes and wait for the arrival of a large number of orders.
1. Halloween
Date: October 31
Stocking suggestions: It is recommended to start stocking in September, especially for products with a long production cycle
Product selection suggestions: Cosplay costumes, LED lighting, ghost home decoration, ghost toys, other products with Halloween style
Marketing suggestions: Halloween is a festival with pranks and dress-up as the theme. Therefore, sellers can carry out theme promotion and make the store Halloween-themed to attract customers. Launch a variety of promotional activities, such as limited-time buy one get one free or gifts, to attract customers to buy.
2. Thanksgiving
Date: The fourth Thursday of November
Stocking suggestions: It is recommended to start stocking in October
Product selection suggestions: kitchen supplies, clothing, shoes and hats, jewelry, home decoration (especially lamps), baby products, consumer electronics
Marketing suggestions: Thanksgiving is one of the largest festivals in the United States, and family reunions and food are important elements of this festival. Therefore, the sales of kitchen supplies will increase significantly. Sellers can decorate their stores and provide Thanksgiving-themed products and coupons to give back to customers for their support and loyalty to the brand.
3. Black Friday
Date: The fourth Friday of November
Stocking suggestions: It is recommended to start stocking in October
Product selection suggestions: kitchen supplies, clothing, shoes and hats, jewelry, home decoration (especially lamps), baby products, consumer electronics
Marketing suggestions: Black Friday is a day for Americans to go crazy shopping. Many people start queuing up in the early morning of the day after Thanksgiving to wait for discounts. Sellers can launch discount promotions, limited-time special offers, gift sales, or cooperate with other sellers, while increasing social media promotion and limited-time sales.
4. Cyber Monday
Date: The first Monday after Thanksgiving
Stocking suggestions: It is recommended to start stocking in October
Product selection suggestions: kitchen supplies, clothing, shoes and hats, jewelry, home decoration (especially lamps), baby products, consumer electronics
Marketing suggestions: Cyber Monday is an online shopping day specially launched by Amazon and other e-commerce platforms, similar to China’s “Double 11”. Sellers can increase social media promotion and community interaction and improve user review rates through online promotions, website optimization, email marketing, etc.
5. Christmas
Date: December 25th every year
Stocking suggestions: It is recommended to start stocking in late October
Product selection suggestions: Christmas cards, wrapping paper, disposable tableware, kitchen supplies, clothing, shoes and hats, jewelry, home decoration (especially lights), baby products, consumer electronics
Marketing suggestions: Christmas is a festival celebrated worldwide, providing excellent sales opportunities for cross-border e-commerce. Sellers can add Christmas-themed decorations to stores and products, launch limited-time specials, gifts and other promotional activities, and formulate marketing plans in advance to meet consumers’ shopping needs.
6. Valentine’s Day
Date: February 14
Stocking suggestions: Early January
Product selection suggestions: clothing, jewelry, flowers and chocolates, perfumes, belts, wallets, etc.
Marketing suggestions: Valentine’s Day is a festival to express love and affection. Sellers can attract couples to shop through price reduction promotions, keyword optimization, and gift activities. Use relevant tags and topics on social media to increase brand exposure and spread a romantic atmosphere.
7. Mother’s Day
Date: The second Sunday in May
Stocking suggestions: Early April
Product selection suggestions: Clothing, jewelry, flowers, chocolates, perfumes, etc.
Marketing suggestions: Mother’s Day is a good opportunity to thank and give back to mothers. Sellers can start Mother’s Day special promotions in advance, use relevant tags and keywords, strengthen social media publicity, and enhance brand influence and user stickiness.
8. Father’s Day
Date: The third Sunday in June
Stocking suggestions: Early May
Product selection suggestions: Clothing, perfumes, belts, wallets, etc.
Marketing suggestions: Father’s Day is a good time to give back to fathers. Sellers can promote Father’s Day promotions on social media and use relevant tags and keywords to attract consumers. Launch price reduction storm promotions, product bundling sales and other activities to increase brand exposure.
9. Graduation Season
Date: May, June
Stocking suggestions: early April
Product selection suggestions: clothing, shoes and bags, party supplies, etc.
Marketing suggestions: Graduation season is a time for students to celebrate. Sellers can publish graduation season dressing guides on social media to increase user interaction and brand awareness. Launch a variety of promotional activities to meet consumers’ shopping needs.
10. Back-to-School Season
Date: September
Stocking suggestions: early August
Product selection suggestions: clothing, shoes and bags, stationery, electronic products, etc.
Marketing suggestions: Back-to-School Season is a time for parents and students to prepare for the new school year. Sellers can preheat in advance through email marketing, formulate promotion plans, increase publicity and interaction on social media, and provide discount packages and free delivery services to meet consumers’ shopping needs.
In summary, shopping festivals around the world provide cross-border e-commerce with abundant sales opportunities, but the key to success lies in preparing goods in advance, formulating appropriate promotional strategies and carefully planned marketing activities. Sellers should accurately position their products according to the characteristics of the target market and consumer demand, seize the peak sales opportunities, and achieve greater business opportunities and growth. By deeply understanding these shopping festivals and responding flexibly, cross-border e-commerce sellers will be able to achieve greater success in the global market.