We thought winter was never going to go away, but it finally has, and with that comes the slower summer months for online sellers.
A question I get every year about this time is, “What sells in the summer time?” While there is no definitive answer to that question, you can be assured people don’t stop buying stuff online; they just buy different stuff than at other times of year. If your inventory sourcing is flexible, paying attention to what the big box stores are selling can give you a lot of clues on what to be looking for and when to have it listed.
Now obviously, if you specialize in clothing and shoes, sleeveless, tank top, and spaghetti strap designs are your best options. For shoe sellers open toed, trendy sandals are all the rage. What if your niche is more eclectic? This can be a challenging time to discover just the right items to put in your store. Toy sellers should have their eyes on water related and outdoor toys. It’s amazing how much a Slip ‘n’ Slide will increase in value from December to June! BBQ equipment and other outdoor entertaining items are on people’s minds. As an antiques and collectibles seller, I am on the lookout for timeless treasures, those things that no matter when you list them someone is going to be interested. This is the time of year to think outside the box. Here are some tips you can use to keep a stock of inventory that sells in the summer:
1. Buy smart so you can use tempting prices on merchandise. An item that may sell for more in the winter months can still result in high profits this way.
2. List items themed around upcoming events and holidays like 4th of July and Back to School.
3. Offer International shipping—it’s winter on the other side of the world!
4. Bundle! People can’t resist thinking they are getting an amazing deal when they are getting several items together.
Let me address bundling as a strategy to increase sales in the summer slow months. Now is a great time to look through your eBay store and find some like items you can put together in a lot to make one of these great bundling deal listings. I can’t tell you how many times I have just searched the term “Huge Lot of” and “Large Lot of” to find some great deals. This can not only generate some extra sales but also clear some older inventory to make way for the fresh items that will be big hits. A bundle can be as few as 3 or 4 items or a bunch more! Make sure you keep it easy to ship for your own ROI (return on investment) of time.
Always remember, there will be a slow down in the summer months you should plan for every year. Track those items that have sold between April and September and be sure and look for more of those when out sourcing to be ready to keep sales up. I had a great spreadsheet designed for me to do just this! (P.S.: use code theDanniApp for a discount). Using a spreadsheet along with Outright you can really prepare for the slower months.
But what I love most about the summer? It means 4th quarter is right around the corner!
This article was originally published by Outright
Danni Ackerman is an eCommerce coach and founder of The Danni App where she’s all about fun and profits. She is an author, speaker and motivator. She hosts a weekly online show called Ask the Danni App . She’s been an eBay seller since 1998 and grew up in the world of antiques and collectibles. You can find her on Twitter as @theDanniApp and through her Facebook group The Danni App.
She is a mom to 4 including two grown daughters and a couple of youngsters still at home who are her shipping supervisors. She makes a lifestyle out of juggling business and family and helps others do the same.
Published: June 13, 2013
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