The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, with e-commerce playing an increasingly important role in its growth. In fact, Filipinos are the second heaviest internet users in the world, according to The Manila Times. As more citizens gain access to the internet, they will also increasingly turn to online platforms for their shopping needs.
Many businesses in the Philippines should capitalize on the growing trend of online shopping, as timing is everything when it comes to attracting new customers and generating revenue.
However, with so many different types of holidays, it can be hard to keep track of when you should have an online shopping sale to promote your top products. Here’s a list of the best online sales days for businesses in the Philippines to consider.
1. New Year's Day (1 Jan)
New Year's Day is a great time for businesses to offer shopping sales and discounts on their products and services. There are a few reasons why Filipinos may be inclined to buy more products during the New Year. As the New Year is often seen as a time of fresh starts and new beginnings, they may be more likely to splurge on items that they see as being helpful in achieving their goals. New Year's Day is also a national holiday in the Philippines, which means that Filipinos will likely have more time to browse and shop online.
2. Mother’s Day (2nd Sunday of May) & Father’s Day (3rd Sunday of June)
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are special days to celebrate the amazing men and women in our lives who brought us into this world. Businesses can make use of these special days to promote products and services that are relevant to parental figures.
There are countless items that businesses can sell before Mother's Day. Top products to sell online include products and services that would be popular with mothers, like flowers, jewellery, and spa packages. Meanwhile, gifts that are popular for Father's Day include items like electronics and sports equipment.
By offering thoughtful and relevant gifts, business owners can show their appreciation for the dads and mums while also generating valuable sales for their online business.
3. Singles’ Day (11 Nov)
In the Philippines, 11.11, also known as Singles’ Day, is considered one of the best online sales days for businesses. Extremely popular within the Asian region, this sale date originated from China and is a celebration of single people.
This is a great opportunity for businesses to sell products that are typically sold in pairs, such as shoes, earrings, and earpieces. For companies offering services, why not offer travel, or self-care packages? Business owners can also be creative and price their products and services as PH₱11.11, PH₱1,111, or even PH₱11,11.
4. Black Friday (Friday after Thanksgiving), Cyber Monday (Monday after Black Friday) & Boxing Day (26th Dec)
The Christmas holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for businesses in the Philippines as many Filipinos are shopping for holiday gifts for their loved ones. In fact, the festive season here starts as early as September and lasts till the end of December – a period known as the ‘ber months.’
Savvy Filipino shoppers know that some of the best deals online can be found on these two back-to-back shopping holidays. Black Friday takes place on the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving, while Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Black Friday.
Companies should take advantage of this peak shopping period by offering special promotions and discounts on a wide range of items. Those in specific industries can focus on seasonal items that may not be available at other times of the year, such as restaurants selling special Christmas cakes and festive desserts. This greatly helps companies to stand out from the competition.
Another strategy is to offer bundled deals or package discounts on holiday items that complement each other. For example, an electronics store could offer a discount on a game when customers purchase a gaming console.
Check out this guide on how to prepare for Black Friday and the rest of the Christmas holiday season.
