Buying Seasons
Buying seasons refer to specific times of the year when consumers are more likely to make purchases of certain types of products. Understanding buying seasons can be crucial for businesses that want to maximize their sales and profits. Here are a few reasons why buying seasons are important for selling your products:
Increased demand: During buying seasons, there is typically a higher demand for certain types of products. For example, during the holiday season, there is a higher demand for gift items, decorations, and festive foods. By targeting these buying seasons, businesses can take advantage of increased consumer demand and increase sales.
Better inventory management: By understanding buying seasons, businesses can better manage their inventory levels. They can anticipate which products will sell well during specific seasons and adjust their inventory accordingly. This can help to minimize waste and reduce costs.
Laurie Karzen, a retail consultant from Emeryville, California, says retailers typically buy six months or more in advance for their stores. "Buyers attend trade shows in January and February, and then again in the summer," she says. "Retailers are geared up in July for what they need for the second half of the year. By early October, stores are stocked for the holidays."
After the shows in January and February, the buyers have purchased much of their inventory for spring and summer. However, they will continue to shop as their inventory gets low.
Retailers commonly plan one to three seasons ahead while marketing the current season. Buyers review and modify budgets three to four months in advance.
Right now buyers are thinking about spring, Easter, and Mother’s Day. If you make these types of items, add them to your store. If they are already in your online store move them to the top of your first page. Make it easy for the buyers when they are searching for seasonal items.
For IndieMe, create categories for the season. Now you should create a spring, Easter, or Mother’s Day category. If you make holiday products create a holiday category.
Change your showcase image for your IndieMe store to align with the current buying season, This is important because this is the image that shows up in a showcase search.
You want to keep your store fresh and updated all year. Always add new work and let the buyers know your best sellers. This is important information when they are shopping in your store and making decisions on what to order.
When you know the buying seasons then you keep your store in alignment with what the buyers are looking for. Advertise and market your spring items now and let them know you make these products. In the summer start thinking about moving your holiday items to the top of your first page and advertising your holiday products.
Consistently email your buyers and new buyers and keep them in the loop. They will appreciate the heads up and most likely this will bring them to your store.
