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As an e-commerce manager, knowing when people spend the most can really help you make smart decisions around promotions and inventory.
Here’s a breakdown of the busiest shopping days and a few tips on how you can make the most of these key times.
What is the busiest shopping day of the year?
It might come as a surprise, but the busiest shopping days of the year aren’t during the holidays!
Back-to-College is the busiest shopping day of the year with a massive $1,364.75 in spending, with Back-to-School close behind at $874.68.
Even the Winter Holidays don’t quite catch up, coming in at $875.00.
Between school supplies, dorm room essentials, and tech gadgets, these are the times when people really open their wallets.
Here’s a breakdown of how other big shopping events compare!
- Back-to-College: $1,364.75
- Back-to-School: $874.68
- Winter Holidays: $875.00
- Mother’s Day: $254.04
- Father’s Day: $189.81
- Valentine’s Day: $185.81
- Easter: $177.06
- Graduation: $116.97
- Halloween: $108.24
- Independence Day: $90.42
- Super Bowl: $86.04
- St. Patrick’s Day: $44.40
What’s the most popular shopping day during the holiday season?
1. Back-to-College: $1,364.75
Back-to-College is massive! From furniture to tech gadgets, students (and parents) are loading up. This is your time to shine if you sell electronics, dorm decor, or clothing. Summer is prime time, so plan those promotions and make sure you’re stocked up.
2. Back-to-School: $874.68
Parents are spending big on everything from school supplies to backpacks and new clothes. If you’re in the e-commerce space, especially in kids’ fashion or stationery, this is one of the best times to offer bundles and deals. Think July and August.
3. Winter Holidays: $875.00 (2023)
The holiday season is always huge, even though 2024 data isn’t available yet. Gifts, decorations, and everything festive fly off the shelves during November and December. This is the perfect time to run gift guides, holiday-themed campaigns, and stress those shipping deadlines.
4. Mother’s Day: $254.04
We all know Mother’s Day is a big one! People love buying thoughtful gifts like jewelry, flowers, and personalized presents. Make sure you offer plenty of gift ideas and customizable options. A countdown to Mother’s Day in your email marketing is always a good idea.
5. Father’s Day: $189.81
Father’s Day doesn’t get as much love as Mother’s Day, but it’s still a solid sales opportunity. Dads are getting everything from tools to tech gadgets. Focus on unique and practical gifts, and consider promoting bundles like “Gift sets for Dad” for an extra push.
6. Valentine’s Day: $185.81
Ah, love is in the air (and so is spending). Couples are shopping for flowers, chocolates, and special gifts. If you offer personalized items, now’s the time to highlight them. Limited-time offers, bundles, and gift sets are your best friend during this period.
7. Easter: $177.06
Easter might not be at the top of everyone’s list, but there’s still a lot of spending around decorations, candy, and even outfits for the occasion. If your products fit the family-friendly vibe, like gifts or home decor, you should definitely have an Easter-themed promotion.
8. Graduation: $116.97
Graduation season is a time to celebrate – and buy gifts. Whether it’s a new laptop, fashion for the next stage in life, or personalized gifts, this is the time to push “gifts for grads” and include gift cards for those who don’t know what to buy!
9. Halloween: $108.24 (2023)
Halloween is super fun and people are spending on costumes, candy, and party decorations. Even though it’s not one of the biggest shopping days, it’s still a great chance to get creative with your marketing. Think spooky-themed products or limited-edition items.
10. Independence Day: $90.42
It’s all about the BBQs and fireworks! While it’s not a massive shopping holiday, selling outdoor goods, grills, or even party supplies can give you a nice boost in sales. Keep it simple and festive!
11. Super Bowl: $86.04
The Super Bowl is all about snacks, drinks, and team gear. E-commerce stores selling food packages, apparel, or electronics (hello, big-screen TVs) can really cash in. If you’re in this niche, make sure to target those football fans with game-day deals.
12. St. Patrick’s Day: $44.40
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the biggest spending event, but it still has its niche. People love themed parties and everything green. Focus on party supplies, clothing, and anything that can add some festivity to the celebrations.
How to Prepare for the Busiest Shopping Days of the Year
Knowing which events drive the most spending can help you prepare better. Here’s a quick strategy recap:
- Back-to-School & Back-to-College are where the big bucks are. Make sure your stock and promos are ready.
- Winter Holidays are huge, so plan early, especially for shipping deadlines.
- Holidays like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Father’s Day are perfect for promoting personalized gifts or bundles.
- Don’t sleep on the smaller holidays like Super Bowl or Halloween – they offer niche but profitable opportunities.
By keeping these key shopping dates in mind and planning your campaigns in advance, you’ll be ready to make the most of the biggest spending periods of the year!
Source Acknowledgment: The data and figures in this article come from reputable sources such as Statista, Insider Intelligence, Data Reportal, and Census.gov. These trusted organizations are known for providing accurate and reliable information, which helps ensure the credibility of the insights shared here.
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