Peak Season E-commerce Sales Calendar 2024

With Peak Season just around the corner, your business will have lots to think about – including Christmas delivery and managing seasonal inventory. Use our sales calendar to help you prepare for the rush. Happy selling!

Whilst not as big an event as others in our list, the spookiest day of the year should still be in your sales calendar. More than a third of Halloween sales now take place online¹, meaning e-commerce businesses selling candy, costumes and decorations have a great opportunity to take a slice of the (pumpkin) pie.

Singles’ Day first emerged in China in the 1990s as an unofficial holiday to celebrate those not in a relationship. It has since grown to become the biggest shopping day in the world. Millions of consumers head online looking for bargains, and with Chinese buyers’ fondness for foreign brands, there are many lucrative opportunities for cross-border e-commerce businesses. 

A key priority for your e-commerce sales strategy. This event originated in the US, where the Friday after Thanksgiving traditionally marked the start of the Christmas shopping season. It has since become a global phenomenon, with retailers offering huge deals and discounts to lure bargain hunters in.

Back when home internet was slow, many Americans, “fresh off a Thanksgiving weekend of window shopping”², would use the Monday back at work to jump online and shop. Today, internet speed is not a problem, but the day remains a key sales season event, with many businesses using the opportunity to shift leftover Black Friday stock at further discounts. 

Small Business Saturday has been growing in popularity in the US and UK. The campaign encourages customers to patronize small businesses in their communities – giving them a chance of competing with the ‘Big Players’ for a weekend. For online SMEs, it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase their local roots and drive sales where authenticity, sustainability and community spirit still matter.

Not to be outdone, some last-minute shoppers wait until the Monday to squeeze in their gift buying. Only online retailers offering next-day delivery will be able to cash in here, so be sure to shout about your speedy shipping on your e-commerce website and across your socials to attract them to your store.

With the big day over, and gift shopping done, consumers now start thinking about bargains for themselves. Many e-commerce businesses offer discounts on this day to lure them in. It’s a great opportunity for your business to shift any excess Christmas inventory – just be sure your online store is optimized for mobile, ready for shoppers having a lazy scroll on the sofa during the post-Christmas slump!

For more Peak Season sales tips, check out our dedicated guides. Happy holidays!

Worried about the holiday rush? With a DHL Express Business Account, you'll receive dedicated support to fulfill your shipping commitments over the busy period.