Wednesday, August 9

#1 - 🎄 5 holiday season predictions

📰 TL;DR - This piece has five big predictions for this year’s holiday shopping season extravaganza. First, people won’t be spending much more than usual due to a number of issues. That also coincides with the use of BNPL. The big driver of sales will be discounts, which is backed up by a ton of research I’ve seen. Shoppers are also expected to start deal hunting early, like even before BFCM. Finally, generative AI will play its biggest role yet in product discovery.

💡 Insight - I was recently doing some Black Friday—Cyber Monday research and by all accounts it’s shaping up to be the biggest BFCM yet. Cyber Monday is traditionally the biggest day of the year for e-commerce sales, so your best bet is to plan your best deals for that day, with lesser discounts leading in starting on US Thanksgiving. As well, although BFCM really started in the US, you should know that shoppers in Canada and the UK also come out for the occasion and are happy to cross-border shop. Your BFCM planning should really be starting now — get your SEO in order, plan your marketing, and create a calendar.

➡️ You can read the article here...

#2 -💎 Etsy shops cash in on T. Swift bracelets

📰 TL;DR - Here’s a neat reminder about how paying attention to pop trends can really pay off. It’s been a huge trend to make, wear, and share beaded friendship bracelets at Taylor Swift’s eras tour. One Etsy seller in this piece had some left over and put them in her shop and bam, not long later, she had $16,000 in sales. They’re only $15 for a 5 pack, so that’s a lot of sales. It’s allowed her to make her Etsy store a full-time gig.

💡 Insight - Between this example and the craze over pink Barbie-adjacent products, it just shows how getting in on trends can be a huge win. Obviously, a handmade Etsy shop owner has more flexibility in creating new products, but with enough advanced planning, anyone can hop on a trend. Even if you’re not prepared to create new goods, think about how you can use these trends in your marketing, for example. Could you pull off an Instagram post that incorporates friendship bracelets? Get creative!

➡️ You can read the post here...

📣 If you want to reach our audience of 10,000+ DTC store owners, tap here 

#3 - 🚨 Prime Day 2 is coming

📰 TL;DR - I know, we just had Prime Day, right? Well, the next one is already coming up. According to this report, Amazon is planning a promotion called Prime Big Deal Days for October. They did the same last year with a 48-hour event in October 2022. From what we know, it won’t be as big as the summer version, but it does seem to an attempt to get ahead of BFCM and start the holiday season early. Numerator said October brought smaller orders and lower-priced items getting snatched compared to summer Prime Day last year.

💡 Insight - Given that this Prime event isn’t poised to be as big as the one in July, I wouldn’t drive yourself crazy with planning for it. Perhaps offer up some lower-priced items or accessories for sale, but I’d say it’s best to save your best deals for BFCM. Two major sales in two months is probably too much to take on. Still, a Prime Day event inevitably brings out shoppers, so don’t miss out, just don’t overextend.

➡️ You can read the article here...

#4 - 🛠️ Things worth checking out

🤖 AI - Gan.ai powered a hyperlocal Youtube campaign for Samsung from just one recording of a celebrity to wow millions. Get a FREE demo here.

📦 WHOLESALE - According to this report, apparel brands are seeing the most growth as they shift from DTC and into wholesale.

 📉 PRICING - Online prices are, on the whole, trending down. Read more here.

💃🏽 TIKTOK - TikTok has added its own e-commerce logistics service for Shop sellers in the UK. Read about it here.

 🎯 AMAZON - Amazon has broadened its options for demographic targeting in marketing. Read more here.

#5 - 💸 You don’t need to be Walmart

📰 TL;DR - Here’s a column from Duct Tape Marketing about pricing and the Walmart effect. Walmart’s offering is that it has low prices, full stop. That works for them, but you don’t need to follow suit. Rather, this piece argues, you need to emphasize your value, not your pricing. Having the lowest prices is all well and good until it means stalling your own growth. Getting competitive on price is smart, but it can also be a trap. Don’t fall into it.

💡 Insight - I wanted to include this because I think it’s a good reminder ahead of the BFCM season (and another Prime Day!) and the biggest discounts of the year. Marketing yourself as the lowest price is an option, sure, but you need to make money too! That’s why you always need to be taking opportunities to talk about your value — what your product offers that no one else can. If you’re not the cheapest, but you’re the best-made, offer the most customizations, have the best reviews, etc. etc. that’s a great offer. Keep that in mind as your plan discounts.

➡️ You can read the article here...