Holiday Season

When will it begin this year?

[wifi on the fly]

Well I was thinking sales were starting to recover after the last 2 weeks of October were record setting slow. Still things haven't really picked up at all and I am starting to feel a little bit concerned. Last year by the 6th of November I was exactly 50% more in sales. Is anyone else seeing anything like this. Anyone have any thoughts as to why the huge drop in sales. When should we start seeing a good increase from holiday sales. Hopefully this isn't a sign of the shopping season to come.

[FalseDawn]

It'd be interesting to know if everyone who is bemoaning the lack of sales has been keeping a close eye on the number of direct competitors in their field - maybe an inverse proportional relationship exists?
Also, what about competitors' pricing strategy and their marketing? I think it's pretty hard to stay competitive in the current ecommerce landscape - you always have to stay one step ahead of your (increasing number of) competitors.

[fiu88]

wifi..last year the election being finally done had a huge impact ( +) on sales....
This year seems to be a another story....we finished October with a + 60% in sales...not bad, considering August and September were double prev. year/// I trust Nov. will pick up nicely and December may be our best month of the year...

[otnot]

I'm already getting Christmas orders. It started last Friday and seems to be growing this weekend.

[jecasc]

The last two weeks in October were also extremly slow for me. I always closely monitor my competitors and since nothing has changed I think the reason where school vacations last week here. However it seems to get better, sales were again increasing today.

I have experienced such lows many times before. And they always turn out for the good for me. Because everytime that happens and I'm starting to get concerned I look how I can improve my website. And when things start to get going again I am making more sales than before.

[Joop]

i thought the school half term was the week before last. do different areas have different half terms or do some schools have two weeks?

[jecasc]

Depends on where you are located. Different countries different vacations.

[Joop]

i thought it was only the uk who did half term?

[jecasc]

I don't know what it's called. Here in Germany it is called "autumn holidays". Then come "christmas holidays", then "winter holidays", "easter holidays", "pentecost holidays" and finally "summer holidays". And in between are several public holidays were schools are closed.

[fiu88]

anxiously awaiting the start...what will be the trigger?
usually the nas and the dow on hard updays are the trigger...lets see when it happens...oil is low, no major catastrophe's to speak of...should be any day now....