A year in

international

ecommerce

Cultural dates that

impact your

business.

We believe that

local knowledge is the key to

engaging international

audiences – no assumptions,

just a real understanding of

local culture from people who

actually live there.

6th January

Three Kings’ Day: Mexico/ Spain / Caribbean

Día de Reyes is the day when children traditionally

receive gifts.

In 2014, the average family budget was 1200 pesos

(around $90 USD) – in Mexico City alone, spending

amounted to 560 million pesos ($41 million USD).

Tradition spread throughout the US and is even

celebrated in Disney resorts with a big parade.

Feb 23rd & Mar 8th

Men’s Day & Women’s

Day – Russia.

The 3rd & 4th biggest

calendar events in

Russia.

Gifts are typically gender

stereotypical. Cigars,

tools & underwear for

men. Cosmetics,

perfume, jewellery for

women.

Yandex data shows

massive spikes in gift

related categories at

these times.

10%

25%

65%

Would you like to browse foreign

goods on Yandex.Market?

No

Yes, language

doesn't matter

Yes but in

Russian only

March 14th

White Day – Korea & Japan

Payback time!

Korean & Japanese men buy

gifts for women in return for

the chocolates they were

bought in the preceding

month.

Last year Koreatime.co.kr

reported spend increasing by

15% on this day.

May10th (2015)

Mothers Day (Global)

Celebrated worldwide

but not always in March –

like the UK.

Rotativo.co.mx reported

in 2014 that between 20

to 30 percent of Mexican

consumers will research

online before heading to

a physical store for gifts.

Meanwhile, visits to

health, beauty, home

and fashion sites can

increase by as much as

20 percent in US and

Mexico.

June

Winter Sales (Australia)

Whereas many Northern

Hemisphere nations have

tent-pole events round which

to structure major winter

sales, it’s important to

remember that many of your

Southern Hemisphere

customers still need cold

weather products.

The Australian e-commerce

market is worth $15.5 billion

annually, and June is

traditionally the local winter

sales period.

.

June – July

Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr

Office hours reduced during the

period and peak ecommerce

activity between 2pm & 3pm –

when people finish work.

Large discounts offered in the

run up to Eid al-Fitr (the breaking

of the fast on the 17th).

Estimated $8.4 billion between

Kuwait, Dubai and Saudi Arabia

– with significant gains in the 10

day before Eid al-Fitr.

Spending on clothing, electrical appliances & non-consumables.

1st to 7th October 2015

National Day Golden Week - China

The second 7 days of national holidays

in the year to commemorate People’s

Republic of China’s National Day.

$156 billion USD spent in retail &

restaurants

73% of consumers associate with

shopping and promotion – compared

to 54% during Spring Festival.

2.5 million LCD TV’s sold

Recreational travel rather than

international family visits

Juwai.com report a key time for

researching foreign property purchase

11th November

Singles Day in China

A celebration day for single

people has become the largest

ecommerce day in the world

In 2014, $9.3bn worth of goods

were sold through China’s

Alibaba Group shopping

platforms alone

278 million orders (200million on

the day itself)

43% through mobile

Build up starts early with some

sites beginning activity as early

as October.

November 11th

Singles Day in China

It also caused chaos with fulfilment!

Sports Direct (Germany) :December 5th & 6th

St. Nikolaus Day (Germany &

Austria) & Sinterklaas (Holland)

Both variations of Saint Nicholas –

celebrated since the 15th Century

with presents for children

Spends typically rise by 47% in this

week (with 50% online - €225

million in 2013)

Growing trends in Holland for

larger ticket items than in

Germany

Concept of Wichtel in German

(Secret Santa) important on these

dates.

John Sellwood

www.obandigital.com

@ObanDigital