Asia pacific christmas

Top Holidays 2022 in Asia Pacific for e-commerce brands to succeed

by with No Comment Cross-Border

What is better than getting to know your customers in the Asia-Pacific region and successfully thriving on these holidays in these markets? Stay here and learn more about Australia, Japan, and Korea’s most important shopping days of this holiday season. From Halloween to Christmas to New Year, and between unique holidays, mark your calendars and prepare to market your products appropriately to increase your sales potentially!  

Don’t forget to read further tips on our previous blog, “6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season,” to help you stand up these holidays.  

 

 

Holidays in Australia, Japan and South Korea 

October  

31st Halloween: This holiday has become popular due to the influence of Americans and Europeans and has gained popularity among younger generations. Costume parties, themed bakery items and products are standard on this day. As for online brands, it is crucial to offer special deals to increase profits and gain brand recognition.   

November  

25th Black Friday & 28th Cyber Monday: These are annual sales that online brands cannot miss. They have become more prevalent in recent years, and intelligent shoppers from these countries mark their calendars and show up to find the best deals on products they love. As they actively look and buy, it is a fantastic time to run campaigns with great deals that draw attention to your shop, raise awareness and potentially increase sales. 

 

Apart from the holidays listed above, here are the holidays unique to each country, Australia, Japan and South Korea. You can discover briefly how they celebrate them, so you can decide how best to market your brand and products to any of these markets.  

 

 

Australia  

 

Australia is in the southern atmosphere, meaning the seasons differ from the United States. September to November is spring, and December to February is summer. Remember this when you consider the products you will offer to the Australian market.    

November 

1st Melbourne Cup: This is a day celebrated mainly in Melbourne and the Victoria area. But it has spread across other cities. There is a big horse racing event; people love to buy related products, such as hats, accessories, and clothing. This can be a good opportunity for online brands that sell Western-style fashion and offer special discounts to connect and resonate with their Australian audience.   

8th Click Frenzy – the Main Event: This day is like Cyber Monday, but it only happens in Australia. Many shoppers are waiting on this day to find good deals and discounts. People often sign up for online shops participating in this holiday to find the products they love at a meager price. US brands seeking to gain popularity in this market should not miss this opportunity.   

11th Singles Day: This popular Chinese anti-Valentine Day celebration has become popular among Australians. People celebrate it by buying presents for friends, family and themselves. It is vital for US brands that want to appeal to consumers to partake in it by offering discounts and branded packaging with the message of Singles Day and self-love.   

December 

22nd – 24th Pre-Christmas sales: These days are used to prepare people for Christmas and get more involved in the festivities. Due to the busy logistics schedule, it may be late for online brands to get orders on time for Christmas, but that does not mean they can’t take advantage of these days. For example, offer special deals for after-Christmas delivery and continue to raise brand awareness through Christmas-related marketing campaigns.   

25th Christmas Day: Let’s not forget that summer is on Christmas, so this day is to celebrate with family and loved ones with presents, decorations, barbecues, and outdoor activities. Turkey is famous; some families have lunch and dinner outdoors and travel to the beach or countryside.   

26th Boxing Day sales: This is another popular day for online and offline retailers to profit from, as it is a busy shopping time when consumers expect special deals. Cash on the opportunity by participating in it. 

31st New Year’s Eve: More than a shopping day is a day to celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of a new one. In the big cities of Australia, there are significant events with fireworks and performances. Since summer, many people go on boats, visit the beach, and organize outdoor activities to celebrate.   

January 

1st New Year’s Day: This is a day for people to rest and prepare for what’s coming ahead in the new year. It is an excellent time for brands to convey positive and motivating messages and present their products as a tool for their customers to achieve their goals and aspirations in the new year.   

26th Australia Day is a national holiday celebrated like the Fourth of July. Family and friends gather to celebrate being an Aussie. Some people have barbecues, go to the beach, play cricket in the backyard, and be outdoors, as it is still summer. For brands, this is the time to create brand awareness with a message of congratulations and to have some special offers and bundles.   

 

Japan  

 

November 

23rd Labor Thanksgiving Day: This day is a special one to celebrate workers in all sectors. It is common for children to make cards and small gifts to thank community workers, such as firefighters, doctors, nurses, and police. People often talk about their achievements and objectives. This can be a beneficial day to raise brand awareness by participating in congratulatory marketing campaigns.   

December 

24th Christmas Eve: The Japanese take this day as a second Valentine’s Day. They believe this day is more about celebrating love and happiness, as is shown in American films. Therefore, this day is for couples to spend it together and exchange presents. It is also common in the workplace to give gifts to colleagues. As for families with children, there is a family dinner where KFC chicken has become popular, and children receive gifts from Santa. Brands should be prepared accordingly to profit from this day and communicate the Christmas message localized to market beliefs.   

25th Christmas Day: Most people go to work. Christmas decorations exist in major cities and themed parks, such as Disney, Tokyo, Universal, or Hello Kitty. Some people have dinner together as a family.   

31st New Year’s Eve: The Japanese use this day to clean up their homes as a ritual to start a clean new year, including cleaning their minds and past worries. It is common to have traditional foods surrounded by family and after watching popular Japanese shows at dinner. As far as shops are concerned, they tend to do the same by selling seasonal stock in surprise gift bags, which are very popular. As an online shop, you can hop on this trend.   

 January 

1st New Year’s Day: This day is full of traditions; for example, watching the first sunset, children receive envelopes with money, traditional food, and visit the temple. The New Year is essential for the Japanese, as is the celebration of new beginnings.   

 

 

South Korea 

 

October 

3rd National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol): This is a national public holiday celebrating the creation of the first Korean State, the result of Korea. Many people gather at the Yeouido Han River Park in Seoul to watch large fireworks displays. There are also other fireworks displays across the country. As a foreign brand, it is crucial to participate in this day to connect with your Korean customers through appropriate communication campaigns to stay current with the important Korean holidays.   

December 

24th & 25th Christmas: Christmas Eve and Day are dates in Korea to celebrate with family, friends and lovers. It is not a holiday where people tend to travel to their hometowns but celebrate with happiness and love wherever they live. Some couples take these days to celebrate love, just like Valentine’s Day. Other families eat traditional Korean food, such as bulgogi (marinated beef) and bokkeumbap (fried rice). Although it is not yet a huge deal to exchange gifts, as in other Western countries, it is increasing in Korea. Now, money is the most popular item. As a foreign e-commerce brand, you need to understand the desires and favorite products of your Korean customers to capitalize on this holiday so that you can plan marketing communications and deals accordingly. As an idea, you could start with deals for a couple of gifting.   

31st New Year’s Eve: This is the night Koreans welcome the New Year, following the Gregorian calendar, as Western countries do. From around 11: 00 to 1: 00 a.m., a significant event takes place in Boshingak, Seoul. This event is broadcast on national television and consists of ringing the bell 33 times at midnight. There are fireworks at the Lotte World Tower, Seoul’s tallest building. In addition, people tend to watch the first sunset on Achasan Mountain in Seoul.   

It is indeed a day of celebrations. It is time for brands selling to Korean consumers to catch their attention with related marketing communications campaigns and product bundles to promote the New Year.   

January 

1st New Year’s Day: The government granted a three-day holiday. It starts on January 1st until January 3rd and is celebrated more casually with immediate family or friends. Some families send New Year greeting cards to loved ones. There are also traditional food, gifts, and resolutions. And every Korean, regardless of his birth date, turns one year on this day. Nowadays, it is more of a symbolic collective birthday. There are many ways to celebrate this day. As an e-commerce brand, understanding its meaning can help you connect better with your audience and create brand awareness and potential sales.   

21st – 23rd Seollal (Lunar New Year): Korea has its own Lunar New Year celebration. It lasts three days, the day before the 21st, the 22nd of New Year, and the following day. This is a time to spend with family, and many people visit their hometown. It is also time to pay respect to family members and ancestors. The main day on the 22nd is about giving gifts, wearing the traditional colorful costume called Hanbok, eating traditional food such as Tteokguk (rice cake soup), and playing classic games with the family.  

As a foreign e-commerce brand, it is a holiday to be aware of and take it to connect your brand and products with your Korean consumers and build your sales and market penetration. 

 

Are you ready to make these holidays a success? While you focus on how to best market your products to your customers in the Asia-Pacific region, we can help you get your products to your customers on time and without obstacles. Make the shipping process a pleasant experience for you and your customers. 

As Borderguru, powered by Hermes Logistics, we can offer you our cross-border solution to provide your customers with low shipping rates and customer clearance orders.  

Please do not wait for any more; contact us now!  

For IT-SPA-FR

Spain, Italy & France Holidays 2022: Get Your E-commerce Brand Ready To Succeed

by with No Comment Uncategorized

The most important holiday time is here, and if you run an e-commerce brand, you know that preparing a promotional calendar for marketing and shopping events is essential to achieving sales targets, whether locally or internationally. 

Let’s not forget that the most successful brands plan their participation in promotions and sales events well in advance. For this reason, we share the most popular holidays between October and January in Spain, Italy, and France. You will not miss any chance of succeeding in these markets. 

If you are interested in finding more tips to prepare your business for the holiday season, check out our “6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season.” 

Holidays in France, Italy, and Spain  

October  

31st Halloween: Halloween is celebrated pretty much the same as in the US, with parties, festivals, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treat. The difference is that it is not as big as in the US, but it is a time when brands can use it to promote their products with related Halloween themes and create new discount offers. 

November  

1st November All Saints’ Day: People celebrate this day by going to church and visiting their loved ones who passed away in the cemeteries. This is a time to be surrounded by family.  

25th Black Friday: This US holiday, a particular time to buy products at discounted prices, has become popular in many places worldwide. Consumers in these European countries are used to these holidays. This is an excellent opportunity for US brands to take on these markets.   

28th Cyber Monday: Cyber Monday is a popular time to find discounts and bundles from many online stores. For new brands that want to expand into these countries, it is the perfect time to get on the wagon and create brand awareness to enter any of these markets and start selling. 

December  

24th Christmas Eve is celebrated in these three European countries with a traditional meal surrounded by the closest family members. There is gift giving, and some go to church. US brands must be prepared for this day, as it is the most profitable holiday of the year.   

25th Christmas Day: Children can open their gifts left by Santa and families to visit relatives and friends and relax on this day.   

31st New Year’s Eve: As in other Western countries, this day is celebrated with parties accompanied by their loved ones. It is the start of celebrating the end of the year and the start of a new one. After Christmas, your shop should be ready to promote the New Year through campaigns on how your products contribute to goals, goals, and new beginnings. 

January  

1st New Year’s Day: This day is for people to relax and visit relatives and friends. People also prepare for the new year and what is coming ahead.  

5th Winter sales: Winter sales begin mainly in the first week of January and can last up to eight weeks. This is the perfect time for discounts on winter clothes and selling everything left of winter items. It is also time to prepare to introduce new seasonal products with special prices, bundles, or gifts to start the year on the right foot. 

In addition to the holidays mentioned, do not forget the following, which are specific to each country. And they are essential for brands to boost their sales this holiday season.   

Spain

October 

12th Spain’s National Day: This is a holiday to enjoy time off work with family and friends. There is a national parade in Madrid, where the King participates in raising the Spanish flag while the Prime Minister leads the procession. The Spanish Air Force acrobatics team, the Patrulla Aguila, also displays an aerial display.  

December 

8th Immaculate Conception: This day signals the start of the Christmas season. This is celebrated mainly in Seville at the Plaza del Triunfo, where musicals and people are dressed in traditional clothing. For foreign brands, this is the day they could launch more robust Christmas campaigns to prepare people for their Christmas shopping.   

January 

6th Three Kings’ Day: This is a significant celebration for the Spanish, especially the children, as they receive the most gifts. Their favorite King is Baltasar, who rides a donkey and leaves the facilities. Yes, on the 25th, there are gifts for children, but the primary date for it is this one. It is essential for brands to consider this to have their stores ready for sales and to advertise and communicate properly and timely to not miss out on this opportunity.   

 

Italy 

December  

8th Immaculate Conception (Immacolata): This day is the beginning of the Christmas season for many Italians; time to decorate their house with Christmas trees, lights, etc. And that also signals the start of Christmas shopping. From here, brands can advertise their products for Christmas presents in time and start with special offers for this particular time of year.  

January 

6th The Epiphany: The Italians have two different representations of this day. The first is Befana, a witch who brings sweets to children; in Catholicism, it is the Day of the Three Kings. In the cities, you can see the scenic decorations of the Three Kings and the character Befana, mainly in pastries and candies. There are many activities for families and children around the city. Foreign brands can use this holiday more to raise brand awareness through communication campaigns about the holiday. 

 

France

December

6th Saint Nicolas’ Day: This holiday is an addition to Christmas and is celebrated in some parts of France as the feast of Saint Nicholas. This focuses more on the traditional representation of St. Nicholas than on the older man wearing red and white as we know him. On this day, it is believed he distributes little gifts and sweets. Also, there are parades and Christmas markets.   

January 

6th The Epiphany: In France, people celebrate the three wise men surrounded by family and have a special cake called “galette des Rois” (Kings’ cake). People go to work and school on this day, so they celebrate this day by eating cake. It is also the end of the Christmas season.   

 

Mark your calendars! Remember that these holidays are special for everyone after two years of the pandemic. So, are you ready to take your business to the next level this holiday season? Increase your international sales by expanding into Europe without complexities.   

BorderGuru, as part of the Otto Group, offers you the opportunity to enter the European market by aggregating and accelerating your brand’s growth in the most prominent marketplaces, such as Otto, About You, Zalando, and many more.   

Do not miss this opportunity; contact us now!  

Uk holidays main

UK Top Shopping Holidays 2022: Get Ready for the Busiest Time of the Year

by with No Comment Cross-Border

It is time to get your Shopify store ready for the Holiday Season! Find the most popular UK holidays in 2022 to mark your business calendar. Do not miss the opportunity to succeed in the UK market during these holidays potentially.   

Find further tips to prepare your e-commerce brand for this busy shopping time. Check out our blog “6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season.”   

Halloween – October 31st 

This is a holiday celebrated similarly to in the US. There are costume parties, trick-or-treat, and pumpkin carving. In parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, there are other traditions, such as parades or children dressed in old clothes and walking around the neighborhood (called guising), showing talent, such as singing or reciting a poem to get a treat. In recent years, brands have become famous for special deals and discounts, so it is an excellent opportunity for US online shops to appeal to the UK audience and increase sales.   

 Black Friday – November  25th  

This is one of the US’s most trafficked days of the year, and from 2013 web traffic on this holiday became noticeable in the UK. It has become an important shopping day in this country, as consumers are more aware of it and wait for bargain hunting in online and offline stores. This is beneficial for US brands, as they already have deals for the US market that can be mimicked for the UK.   

Cyber Monday  – November 28th 

Cyber Monday became popular in the UK in 2009 and is now part of the holiday season for many online shops selling to the UK market. It is a popular time to get discounts and bundles from many online brands. 

 

Free Delivery Day – December 7th 

This day is essential for e-commerce brands, as it is the last day for consumers to buy and guarantee they get them on time before Christmas. It was first introduced in the UK in 2012 and is an excellent opportunity for online brands to advertise free shipping on special offers, attracting the attention of the UK market to their brand and having a higher chance of increasing sales.   

Super Saturday – December 24th  

This is a day when most British do their last shopping before Christmas. It’s a hectic day for offline shops, but don’t get discouraged. As an online shop, you can also profit from this day. For example, you create brand awareness campaigns related to Christmas, special deals on your website for people who want gifts for themselves, or an after-Christmas advantage. Either way, do not miss the opportunity to stay connected to your customers.   

On this day, it is also a tradition for children to hang up their stockings and sleep at night to receive presents from Santa in the morning.     

Christmas – December 25th    

This day is to spend with family and loved ones. It is a day to have traditional food at dinner, like roast turkey with potatoes and parsnips, as dessert, Christmas pudding. Also, kids open up their presents from Santa, and adults exchange gifts. Streets are filled with decorations, and the current King Charles III delivers a speech on national TV. After that, TV is filled with Christmas movies and British soaps.  

Boxing Day – December 26th  

This day, British people use it to spend it with family and friends and go shopping. They expect special discounts as the winter sales start. This is the perfect time for them to redeem gift vouchers received during Christmas and find deals on items they could not get before or during Christmas. 

New Year’s Eve – December 31st  

This is a day to celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. The British celebrate it with their loved ones by attending parties, in restaurants, bars, on the street, or the massive famous fireworks and parade event in London. After Christmas, online shops should be ready to promote the New Year with campaigns on how their products contribute to goals, aspirations and new beginnings.       

 

New Year’s Day – January 1st  

For British people, this is a day to relax, visit relatives or friends, wish them a happy New Year, and prepare for the year ahead. To profit from this holiday, online brands must know their target market goals and desires to promote their products accordingly so that their customers feel connected to them, which creates the need to buy. 

 

Are you ready to take on this holiday season? Apart from marketing measures, your shop must be fully prepared to ship orders accurately and on time to your UK customers. We are here to help you achieve that. Contact us now!  

BorderGuru, powered by Hermes Logistics, can offer you our cross-border solution to help you successfully reach your customers in the UK and worldwide. You will provide them with an excellent checkout and shipping experience, with tax and duty calculations and low shipping costs at checkout.      

summer santa

South America Holidays 2022: Mark Your Calendar & Get Ready for the Busiest Time of the Year

by with No Comment Uncategorized

The holiday season is the busiest shopping time of the year, and e-commerce US brands interested in the South American market can use this time to boost sales and brand awareness.   

In South America, countries such as Brazil, Chile and Argentina during the holiday season in spring from September to summer from December, which is different from the northern atmosphere. Please take note of this, as the products offered this time are other due to the southern atmosphere not being in winter.   

Mark your calendars for the critical retail holidays, and do not forget to check our blog, “6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season,” for additional tips to get ready to take on the South American market.   

Holidays in Brazil, Chile and Argentina 

November:  

25th Black Friday: It is a celebration in the USA, which has been well established in these three countries. Now, consumers wait for this day to buy their most desired items at lower prices. They search the web for offers and special bundles. This is great for US brands that want to capitalize on this market.   

28th Cyber Monday: This holiday is the same as in the US. It is only for online shops, and Brazilians, Argentinians and Chileans consumers are well aware of it and expect to find discounts from brands over the Internet.   

December:  

24th Christmas eve: Christmas is the most profitable time for online and offline businesses. As these three countries are located in the south, this is the beginning of summer. It is essential to consider this, as the products sold during this season must be for summertime. On this day, they have their big dinner at night, and the party can last until the following day.  

25th Christmas day: On this day, children open their gifts. It is time to spend time with the family and relax. 

31st New Year’s Eve: This day is to celebrate with loved ones, and most Brazilians, Argentinians and Chileans go to the beach as is summertime. Businesses should start getting ready for the summer sale that comes in January.  

January:  

1st New Year’s Day: A day to relax. Most people stay at home or visit relatives to wish them a happy New Year. 

7th – 13th Summer sale: January sales begin immediately after Dia de Reyes. Here is the time for brands to push sales by promoting summer items and new products that look towards starting a great new year.   

In addition to the holidays mentioned, do not forget the following, which are specific to each country. And they are important for brands to boost their sales this holiday season.   

 

Brazil  

October:  

12th Children’s Day: This is a perfect holiday for businesses. It is the time when they try out the market to see how the end of the year economy will be for the Christmas season. Some schools give the children a week of vacation and usually receive gifts from their parents and other loved ones. Brands should have deals on items from toys to apparel. 

 

Chile 

January 

6th Dia de Reyes Magos (Wisemen’s Day): This day is celebrated by children leaving a letter or shoe to receive gifts, and then families have a special bread called “Rosca de Reyes.” For this holiday, the presents are for children.  

 

Argentina  

October:  

16th Mother’s Day: Even though the date differs from the one in the USA, the celebration is similar. This day is to give gifts to mothers and celebrate them. Brands should focus on promoting products for moms.  

31st to 2nd November Cyber Monday: This day is similar to the USA, but the difference in Argentina is that it extends until around the 2nd of November, as the government looks to promote online shopping. This can be an opportunity for US brands to have more time to push and boost sales in this market.  

January 

6th Día de Los Reyes Magos (Wisemen’s Day): This day is celebrated by children leaving a letter or shoe to receive gifts. Then families usually gather for lunch and in the evening have a special bread called “Rosca de Reyes.” For this holiday, the presents are for children, so they are the primary market to focus on. 

 

Be ready for these holidays in 2022! Mark your team’s calendar and be prepared to offer your international customers in South America the best possible shopping experience. From marketing to logistics, we suggest you be prepared 100%.   

We know that offering an excellent shipping experience can have some difficulties, so we at Borderguru are here to help you achieve it without obstacles. We are a company powered by Hermes Logistics, and with our cross-border solution, you can offer your customers customs-cleared orders by calculating taxes and duties at checkout.   

Let us help you succeed in these holidays! Contact us now and start selling to the South American market.   

mexican holidays

Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Mexico’s Top Shopping 2022 Holidays

by with No Comment Cross-Border

It’s that time of the year! Mark your calendar with the most important e-commerce holidays to increase your sales and customer base in Mexico.   

Due to its proximity to the US, it is a major trade partner, and consumers like to buy products from the US, which now is easier than ever with the growth of cross-border e-commerce.   

So, stay and prepare for the busiest shopping time of the year! … You can also check out our blog “6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season,” to be fully prepared to succeed in these holidays.   

 

October  

31st Halloween: This is celebrated the same as in the USA. There are Halloween parties and trick or treat. Not many national brands have deals during this holiday unless they sell Halloween costumes or decorations, but consumers are aware of US brands shipping to Mexico that do so. Be prepared to offer Halloween-themed bundles and discounts.   

November  

2nd Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead): This day is mainly celebrated with family, and they make an altar for loved ones who have passed away, and some also visit their loved ones’ graves. For foreign brands, if they want to support this holiday, they can post content about it, for example “Feliz dia de los Muertos to all our Mexican customers.”  

18th to 21st Buen fin (Good Weekend): A weekend full of discounts from offline and online stores. This happens every year on the weekend before Thanksgiving (USA). Mexican shoppers expect good deals and discounts from local and international brands that ship to Mexico. You should be ready to have deals and market them through social media ads and Google, as they tend to browse the Internet to find out who has offers during this time.   

28th Cyber Monday: This holiday is the same as in the US. It is only for online shops, and Mexican consumers are aware of it and expect to find discounts from brands over the Internet.   

December 

24th Christmas Eve: In Mexico, this is the day when families gather for the big dinner and have the presents ready for Christmas Day. Some families exchange gifts on this day (like secret Santa). Take this into account for your marketing advertising and communication. 

25th Christmas Day: This day is when everything is close, children open their gifts, and people enjoy being with family.  

31st New Year`s Eve: This is celebrated with family or friends, like in the US. People get ready to ring the bells for the New Year. Some people make twelve wishes while eating twelve green grapes for the New Year. After Christmas, your shop should be ready to promote the New Year with campaigns on how your products contribute to goals, aspirations and new beginnings.   

January:  

1st New Year’s Day: A day to relax. Most people just stay at home or visit relatives to wish a happy New Year.   

6th Dia de los Reyes Magos (Wisemen’s Day): This day is celebrated by children leaving a letter or shoe to receive gifts, and then families have a special bread called “Rosca de Reyes.” For this holiday, the presents are for children, so they are the main focus for brands. However, for brands with a different target market, they can promote special discounts referring to “Dia de Reyes”, as currently Mexican consumers are used to this sales time.   

Rebajas de Invierno (January sales) 7th : January sales begin immediately after Dia de Reyes. Here is the time for brands to push sales by promoting winter items and new products that look towards starting a great new year.   

 

As the holidays approach, make sure you are ready in all areas of your business, from marketing, customer service to shipping, especially when it comes to international shipping, due to high customer expectations and logistical time constraints.   

As Borderguru, powered by Hermes Logistics, we can offer you our cross-border solution that can help you reach your customers in Mexico and around the world successfully. You will be able to provide them with an excellent checkout and shipping experience, with tax and duty calculations and low shipping costs at checkout.   

Make it easy for you and your customers to buy from your e-commerce brand these holidays! Contact us now.   

Holiday gifts central europe

2022 Holidays, gift giving and online sales in Germany, Netherlands and Poland

by with No Comment Uncategorized

The most exciting and popular time of the year is around the corner. Holidays from Halloween to Christmas and New Year are the most profitable for businesses and are celebrated worldwide. For this reason, we share the most popular holidays in Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. Mark these dates in your business calendar so you don’t miss the potential to increase your international sales.   

If you would also like to find out more tips to prepare your business for the holiday season, check out our blog, “6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season.” 

Holidays in Germany, Netherlands, and Poland  

October 

31st Halloween: Halloween is celebrated pretty much as in the US, with parties, festivals, pumpkin carving, and trick or treat. The difference is that it is not as big as in the US, but it is a time when brands can use it to promote their products with related Halloween themes and create new discount offers. 

November  

25th Black Friday: This US holiday, a particular time to buy products at discounted prices, has become popular in many places worldwide. Consumers in these European countries are used to these holidays. This is an excellent opportunity for US brands to take on these markets.   

28th Cyber Monday: Cyber Monday is a popular time to find discounts and bundles from many online stores. For new brands that want to expand into these countries, it is the perfect time to get on the wagon and create brand awareness to enter any of these markets and start selling. 

December   

24th Christmas Eve: This day is celebrated with a traditional dinner with the family and the opening of presents. In Germany, families have traditional meals, for example, potato salad with sausages. Some people celebrate this day by decorating their homes and having ugly sweater parties; others attend church. It is an excellent time for US brands to market bundle products and Christmas-themed items, and they should prepare their online store so that their customers can receive their orders on time.    

25th Christmas Day & 26th Second Christmas / St Stephen’s Day: These days are spent with family and friends, especially the ones you did not meet on Christmas Eve. They are more laid back to continue celebrating and relaxing.   

31st New Year’s Eve: As in other Western countries, this day is celebrated with parties accompanied by their loved ones. It is the start of celebrating the year’s end and the start of a new one. After Christmas, your shop should be ready to promote the New Year with campaigns on how your products contribute to goals, aspirations, and new beginnings.    

January  

1st New Year’s Day: A day to relax. Most people stay at home or visit relatives to wish them a happy New Year.    

 

In addition to the holidays mentioned, do not forget the following, which are specific to each country. And they are essential for brands to boost their sales this holiday season.   

 

 

Germany  

October 

17th September – 3rd October Oktoberfest: A massive holiday for the Germans, where Bavarian culture is celebrated. The main things they do are the big Munich festival, wearing traditional Bavarian clothes, drinking beer, and eating traditional foods such as sausages and pretzels. Foreign brands focus on finding a way to connect their product with tradition and raise brand awareness. This is for brands to stay current and not miss out on the potential this holiday can have on sales.   

3rd German Unity Day: It is a national day on which Germans celebrate the unification of Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. On this day, there are festivals with music and food, such as Independence Day in the US. In marketing, brands tend to create marketing storytelling campaigns around the subject to connect with consumers.   

November  

1st All Saints’ Day: This holiday used to be celebrated mainly regionally in the south and west, but today more parts of Germany celebrate it. This is the celebration of people who have died; families visit the graves of their loved ones with unique flowers and candles.    

January  

25th – 5th February Winter sales: This is a time for brands to prepare, as it is one of the biggest sales seasons for winter clothes, and to introduce new products related to the new year’s goals, such as travel goods, gym clothes, and contemporary fashion styles.   

 

 

Netherlands  

November 

11th Sint-Maarten: This traditional holiday looks like Halloween, as children walk door-to-door singing songs and get candy in return. They also make lanterns and bonfire celebrations and parades in the main cities. This holiday is not as commercial as Halloween. However, you could use it to raise brand awareness by posting on social media and creating product offers.   

December 

5th Sinterklaas: This is a Dutch holiday that focuses primarily on children. Sinterklaas is a white, older man with a long white beard and hair, a red miter, and a red cloak. He rides a white horse and has many helpers, like Santa Claus. This day is celebrated with children leaving a shoe in front of the fireplace the day before, and on the fifth, children sing songs and open their gifts in the evening. Adults organize a fun night full of crafts, presents, and poems.   

Brands should be aware that this is the time for children to receive their presents. It is therefore essential to have everything ready and advertise their products for this holiday, as it is an important time in the Netherlands and an excellent opportunity for brands to enter or grow their sales in this market.   

27th start of Winter Sales: Right after Christmas, winter sales begin; this is a great time to prepare for the New Year and get all the old stock for sale.   

January 

The whole month of Winter Sales: Winter sales continue, and a time to market products related to New Year’s goals and expectations, such as travel, health and fitness, and a new look.  

  

 

Poland  

November 

1st All Saints’ Day: This day to remember the relatives who died. On this day, Poles gather in cemeteries and take flowers and candles to their loved one’s graves. This is a holiday spent with family, remembering stories of the ones who have left this earth.   

11th Independence Day: This day is celebrated like the Fourth of July in the US, with concerts, parades, fireworks, and parties. During this time, most shops are closed, and it is time for friends and family to enjoy themselves together and celebrate their Polish heritage.   

January 

2nd January till 13th February Winter Sales: Winter sales in Poland last up to February. During this time, brands have discounts and special offers on winter items, and as soon as January ends, it is a great time to prepare for the launch of new products for the New Year.   

 

As the holidays get closer, it is the perfect time for your brand to expand its international footprint and have a higher chance of successfully entering. The holiday season after the pandemic is more special than ever, so it is even more profitable, as consumers look forward to buying unique gifts for their loved ones and themselves.   

Do you want to know how to expand successfully and without hurtles into Europe? We are the answer. BorderGuru, as part of the Otto Group, can offer you a service called Marketplace Partners Solution that provides your business with all the tools your brand needs to enter the most famous European marketplaces, such as Otto, Zalando, About You, Bol and others.    

Contact us now!   

holiday bes option for Canada

Canada Holidays 2022 – Get your Shopify store ready for cross-border

by with No Comment Cross-BorderFashion

With Holidays around the corner, your e-commerce strategy needs to be ready. In our previous blog, “6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season,” you will find additional tips to be 100% prepared for it. This time, we share with you the Special Holidays you need to mark on your calendar for your business to boost sales in Canada, and how to gain additional customers potentially.

Thanksgiving 10th 

In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October, so this year lands on the 10th. Like the American Thanksgiving, this holiday is to spend time with their families. As an e-commerce brand, it is essential to be ready for this memorable holiday, as the weeks before are the busiest shopping days. Take advantage of this by marketing and promoting your products to be grateful to family and friends. 

Halloween 31st   

Similarly, as the celebration in the US, it is a day when children dress up in Halloween costumes and trick or treat around their neighborhood. Others have costume parties and pumpkin carving. People expect some deals on this holiday, mainly if you sell Halloween-related products. If you want to capitalize on this holiday, be prepared with discounts and bundle deals Halloween-themed, and you can also promote by doing content over social media.  

 

 

Black Friday 25th  

This holiday comes from the US every year on the last Friday of November, on November 25th, and has become popular in Canada. Shoppers in this country love the extreme price cuts that US brands are famous for during this time. As a US brand selling to Canada, be ready operational and promotional-wise to fulfill the incredible demand during this holiday.  

Sofa Sunday 27th  

This year’s Sofa Sunday is celebrated on November 27th. It has become a holiday due to the growing use of tablet devices. The idea is that after Thanksgiving (USA) and Black Friday, shoppers recover on Buy Nothing Day (Saturday) and then be ready on Sunday to go online and scroll websites to find online bargains. US brands that ship to Canada should be prepared to use it to grow sales and get new customers.  

Cyber Monday 28th  

This day is the first Monday after Thanksgiving (USA). This day is now used to promote online shopping, and is when people redeem gift vouchers and coupons and look for special discounts and pricing. As November has three special dates that promote shopping and special deals, it is essential not to miss out on any and research each audience to market what is needed according to the target audience.  

 

Green Monday 12th  

This holiday is important for online stores, as it is the second biggest selling time before Christmas after Cyber Monday. eBay created it in 2007 after it realized that from the second Monday of December, there are only ten days for orders to arrive on time for Christmas. Be prepared, as many are waiting for this day (last minute) to purchase the best deals for Christmas gifts.   

Super Saturday 24th  

This day can be seen as more profitable for offline stores, because Christmas is the next day. That does not mean online stores cannot play around with the concept and make good sales. Since customers are unlikely to receive gifts on time for Christmas Day, online brands can focus on people who have not received a gift for themselves and create a campaign with special discounts to promote self-confidence.   

Christmas 25th  

This day is for enjoying with family and give gifting. Most people do not pay attention to anything else, as it’s a special day to celebrate with your loved ones and spend quality time with them. This is not a shopping day, so relax and enjoy. 

Boxing Day 26 – 31 

Boxing day is on the 26th, but it has become a week of special discounts. Many businesses selling to Canadian shoppers offer special discounts and prices. This is the start of winter sales, and it is no longer about buying Christmas gifts, but buying for upcoming year occasions. Also, for things consumers could not buy before or during Christmas and waited for these deals.   

New Year’s Day 1st  

This holiday is for celebrating the New Year with your loved ones, whether with family or friends. After this day, you can promote the New Year for the next two weeks with marketing campaigns such as “New Year wardrobe,” “Gym clothes for your new goals,” and suitcases such as “New Year, new adventures.” It’s about aspirations and goals. Start the year with solid sales by knowing what your target market is interested in, and creating the need and want for them to have your products.  

 

Are you ready to take on the Canadian market? As important as marketing, offering an excellent international shipping experience is also essential; this is your lucky day! We are BorderGuru, a cross-border solution that can help convert your existing traffic into actual customers. We will make it easy for you to ship your products to Canada, so that you only focus on branding and selling your product. 

  

Contact us now! And start to boost your sales this holiday season!   

 

 

Sustainable online selling and shipping - ecommerce

Sustainable eCommerce – Become a Sustainable E-commerce Brand

by with No Comment Cross-Border

Recently, we have heard the word sustainability many times across all sectors. But what is it, and how small-medium e-commerce brands can positively contribute to sustainability? 

Let’s begin by defining “sustainability.” According to the United Nations, Sustainability is fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.   

In business terms, the meaning is to look at the products and services produced and consider their impact on the environment and society. 

In this post, we will explain the main pillars and practices to become a sustainable e-commerce brand and how you can positively impact your business, customer acquisition and customer retention.   

Consumers are now aware of the product’s impact on the environment. As e-commerce sales have increased, as seen in our previous blog, “Cross-Border eCommerce – The key to international growth,” the impact on the environment has become an essential topic for consumers.

In summary, this is the perfect time for small-medium e-commerce brands to start implementing sustainable practices that positively impact the environment while satisfying shoppers.   

What are the three pillars of sustainability? 

Environment: Focuses on biodiversity conservation without hurting economic and social progress, for example, safeguarding energy, reducing waste, reusing paper, and using sustainable transport. 

Economy: This refers to the ability of a company to manage its resources and responsibly generate profits in the long term. For example, create and promote awareness among consumers regarding responsible consumption.   

Society refers to ensuring proper working conditions and fair wages rather than just caring about volume and spending. It is about caring for employees and those in the supply chain and giving back to communities in need.  

Taking these pillars into account, here are four best practices you can implement to become a sustainable e-commerce brand.  

  • Supply chain  

It is essential to know where the raw materials for producing your products come from and how workers are treated. This is the first step to see if you need to make changes and how you can improve to contribute to sustainability.   

For example, if you are a fashion brand, you would check whether the fabrics used are recycled, if the cotton is organic, and about the travel time and energy used to produce. By auditing your supply chain, you can find out what you need to do or change to be more sustainable. 

  • Packaging  

As an e-commerce brand, the packaging is essential to deliver your products in good condition. Sometimes it is almost impossible not to use specific packaging to protect your products as much as possible. Still, there are alternatives that you can use to reduce the impact on the environment and be cost-effective without hurting quality.   

Some ideas:  

    • Use just enough packaging to protect the product, avoid oversized packaging 
    • Use packaging made of recycled materials   
    • Recycle old boxes, paper bags, or paper sheets by shedding them to use as a protective material for packaging 
    • Go paperless with invoices. 
    • Promote and raise awareness of the recycling of packaging materials by finding a new use or giving them back to you or recycling companies. 
  • Shipping  

Here are some ideas on how your company can implement sustainability in shipping your products. 

    • When possible, ship in bulk.   
    • Ask your customers to ensure their chosen address is the right one, and offer delivery alternatives to avoid additional trips and save resources. 
    • Use a cross-border solution such as BorderGuru, part of Hermes, a global logistics champion based in Germany, committed to reducing CO2 emissions and taking sustainability measures such as using electric vans, cargo bikes and renewable energy. 
    • Save money, time and transport resources by offering your customers the opportunity to pay taxes and duties at checkout and have customs-clear orders so their package is delivered to their chosen address without additional costs or trips. You can offer this with BorderGuru’s Shopify cross-border shipping app.   
  • Returns  

Returns for online shops are inevitable because there are various reasons a customer wants to return an item. But here’s what you can do to reduce returns: 

    • Provide clear information about your products, such as exact size information, high-quality photos and photos of different sizes, to avoid customers choosing the wrong size and reduce the likelihood of disappointment when they receive something different from what they expected. 
    • Implement policies to avoid customers ordering the same product in different sizes to reduce the probability of returning unwanted items. 
    • You could offer customers small discounts if they waive their return option. 

Once you have decided what to implement to contribute to sustainability, it is time to communicate this clearly and honestly with your customers. So, here are some tips to help you achieve this.   

  • The homepage  

In this section of your website, make sure that you share the sustainability practices of your brand with your customers in a friendly and exciting way for your target market, especially if you have certifications that increase the credibility of your brand’s sustainability statements and decisions.   

  • Product page   

Here you should share in detail information about your products’ source and production process and show their sustainable part. For example, if you are a clothing brand and use organic cotton, you should share it here.   

  • Checkout   

Be transparent about reducing carbon emissions from customer purchases, for example, by using a carrier like BorderGuru Hermes, which is committed to reducing its environmental impact. Another idea is to add a planet badge to your online store to show your commitment to shipping carbon neutrality to your customers.   

  • About Us page   

It would be best if you highlighted all your brand’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact. For example, if you have a donation or buyback program or program to encourage your customers to recycle non-used products. All this information is a great way to show how much you care about the environment and prioritize the life cycle of your products.   

 

This is the right time for your brand to become more sustainable and sell across borders! Take your US e-commerce brand to the next level and start selling to up to 200 countries using BorderGruru’s cross-border solution. Many potential customers from different countries are waiting for your brand to be available in their countries. Do not miss this opportunity and take advantage of this growing global demand!   

Contact us now and start selling internationally without complexities!
Australia_BorderGuru

Australia: Cross-border selling opportunity for US brands

by with No Comment Cross-BorderFashion

Australia is an important trade partner for the United States. Of the total imports, China is the most significant (29%), followed by the US (11%) and Japan (6.3%). The same applies to cross-border online sales, as shown in the following graph. The US is second with a share of 28%, putting it ahead of the UK and behind China. 

In 2021, it remained similar in terms of the top countries where Australians bought the most online, China with 30.1%, the USA with 22.5% and New Zealand with 4.7%. This means that the US continues to be a strong player in cross-border e-commerce in Australia, allowing US brands to enter the Australian market successfully.  

For this reason, we are discussing different market & economy overviews, digital overviews, e-commerce outlook, and how BorderGuru can help your brand expand into a country full of opportunities for your fashion Shopify store to increase international sales.  

Population & economy overview 

Australia has a population of 26.14 million. The most populous cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The median age is 37.5 years, and the largest age group in percentage is people between 25 and 54 years (41.15%), as can be seen in the image below: 

 

The official language is English, and the currency is the Australian dollar. The exchange rate is approx. 1 USD = 1.38 AUD.   

Regarding the economy, Australia ranks 13th among the largest economies in the world. With a GDP per capita of $51,885 and a Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) of $ 1.31 trillion. Australia’s economy has become stronger after the pandemic, and GDP is expected to grow by 6.6%  by the end of 2022. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that Australia would move up one place to be the 12th largest economy in 2023. 

Digital Overview 

Australia is a very digital market like Canada, as our previous blog, “Canada: Cross-Border Selling Opportunity for US Brands,” shows. Australia has many Internet users. As seen in the image below, 90% of the population, just under 5% of Canada, has access to the Internet. It is also essential to be aware of the percentage of mobile Internet users, as it accounts for more than 50% of the population. Your website must provide a mobile-optimized experience, and the content must be suitable for mobile phones to further capitalize on this market.   

Regarding social media, there were 21.45 million users in January 2022, representing 82.7 percent of the total population; this is many users who can become potential customers for your brand. The following image shows the number of users per social network. With this information and knowing your specific target market, you can get an idea of where it is best to promote your brand to attract Australian consumers and increase your sales.   

According to Statista, in 2021, the most popular online activities of adult Internet users in Australia were e-mail 98%, web browsing 96%, banking 92%, watching videos 90%, access to news 85% and online shopping 85%. This means that shopping is one of the top online activities as e-commerce sales continue to grow. As we will see next, “E-commerce Outlook.” 

E-commerce outlook 

As e-commerce sales are on the rise worldwide, Australia is in the same boat as online sales increased by 15% in 2021. The same year, Australia’s online sales totaled 31 billion US dollars, placing it ahead of Russia and Canada.   

According to Australia Post’s E-commerce Industry Report, online purchase frequency increased by 112% in 2021, from 1.6 million in 2019 to 3.4 million. Over 80% of Australian households made online purchases in the same year.   

In 2021, the top 5 categories purchased through e-commerce (local and foreign brands) were fashion products (72%), groceries (54%), takeaways (54%), beauty (45%) and electronics (43%).   

Not only are Australians buying more online vs offline, but they also buy more from foreign brands. In 2021, cross-border purchases increased more than domestic purchases, 5.32%, compared to 4.07%. And the top categories of cross-border e-commerce were: 

 

                                                

As seen at the beginning of this blog, the US is a strong player in cross-border e-commerce in Australia, after China is one of the countries where Australians buy the most products. This shows that more US brands in the trendy categories will successfully enter this market. 

Here are the top reasons Australians continue to buy online after the pandemic. This information comes from the Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia (IAB). 

  • Convenience – 76% 
  • Free delivery – 50% 
  • Lower prices – 45% 
  • Discounts – 37% 
  • More product options 33% 
  • Fast shipping – 26% 
  • Finding certain products/ brands – 25% 
  • Products only sold online – 25% 
  • Safety (avoid public places) – 20% 
  • Free returns – 13% 
  • Find new brands – 11% 
  • Reviews from other customers – 10% 

It is essential to be aware of these reasons, so you can provide the products and experience that the Australian market wants and expects from online stores. 

How can your brand expand to Australia without hurdles?  

BorderGuru can help your Shopify store to achieve a smooth and successful expansion into Australia by providing you with a full cross-border service, from legal compliance and competitive shipping costs to customs-clear orders. Process all international orders like any other domestic sale without investment or changes in your daily operations. Offer your customers the best online shopping and shipping experience. With BorderGuru, your customers will never have to deal with additional fees at delivery time. 

 Are you ready for the next step of your international expansion? Contact us now and start your global journey with us.   

holiday seasons main1.jpg

6 Tips to Prepare Your E-commerce Store for Holiday Season

by with No Comment Cross-BorderFashion

It’s that time of the year! Can you believe it? Time to prepare for the Holiday Season.

As an e-commerce brand, preparing for one of the best sales times of the year is essential. The holiday season begins with Halloween, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas and the New Year. However, don’t forget other important holidays from other countries, such as Boxing Day or Wisemen Day, and after Christmas sales, such as January sales.

Since many dates are now considered essential holidays for online shops, it can be overwhelming, so brands need to start planning now. Avoid panicking and instead become shoppers’ go-to for gifts.

Consider these six tips for a successful holiday season. Trust us; they will help you stay calm and competitive, and even turn new and current customers into loyal ones.

1- Don’t undervalue the power of sales on other holidays around the world

As important as it is to consider US holidays, which are also celebrated in other countries, such as Christmas and New Year. Other holidays could be regarded as necessary, depending on where your customers are.

For example, suppose your customers are in Mexico or Spain. In that case, it is important to consider Wisemen Day (Dia de Reyes), as it is a memorable holiday where children receive surprise gifts (similar to Santa’s gifts), which your business can capitalize on. Similarly, if your customers are in the UK, Boxing Day is a date to mark as special to increase your revenue.

So don’t forget to research to maximize sales during the holiday season!

2- Prepare for incoming traffic

As the holiday season approaches, consumers start looking for gifts, which translates into increased sales and inventory needs. So, to keep your customers happy, consider the following:

  • Check inventory:

Consider your most sold and popular products and plan to have a higher number of items in stock than you usually do. Collaborate with your marketing and demand planning team to have as much information as possible to help you forecast and make informed decisions rather than guessing.

  • E-commerce fulfillment: 

As sales increase, so does the fulfillment of orders. This means you should be prepared to have sufficient resources, personnel and packaging materials to complete all sales. Remember, it’s essential to keep customers happy. Try to avoid mistakes by planning as much as possible.

Also, do not forget about the after-sale experience. Since many products are bought as gifts, prepared for exchanges and returns in January, the customer experience is the key to re-purchases. Better to be prepared than to lose customers.

  • Website reliability: 

It is common for people to buy at the last minute, and systems can become saturated. To avoid an unpleasant experience for your customers, test your site and ensure your site’s infrastructure is ready for high demand. Remember that page load speed matters for revenue, avoiding cart abandonment.

3- Enhance Customer Experience

This is one of the most important aspects to consider, as it can turn into a purchase or unfinished transaction. From the moment your home page is displayed on the customer’s device, it is the first impression they get from your brand. Make sure your homepage shows what your customers are looking for. This means your bestsellers, discounts, search bar and menu so they can easily navigate through your site. If your site is complex to navigate, you risk users will not find what they need and will look elsewhere.

4- Ensure maximum transparency in the shipping experience

For online brands, the shipping experience is essential, and during the holidays, you can encounter problems that affect the ability to deliver orders on time, which can upset customers. Since delays cannot be avoided this season, you should be ready to communicate this clearly to customers.

Customers also appreciate tracking their orders and getting notifications to be informed. They take this aspect as an excellent customer service experience. As BorderGuru, we can help you provide an excellent shipping experience, as we offer whole track and trace transparency and competitive shipping prices.

You can also try to avoid additional delays with our service, as we calculate all taxes and duties in real-time at checkout and provide your customers with customs-cleared orders. So, you and your customers do not have to worry about extra delays and fees.

5- Optimize your online shop’s marketing

At this time of the year, the more you can advertise your products, the better, as consumers actively seek items to gift and wear at holiday parties. Ultimately, if you do not showcase your products, people will never know about them.

Some of the things you can do to optimize your marketing efforts are:

  • Find out where your target market spends the most online
  • Take the time to prepare the design and copy of your ads
  • Use your social media pages to post organic content
  • Collaborate with influencers who resonate with your target audience

6- Special offers

Special offers are a must during the holiday season, so please do not forget to consider this. As these are special days for many, consumers will appreciate the nice touches on this. This can differentiate you from competitors.

To optimize the results of these special offers, you can create a feeling of urgency by offering them for a limited period, and you can change them as you see fit.

Some ideas for special offers are:

  • Discounted prices
  • Buy one, get one free or at a discounted price
  • Purchase a certain amount, and you get a free gift
  • Gift-themed stickers adding your brand name
  • Include a personalized message depending on the holiday (Halloween, Christmas)
  • Free branded goodies as a thank you

This year’s holiday season is expected to be particularly special for businesses and consumers, as they want to celebrate as closely as before the pandemic. This is the time for your online shop to shine, despite the logistical challenges associated with a busy sales season.

Remember to plan this properly, so that you can achieve positive results. Also, to stay in customers’ minds, so they come back to you and even recommend your brand to others.

BorderGuru can help you successfully reach all your customers around the world. Offer your customers an easy and convenient shipping experience with our cross-border solution. We calculate all taxes and duties in real time and handle them for you. We provide your customers with customs-cleared orders and competitive shipping prices. This gives them less worrying and more time to enjoy their holidays with their special people.

Let us help you succeed in this holiday season! Contact us now and be fully ready to bring happiness to your customers.