Get ready for 2024: key dates to boost your online sales
Getting your e-commerce store ready for all the celebrations and holidays is key to hitting new sales figures. Get ahead and start planning now.
Planning ahead for holidays and celebrations in 2024 is crucial for maximising your online store’s sales potential. By organising your campaigns, inventory, and logistics in advance, you’ll be well-prepared to skyrocket your sales on these key dates.
February
10 February: Lunar New Year
2024 will be the Year of the Dragon for those who celebrate Lunar New Year. The festivities last for 15 days, and different regions in Asia have their own traditions, but there’ll be plenty of people getting together to exchange gifts and well wishes over elaborate feasts. In the lead up to the Lunar New Year, you can also expect customers to shop for new outfits – especially in red or gold – as well as dragon-themed decorations and accessories.
14 February: Valentine’s Day
This romantic holiday is a prime opportunity for thoughtful and personalised gifting. Consider curating a selection of bespoke items and handwritten notes to cater to the sentimental side of your customers.
March
8 March: International Women’s Day
Participate in the global celebration of women’s achievements by offering thoughtful discounts and deals that resonate with the spirit of empowerment and appreciation. Consider supporting a charity that’s dedicated to creating a better future for women and girls, too.
10 March: Start of Ramadan
The Blessed Month of Ramadan is a time for contemplation, reflection and celebration for Muslims worldwide. Your customers will be spending on gifts, clothing, groceries, travel tickets, and iftar, the meal eaten after sunset.
Online sales in Southeast Asia increased during Ramadan in 2022, and continued rising until approximately one week before Eid al-Fitr (also known as Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Singapore and Malaysia). Indonesia experienced the sharpest increase at 68%, followed by Malaysia at 35%. Singapore consumers continued with their usual shopping habits, suggesting that their retail habits remained largely unchanged even during Ramadan.
14 March: White Day
Originating in Japan and also known as Marshmallow Day, White Day is about gifting back to those who gave you a gift on Valentine’s Day. Shoppers often gift sweets, custom-made apparel, accessories and jewellery, which offers e-commerce sellers an excellent opportunity to boost their sales. White Day is most commonly celebrated in Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea.
29 and 31 March: Good Friday and Easter Sunday
For those who celebrate, Easter is a time for families to come together with a feast, easter egg hunts and often, chocolate eggs and toy rabbits. Adding an easter egg hunt on your website or store is a great way to mark the holiday and increase engagement with your customers.
April
13-15 April: Songkran Festival Sales
Arguably Thailand’s most important festival, Songkran, marks the traditional Thai New Year celebration – and presents a lucrative sales opportunity for online retailers. In 2023, Thai consumers spent an estimated 125 billion baht during Songkran.
May
12 May: Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a key gift-giving event, with shoppers buying flowers, chocolates, and gifts to show their appreciation for the mothers in their lives. Celebrate the occasion with different gift guides for Mum’s various needs – whether they’re a new mother who deserves some pampering, or a grandmother with hobby equipment that could use an upgrade.
June
16 June: Father’s Day
This day is for all the dads out there. Help your shoppers express gratitude for fathers in their lives by offering curated gift guides and special deals on products catering to various hobbies and interests.
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July
30 July: International Day of Friendship
The International Day of Friendship celebrates the relationships with our chosen family.
Embrace the spirit of camaraderie by offering promotions like Buy One Get One Free or similar deals that celebrate cherished friendships.
August
9 August: Singapore’s National Day
Singapore’s birthday is an occasion of pride and joy for its citizens every year, and it’s marked with various events, including parades, concerts, fireworks displays and of course – huge discounts and deals. Companies in every sector (from airlines to supermarkets and restaurants) will be taking part in National Day promotions, so don’t miss out.
31 August: Merdeka Day
Merdeka Day commemorates Malaysia’s declaration of independence from British rule, and is celebrated with various events like parades and cultural performances. It’s also a popular time for shopping as people take advantage of the festive spirit to enjoy discounts on items they’ve had their eye on.
September
Throughout September: The Great Singapore Sale
Join in on Singapore’s massive annual sales event. From small independent boutiques to international brands, retailers throughout the nation compete to attract customers with significant discounts and promotions. Today, the sales event extends online too, as platforms like Lazada offer up to 70% off popular goods.
16 September: Malaysia Day
Tap into the patriotic pride around the founding of Malaysia by offering special deals and discounts on items that resonate with local consumers. The Malaysian e-commerce market is estimated to be worth USD $9.4 billion, so there’s plenty of opportunity for your online store to get a slice of the pie.
October
29 October: Deepavali
Mark the Hindu festival of lights with a vibrant array of offerings, from home decor to indulgent gifts, to provide your customers with a collection that honours this time of joy and renewal.
31 October: Halloween
For many people, Halloween is one of the holidays they look forward to most all year, since it’s a time to go all out and get creative with costumes, themed parties and horror movie marathons. Tap into the excitement around Halloween with special offers on spooky outfit ideas, home decor and snacks to capture the festive spirit. You can also interact with your community through engaging content centred around costume ideas, DIY decorations, or the history of Halloween to increase engagement.
November
11 November: Singles’ Day
Often dubbed as ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day’, Singles’ Day celebrates single people and their life as it is. Originally started in China, the event has grown steadily around the globe and now sees higher sales than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. Get involved by offering indulgent treats and pampering items that celebrate the essence of self-love.
Want to know more about this giant shopping event? Check out our Singles’ Day guide for e-commerce retailers.
29 November: Black Friday
Black Friday is a global sales bonanza like no other, and a date not to be missed for any online retailer. Shoppers will be on the lookout for special deals for weeks leading up to this day, especially as they have Christmas gifts in mind.
Want to learn how to boost your e-commerce sales during Black Friday? Read our tips in our guide, Black Friday 2023: Strategies to maximise sales for online retailers.
December
2 December: Cyber Monday
Gear up for Cyber Monday with a diverse range of discounted products to attract tech-savvy shoppers and deal-seekers alike. Cyber Monday used to be distinct from Black Friday because sales were only held online, but these days it’s often incorporated into the big weekend of sales known as Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM). Electronics are the most popular category of items on sale during Cyber Monday, but other products, such as clothing, toys and beauty products sell well too.
25 December: Christmas Day
Capture the magic of Christmas by offering a captivating array of gifts, decorations, and festive essentials, reflecting the spirit of joy and generosity. To make sure your online store is well-prepared for this mega retail event, read our guide: E-commerce Christmas campaign ideas to boost sales.
31 December: New Year’s Eve
Encourage customers to embark on a fresh start for the new year with products tailored to their resolutions, hobbies and aspirations for 2025, such as planners, wellness products, travel vouchers, and hobby kits. Engaging with your customers through countdowns to the year and sharing your resolutions can also foster a sense of community and anticipation for the year ahead.
Setting up for a successful 2024 in sales
As you gear up for a year packed with sales potential, you might be wondering: how can you manage all your sales income from different sites and marketplaces – and in multiple different currencies – in one place, in a cost-effective and efficient way? Here’s how we can help.
Meet the World Account: a business account designed for trading in multiple countries. The World Account allows you to open 10+ local currency accounts and connect to 100+ leading marketplaces and online payment gateways, including Amazon, AliExpress, Stripe and PayPal.
With local account details, you’ll be able to set up local currency accounts with us in seconds – without the need for an overseas address. This means you’ll have a hassle-free way to receive your sales revenue in your customers’ local currencies for free. Plus, you can hold funds in the local currency until you need to pay a supplier or bring the money back home at competitive exchange rates. And to help you save even more, you’ll pay zero transaction or currency exchange fees when receiving funds, so you can keep more of your hard-earned profits.
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