Are you a business that is consistently looking for new platforms to place your products?
The holiday season, especially Christmas, is a time when small businesses can thrive. Shoppers are looking for unique gifts for their friends and family and festive products to decorate their homes, making it the perfect opportunity to boost sales. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, it’s essential to know where to sell your products so that potential customers can find you.
Below we have pulled together a list of popular online and in person avenues your business can use to make sales this festive period.
Online Marketplaces
Etsy and Not on the High Street
Many of our team have suggested Etsy and NOTHS as their go to place for unique products from small businesses. Both are a perfect platform for artisans and crafters. If you sell unique, handcrafted items or vintage goods, your products are bound to find the right audience here during the holiday season. The shoppers on these platforms are often seeking personalised and one-of-a-kind gifts, so we encourage all entrepreneurs to tap into that as much as possible!
eBay
We’ve all heard of eBay – eBay is a trusted platform for both new and used items and is a versatile platform for small businesses to reach a diverse customer base. During Christmas, it’s particularly useful for selling vintage or collectible items that may be in high demand. It’s also an opportunity to clear out surplus inventory or showcase unique holiday finds.
Amazon Marketplace
Who doesn’t love a bit of next day delivery with Prime? Did you know Amazon is one of the largest online marketplaces globally, making it an attractive platform for small businesses. During the Christmas season, customers flock to Amazon for convenient and efficient shopping. Setting up a storefront on Amazon allows your products to reach a vast audience quickly and efficiently.
Vinted
A great place to showcase how great recycling and vintage items can be. Sell the clothes, items and crafts that have more to give and shop for items you won’t find on the high street. Vinted is open to everyone who believes that good clothes should live long. Great for an upcycle businesses to create a sustainable outlet for your items.
Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms have evolved into thriving e-commerce hubs, allowing small businesses to connect directly with their customers.
Instagram has become a powerful platform for e-commerce. Utilising Instagram Shopping, small businesses can create an immersive shopping experience for their followers. Instagram can also be an effective marketing platform, where you can post engaging content and visually appealing posts can help attract more customers.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace provides a local option for selling products. Small businesses can connect with nearby customers, making it an excellent choice for hand-delivered or pick-up items, and perfect for last-minute Christmas shopping.
Pinterest is a visual platform where users might search for gift ideas for their loved ones. In fact, 47% of users view Pinterest as the platform for buying products. You can create eye-catching pins that essentially serve as a window into your store to attract potential customers and drive traffic to your website, or you can sell directly on Pinterest.
Local Markets and Pop-Up Shops
Venturing into local markets and pop-up shops can bring an authentic, in-person dimension to your sales strategy.
Christmas Markets
Participating in local Christmas markets can be a wonderful way to showcase your products to a community which is eager to support small businesses. Shoppers often prioritize unique and handcrafted items for their Christmas gifts, making these markets an ideal place for small businesses. Here’s a list of a few Christmas Markets in London but you can always check out what’s happening in your local areas on Google.
Pop-Up Shops
Pop-up shops offer the flexibility to set up temporary retail spaces in high-traffic areas during the holiday season. This approach allows you to reach customers who prefer in-person shopping, especially during the festive rush, and gives you the ability to provide last-minute gift solutions. We found this great website appear [here] that helps you find a space for your business whether it’s for a month or a year.
Collaborative Selling Platforms
Collaborating with local boutiques and retailers and participating in artisan markets and craft shows can open new avenues for sales.
Local Boutiques and Retailers
Consider collaborating with local boutiques and retailers to showcase your products in their stores. It’s a win-win situation as they can offer unique items to their customers, and you can extend your reach without the overhead costs of maintaining a physical store. The business data at SBREC allows you to look at businesses in specific industries or locations, if you would like to know more please get in touch with sbrec@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Artisan Markets and Craft Shows
Participating in artisan markets and craft shows can help you establish a presence within a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. These events are ideal for showcasing your holiday-themed products to a receptive audience. A quick Google search or a visit to a website such as Local Makers can help you locate somewhere suitable for your products.
Subscription Boxes
Creating a special festive subscription box can be a great way to generate interest and recurring revenue during the festive season. Small businesses can curate unique gift options and deliver them directly to customers’ doors, providing a personalized shopping experience.
Key takeaways
All festive seasons presents a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to thrive; whether it be Christmas, Valentine’s, Easter, Diwali, or Eid (See the most celebrated list here).
By strategically selecting the right sales platforms, both online and offline, you can maximize your visibility and attract customers seeking unique holiday gifts.
Whether you choose to sell on popular online marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy, create a stunning social media portfolio, or explore in-person opportunities like Christmas markets and pop-up shops, the key is to embrace the holiday spirit, be prepared and organised, promote your brand effectively, and provide exceptional products and services to capture the magic of the season! With a dash of creativity and determination, the holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year for your business.
If you’re in doubt, you can always get in touch with us at the Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre where our business advisers are always happy to help you.
*We strive to do our best when supporting small business and their growth. Our business databases can give you information and data that can help you with advertising, market research, company information, and industry factsheets. If you have already taken the plunge, we would love for you to join us at a seminar, our workshops cover digital marketing, business model canvas and planning, demystifying taxes and intellectual property to name a few. Visit our events page or website for more information.
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