Did you know that Valentine’s day was first observed in the 6th Century without gifts? Now Valentine’s day has become one of the most lucrative shopping seasons worldwide. Statics covering over 30 countries shows that Valentine's day spending in 2021 was over $200 billion, with most global spending coming from Hong Kong. So the question is; how can you, as an eCommerce developer, take advantage of Valentine's day? And what are the best eCommerce strategies for Valentine's day?

Asides from Christmas spending, Valentine's day is the only other high-income generating holiday for eCommerce businesses. In the United States alone, consumers spend an average of $175 per person for Valentine's day shopping, with a third of the shopping taking place online.

Valentine’s day often boosts the eCommerce industry by an average of 10% yearly. The two weeks leading up to February 14th tend to have the highest sales than any other week/day in February. The average spending balance for Valentine's day depends on how long a couple has been together.

Valentine’s Day Trend

A lending tree survey shows that couples who have been together for less than two years often spend close to $200; couples who have been together for more than two years spend closer to the $175 mark during this period. Businesses looking to maximize sales for this day should decide the best eCommerce strategies according to Valentine's day trends for this year.

Valentine's day in the middle of a global pandemic (2020) was surprisingly the most successful one in the eCommerce industry. The least purchased amount per person was $196 and, this amount generated $6 billion in online sales alone. The Valentine's day trends for 2020 and 2021 will possibly shape 2022 as well. In 2020, spending was increased because numerous consumers wanted their loved ones to feel together even though the lockdown kept many apart. In 2021, consumers were trying to gain footing after the effects of the pandemic, which is why spending dropped.

In 2022, since doors are open and travel is not as restricted as the preceding years, you can expect that consumer spending will increase as this will be the first time consumers can freely spend the day with their loved ones since the pandemic. Valentine's day spending will center around heart-shaped gifts, chocolates, jewelry, and package deals this year.

While Valentine's day is a day centered around couples, you can also expect single consumers to celebrate themselves as well. One of the best eCommerce strategies you can employ for this day is by focusing on a particular audience and creating content relevant to them.

Best eCommerce Practices to Drive Sales During Valentine

1. Offer a Limited Edition Product and Sales: Consumers love novelty items and good bargains. One of the best marketing strategies for this holiday is by selling a new limited product that consumers can only buy once in a lifetime or at least for a few weeks before Valentine's day. You can also offer discount sales on select items either on Valentine's day or a week before.

2. Run Valentine’s Day Sale: There are more last-minute Valentine's day shoppers than you think. The best marketing strategy to take advantage of the influx of last-minute shoppers is by running Valentine's day sale. The sale can be site-wide or on a selection of products.

3. Create Valentine-themed Content: One of the best ways to take advantage of Valentine's day in your marketing campaign is by creating Valentine-themed content. Find a way to link the products you sell to the holiday. This can either be a blog post, a post on social media, or an advertisement in your newsletter. As a business, you don't have to promote Valentine-themed content directly so long as you find a way to tie it into your advertising campaign. Marketing strategies, in this case, do not have to be sales-oriented but focus on increasing brand awareness and website visitors.

3. Redesigning Your Website with a Valentine-themed Look: Some eCommerce products can be hard to sell in line with the holiday, but there is hope. For eCommerce businesses that sell products like furniture, you can address your customers by redesigning your website for the weeks leading up to Valentine's day. The redesign can be simple with hearts or a new color scheme, or it can be a complete website overhaul.

4. Promote for Mobile Shoppers: 79% of smartphone owners have used their phones to purchase a product online. This statistic shows the importance of a mobile shopping experience. Optimizing and promoting your Valentine content on your website for mobile shoppers enables you to take advantage of a broader market. Mobile user optimization also allows you to grab hold of last-minute buyers.

5. Activities, Promotions, And Giveaways: Activities, promotions, and giveaways are an excellent way to get your audience involved in the holiday. Not everyone who encounters your content will engage, but promotions and giveaways encourage participation. Social media is one of the best ways to spread the word about a promotion. Utilizing Facebook or Instagram for giveaways increases brand awareness and page visits.

6. Run Targeted Ads: We all know that Valentine's day marketing focuses on couples, and while you cannot, exactly, run an ad directed at couples worldwide, you can run a targeted ad on other things. For Valentine's day, you can select your ad audience as people who have searched keywords like "love," "gift for him," "gift for her," "couples," "heart," and related searches to ensure that your content is reaching those interested in Valentine's day.

7. Offer Anonymous Gift Delivery: A thrilling aspect of Valentine's day is receiving a gift from a "secret admirer." As a business owner, one of the best eCommerce strategies is to tap into the secret admirer market by offering an anonymous gift delivery. People who want to give anonymous gifts to their loved ones can take advantage of this. The secret admirer package will draw in consumers other than your regular clientele.

Final Thoughts

Valentine's day might be a day for lovers, but if you use any of these best eCommerce strategies for your business, it might be pegged a day for eCommerce. The income generated in February often rivals' sales that some companies make in years. Valentine's day can be lucrative for you and your brand if you have the right marketing strategy in play.

AllValue is an eCommerce software tool that can input the right strategies into your marketing plan and execute the plans flawlessly. AllValue is home to one of the best third-party integrating apps that allows for seamless product promotion on social media. AllValue also creates and schedules email/ newsletter to aid email promotion for Valentine's day. Tons of eCommerce businesses cash in big on Valentine's day; become one of them when you sign up for AllValue.