We’ve already shared some of the biggest holidays from around the world for international gift selling. Chinese New Year, Diwali, Singles Day and Valentine’s Day, along with the more obvious Black Friday and Cyber Monday, are the major holidays that brands and retailers must plan for. But there are some lesser-known regional holidays that offer more specialized gift selling opportunities for retailers in specific markets.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the global holidays you might not know:
Children’s Day
Most popular in China, India, Turkey, U.K., Czech Republic and Portugal, Children’s Day is an international celebration intended to bring nations together to promote the cause of child welfare. Brands and retailers should note that not all regions view the day as a time for gift-giving or shopping and it is observed on different dates in different countries.
The United Nations has observed a holiday known as World Children’s Day on November 20 since 1959, and Canada, the U.K. and New Zealand observe it on this date. Many countries encourage charitable giving to child-related causes on World Children’s Day. In the U.K., for example, UNICEF holds a nationwide donation campaign (led last year by international soccer star David Beckham). However, the U.K. also has a separate holiday called National Children’s Day, held on May 12 that is billed as “a celebration of childhood.”
In China, Children’s Day falls on June 1 and is a massive opportunity for gift selling. In 2017 alone, the holiday generated more than $1 billion in online sales.
In India, Children’s Day is observed on November 14 as a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. Nehru was a strong advocate for the education and welfare of India’s children. India also is a market that celebrates this day through gift-giving.
Depending on the country, Children’s Day is a good opportunity for selling toys, board games and apparel. In India, for example, popular gift ideas include educational toys and games, clothing and family-oriented travel deals.
Eid-al-Fitr
Eid Al-Fitr means “festival of breaking the fast.” It is an official holiday in all Muslim-majority countries and marks an end to the fasting month of Ramadan. Because Ramadan is determined by the Lunar calendar, this holiday varies each year and can fall anywhere from early June to late July. After 30 days of fasting, prayer and reflection, Eid-al-Fitr is marked by three days of feasts, outdoor festivals and the giving of gifts.
Brands and retailers selling into Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Guinea, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia should be prepared to offer customers gift ideas for this popular festival. Popular gift choices for Eid-al-Fitr include new clothing and footwear, as well as a traditional fragrant oil called Oudh. Pashmina shawls are a go-to choice as a gift for women, and a common family gift is a traditional Arabic coffee pot. More recently, modern gift choices have come to include books, spices and specialty foods.
Click Frenzy Day
Australia’s version of Cyber Monday, Click Frenzy Day started in 2012 as a media stunt by online retail trade site Power Retail. The company built a 24-hour flash sale website called “Click Frenzy” as a way to encourage the shopping kickoff to Christmas. It was the first marathon online shopping event in Australia, and the website almost immediately crashed due to high traffic from deal-seeking shoppers. Now, it is held on the third Tuesday of November.
Australian consumers expect Click Frenzy Day to offer deep discounts on such items as electronics, home and beauty products, shoes and apparel and toys. Brands and retailers who participate in Click Frenzy Day should be prepared to offer deep discounts on items – up to 90% of retail price. Also, be ready for high volumes of web traffic to your localized e-commerce site.
Sinterklaas/St. Nicholas Day
You’ve heard of Santa Claus, but do you know Sinterklaas? In Belgium, the Netherlands and Holland, December 6 is the day that Santa Claus, known in Dutch-speaking countries as Sinterklaas, brings gifts to good children. Traditionally, families host Sinterklaas parties on St. Nicholas’ Eve (December 5). Children play treasure hunt games that give clues about where the gifts are hidden. Children follow the clues to find small gifts left by Sinterklaas. Families wait until December 6 to bestow larger “surprise” gifts, also left by Sinterklaas.
Popular Sinterklaas gifts for children include construction toys, chocolates, board and card games and craft supplies. Brands and retailers should be aware that Consumers who celebrate Sinterklass often agree upfront with family members about how much they’ll spend on gifts. The average budget is about 100 Euros.
Brands and retailers should have a strategy for each market that observes these lesser-known holidays. Offering the right mix of items at an attractive price point is key, but more importantly, customers will expect a localized experience as they shop. The global e-commerce experts at Flow have compiled a handy guide that provides tips of for getting the most out of various global gift-selling holidays. Download the guide today and keep it as a handy reference for the future.
