Peak Season 2024: The top-selling days in e-commerce

Martin Jezy28 November 202310 min

The peak season in e-commerce is the time of the year when businesses experience the highest increase in online orders and sales. This year is no exception, as there are several important days that are of special significance for your online shop!

We will show you which days they are and on what dates they will take place in 2024. Additionally, we will provide you with practical tips on how to best prepare your logistics for the peak season!

  • When is the Peak Season 2024
    • The Peak Season Calendar 
  • Backgrounds of all major sales events of the Peak Season 2024
  • All info about the Amazon Peak Season 2024
  • Interesting facts and statistics about peak season
  • The 10 best peak season tips for smooth logistics
  • Additional resources to optimize your e-commerce logistics

When is the Peak Season 2024?

The peak season is the prime time for both brick-and-mortar and online retail. It mostly occurs in the fall, starting with Halloween and ending after Christmas.

Discover our new Peak Season Calendar 2024:

Here is an overview of the most important days of the peak season in 2024:

  • Amazon Prime Days - Date varies (July 2024)
    Major shopping event on Amazon
     
  • Back-to-school Season - Late August / Early September 2024
    Significant driver of sales for numerous specialty retailers
     
  • Halloween - October 31, 2024
    The first sales peak of the peak season
     
  • Singles' Day - November 11, 2024
    World's largest shopping event originating from China
     
  • Black Friday - November 29, 2024
    Major peak, with the days before and after being equally strong
    (learn more in our comprehensive Black Friday article)
     
  • Cyber Monday - December 2, 2024
    Almost equally high sales as Black Friday
     
  • St. Nicholas' Day - December 6, 2024
    Many customers use this day for Christmas shopping in German-speaking countries
     
  • Green Monday - December 9, 2024
    Widely known shopping event driven by eBay
     
  • Super Saturday - December 21, 2024
    Important day in the Christmas business, with huge sales
     
  • Monday before Christmas - December 23, 2024
    Traditionally a high-sales day of the peak season
     
  • Just before Christmass - December 24, 2024
    Last-minute Christmas shoppers
     
  • Boxing Day - December 26, 2024
    Post-Christmas peak in English-speaking countries

Where do the promotional days of (online) retail come from?

Most shopping events and promotional days are mostly based on traditional holidays, such as the most well-known gift-giving period, Christmas. Others, like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or Father's Day, have also become strong drivers of sales, fueled and heavily marketed by the industry.

The best example is Black Friday, which has evolved from a day of shopping after Thanksgiving into one of the largest sales events worldwide.

Peak Season E-Commerce Sale

Backgrounds of all major sales events of the Peak Season 2024:

  • Amazon Prime Days - Date varies (July 2024):

The "Prime Day" event often lasts for two days and is an exclusive shopping event for Amazon customers. Although the exact date for 2024 has not been determined yet, it usually takes place in July. Amazon offers significant discounts on a wide range of products during these days, attracting millions of customers to their e-commerce platform.

Online retailers selling on Amazon can also sign up for the Prime Day and significantly increase their average sales!

Amazon Peak Season 2023

  • Back-to-School Season - August/September 2024:

When the new school year begins, parents and students purchase a variety of products such as clothing, school supplies, backpacks, and electronic devices. This is an important peak time for e-commerce, especially in the clothing, stationery, and electronics sectors.

 

  • Halloween - October 31, 2024:

Halloween is not only about costumes and decorations but also about the purchase of candies, party supplies, and spooky accessories. Relevant online retailers offer themed products at discounted prices weeks in advance.

 

  • Singles' Day - November 11, 2024:

Originating from China, Singles' Day has evolved into one of the biggest sales events worldwide, thanks to companies like Alibaba. It was established as a counter-trend to Valentine's Day, encouraging singles to treat themselves. Online retailers worldwide offer massive discounts on this day to boost their sales.

It has become common to extend the peak period of the Singles' Day promotion to "Singles' Days" or "Singles' Week."

  • Black Friday - November 29, 2024:

Black Friday always takes place after the American Thanksgiving holiday and marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Originally popular in the United States, Black Friday has become a global phenomenon. Online retailers offer significant discounts and special deals on this day to attract customers and boost average sales.

Peak Season Shopping

Many companies now extend this marketing event to a "Black Week" or "Black Sale" that lasts for several days or even weeks. What many people don't know is that on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the traditional Thanksgiving holiday, retailers also offer significant discounts.
 

Learn everything about Black Friday and Cyber Monday in our detailed article.

 

  • Cyber Monday - December 2, 2024:

Cyber Monday has the same background as Black Friday and takes place on the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend and Black Friday. Originally conceived as the online counterpart to Black Friday, this day focuses on online deals and bargains.

The two events now seamlessly blend together and offer similar large discounts for the same products. Here, too, many retailers extend the originally one-day peak period to a "Cyber Week."'
 

Find out everything about Cyber Monday and Black Friday in our detailed article.

Peak Season Shopping

  • St. Nicholas' Day - December 6, 2024:

Year after year, St. Nicholas' Day marks the first significant increase in sales during the Christmas season. Many customers in German-speaking countries traditionally use this day for their Christmas shopping, as many retailers start their Christmas promotions on St. Nicholas' Day.

 

  • Green Monday - December 9, 2024:

Green Monday is a promotional day coined by eBay, taking place on the second Monday in December. On this day, Christmas shopping typically reaches one of its peaks. Companies use this day for attractive offers, generating an additional boost in sales on average.

[Translate to UK:] Peak Season Sale

  • Super Saturday - December 21, 2024:

Super Saturday, also known as Panic Saturday, is the last Saturday before christmas and is characterized by frantic last-minute shopping, where customers are inclined to dig deeper into their pockets than usual.

Online retailers also take advantage of this situation and offer special last-minute promotions, including express shipping, to ensure that everything is under the tree in time.

 

  • Monday before Christmas - December 23, 2024:

One of the most important and revenue-generating days of the Christmas season in both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce. During this peak period, many people realize the upcoming holidays and set out to buy gifts in time. 

Most companies entice customers with substantial Christmas discounts.

 

  • Boxing Day - December 26, 2024:

Boxing Day is a public holiday in many English-speaking countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia. On this day, most stores are open and offer numerous special deals online as well to reduce their Christmas inventory. Additionally, consumers use Boxing Day to exchange or redeem their Christmas gifts and vouchers.

All info about the Amazon Peak Season 2024:

The "Amazon Peak Season" is the part of the year during which Amazon, as one of the leading online retailers, achieves its peak sales.

For 2024, here are the relevant dates:

  • Traditionally, Amazon's Peak Season begins in October and lasts until the end of December.

    In 2024, it is expected that the season will start in October and include key sales days such as Black Friday (29 November 2024) and Cyber Monday (2 December 2024). Additionally, the days around Christmas and New Year's are part of Amazon's high-sales period.

 

What makes the Amazon Peak Season special?
 

  1. Increased Customer Demand: During the Peak Season, Amazon experiences a significant increase in customer demand, particularly due to special events like Christmas, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. 

    As the world's largest shopping platform, both Amazon and its sellers benefit from this trend. 

  2. Exclusive Deals and Discounts: During this time, Amazon offers numerous special offers and discounts, specifically aimed at attracting customers and boosting sales.

    The masterstroke: Many of these offers are exclusively reserved for Amazon and Prime members! 
     
  3. Important Phase for Amazon Sellers: The Peak Season plays a crucial role for sellers on Amazon. It provides the opportunity to significantly increase sales and reach new customers. Sellers often plan months in advance to ensure sufficient stock is available.

If you are also represented as a seller on Amazon and want more flexibility and freedom in logistics, write to us.

We offer comprehensive logistics solutions for Amazon shops - fair, transparent, and tailored to your needs.

Interesting facts and statistics about peak season:

Overall e-commerce trade:

  • In the United States, total retail sales during the Christmas season in 2020 reached $790 billion.
     
    • Of which a whopping $209 billion came from the e-commerce sector.
       
  • In Germany, the total online retail turnover in 2022 amounted to €85 billion.
     
    • With approximately €21 billion generated during the Christmas season alone!
       

Peak Season business:

  • 90% of the best-selling days in e-commerce occur during the peak season.
     
  • E-commerce sales in the UK increased by 50% during the peak season in October, November, and December 2021 compared to total sales in September.
     
  • 40% of the total order volume in 2020 came from the fourth quarter, i.e., the peak season.
     
    • In turn, 35% of the total order volume was generated only in November and December
    • 34% of online shoppers in the US stated that they were very likely to shop online on Cyber Monday.
       

Black Friday & Cyber Monday:

Black Friday Sales 2021
  • Since 2020, Cyber Monday has been the most active day in global e-commerce, with nearly four times as many sales as an average day of the year.
      
  • Black Friday is the second most active day in e-commerce.
      
  • October 30, with the big Halloween sale, was the fourth most active day for online commerce
     
    • Interesting fact: Nearly 40% of all Halloween purchases are made online! 
       

Amazon & E-commerce shops:

  • Major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, and Rakuten experienced a 110% increase in sales during Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2021 compared to average days of the year.
     
    • Smaller e-commerce shops also saw a similarly high average increase in sales of 104% during the same period.

The 10 best peak season tips for smooth logistics

Peak Season Logistics

1. Demand analysis and forecasting:

Accurate demand analysis is key to managing your Peak Season 2024. Review your past sales data and trends to create an informed forecast of expected demand. This will allow you to better plan your inventory, staffing resources, and transportation capacity.

If you are a customer of a fulfilment provider like Quivo, be sure to share your forecasts with your logistics company to avoid unexpected bottlenecks or delays!
 

2. Optimize warehouse management:

Efficient warehouse management is crucial to avoid bottlenecks and enable smooth logistics operations. Utilize state-of-the-art logistics software, such as our Connector, to keep track of inventory, streamline processes, manage orders, and obtain real-time stock information.
 

3. Avoid supply chain bottlenecks:

Examine your entire supply chain, identify potential bottlenecks, and develop a plan to mitigate them. Ensure you have sufficient alternatives to bridge any potential failures, especially during the Peak Season when it can be critical.

Also, note that shipping service providers impose Peak Season surcharges in November and December, so shipping packages during this period may cost slightly more than usual.
 

4. Process automation:

Automating logistics processes can significantly improve efficiency. With the logistics software of a fulfilment provider like us, you can automate inventory tracking, order processing, and shipping label generation. This not only saves time but also minimizes errors during peak periods, leading to higher customer satisfaction.

Fulfilment Software

5. Train and support employees:

Train your employees well in advance of the peak season to ensure they are familiar with all processes and not overwhelmed by the flood of orders. If you need additional staff for Peak Season 2024, start looking for them in advance, as it may take some time to find and train seasonal workers.
 

6. Monitoring and real-time tracking:

Monitor your logistics operations in real-time to identify and address potential issues early on. Use technologies like GPS tracking to track the location of deliveries and inform customers about the status of their orders. This creates transparency and enables quick responses to delays or other problems.
 

7. Implement just-in-time (JIT) principles:

During the Peak Season, it may be beneficial to apply the Just-in-Time principle. Order goods from suppliers to arrive shortly before their actual need. This reduces inventory levels and minimizes the risk of excess stock or shortages.

Peak Season Paketversand

8. Outsource your logistics:

When demand increases significantly during Peak Season 2024, you may realize how demanding logistics operations can be. Consider outsourcing at least parts of your logistics to a professional fulfilment company like us, which takes care of your orders in a fully automated manner. 

This frees up resources for you to focus on growing your online shop!

  • Find out if outsourcing logistics makes also financial sense for you in this article.
     

9. Continuous process optimization:

Regardless of whether it's the Peak Season or not, continuous optimization of your logistical processes is crucial.

Regularly analyze key metrics and costs, and try to optimize every step, from efficient warehouse management, packaging methods, communication with employees and customers, picking, to shipping and return processes. See what you can improve, accelerate, or eliminate to make your logistics as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
 

10. Flexibility and preparation:

The Peak Season is often characterized by unforeseen events and changes. Prepare as much as possible and strive to remain flexible and agile.

Have multiple alternative delivery options available in case certain routes are affected, create an emergency plan if stocks unexpectedly run low, and ensure you have an adequate reserve of packaging materials and other resources.

Logistik auslagern

Additional resources to optimize your e-commerce logistics:

The peak season sales won't wait. Prepare yourself as best as possible and learn how you can improve in the future!

Here are more helpful tips from our fulfilment experts on how to optimize both your logistics and online shop for success:
 

 

If you have any questions about the peak season or if you are considering outsourcing your logistics, we are always here to assist you!

Feel free to contact us for more information, without any obligation!

Sources

Title: Statista Market Forecast - E-Commerce
URL: statista.com

Title: E-Commerce Revenue Statistics 2020 - 2021
URL: statista.com

Title: E-commerce Statistics, Trends, and Insights for 2023
URL: theb2bhouse.com

Title: Ecommerce statistics to get you ahead in 2023
URL: dash.app


Pictures:
Logsta / Quivo © 2023
Canva
Pixabay

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