Consider seasonality and celebrations

Seasonality is a key factor to consider when it comes to cross-border eCommerce. If you’re an online retailer selling clothes in various countries around the world, it’s not a simple case of selecting the clothes you want to sell and marketing these in the same way globally. 

There are many things to consider. For example, it may be hot and sunny across Europe, but what is the weather like in Australia? And it may be rainy season in China, but what season is it in the US? 

There is also the matter of religious holidays and celebrations that see heightened eCommerce activity. For some, this may be Christmas - a time when many retailers offer discounts during the build-up to the holiday and just after.

Researching the differences between seasons and celebrations in your chosen regions is vital if you want to succeed internationally.

In India, a busy time for eCommerce companies is Diwali – a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, which takes place between October and November each year.  

In China, Singles Day is particularly important to online shoppers, and many retailers around the world are starting to see the benefits of offering Singles Day deals to their international customers. However, Chinese New Year is a relatively quiet time, with sales before and after the celebration, but generally not during.