August - Worst Retail Month

[MythOfTheWild]

And it's a fact. I opened my shop last year at the end of July, and really struggled with it. Being new, I wasn't going to get many views with only 3 items anyway, but it really bogged me down.
I found out shortly afterwards that August is in fact the worst month for retail all around, on and off Etsy.

I was getting a little miserable lately, because my views have tanked, with no warning, and while I can usually rely on one sale every week or so, it's been 3 weeks since my last one. I was talking to my boyfriend last night and saying "I don't know what's happened, I listed lots of new things today, but got next to no views from them, and I'm not sure how to promote my shop anyway, and it's only going to get worse because it's nearly Aug--" then it hit me right in the face.

It IS August and has been for 3 weeks. If anyone is experiencing abnormally low views or a lack of sales, it's likely because we're falling victim to August. I think I even received an Etsy Success newsletter about the August "down time" and preparing for the holidays, but I was off in the clouds and deleted it.

If your shop isn't doing too well at the moment, I urge you to brush it off and use this time as an opportunity to rephotograph products, create new items, tidy up your listings, stock up for christmas and prepare your schedule - just in case you get lucky and have several sales rolling in every few days.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I disagree.
August is bringing me average monthly sales.
And it has done that for all six years that I've been selling on Etsy
From previous years I know that lots of people even start buying their first Holiday gifts in August.

[Former_Member]

Great advice, Kim. Let's hope for a fabulous September :)

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

I feel that this year has been up and down in general, at least for my shop. I opened up during the holiday season last year and saw a quick surge that I hadn't expected due to holiday gift-purchasing.

But once February hit, I've had a few super slow months that killed my morale. I've learned, like you, to brush those bad months off because that's the nature of retail. Some months are just slower than others. This August I've made very few sales and on top of that, the sales were only about $10-$15 each, so I'm in the same boat as you.

Looking forward to the holiday season though. Fingers crossed. :)

[Former_Member]

Both July and August are slow months. I had 0 sales in July and 1 sale in August. I hope September will be better.

[hooknsaw]

We opened in May of last year, and have been comparing the months to how our shop did the same months of the previous year. Last year August was our slowest month, but this year it is turning out to be a good month. Our views are higher, our hearts have quadrupled, and sales have tripled. The $$ amount is 8 times what we made last year in August.

August is still kind of slow compared to other months, BUT when compared to the previous August...it is doing great!

[Former_Member]

2012 has been a much better year compared to 2011, and I have had sales each month until August. :) Thankfully, I have products in three local shops and have had some sales through those venues so August is not a total bust.

Just as a side note, I find Wednesdays to be my slow days - just find it funny that that one particular day of the week is consistently slow.

Off to create Autumn products to list and begin thinking about the Christmas season - so much to do!

[SweetSambolina]

August has been good for me so far- I'm at 32 sales for the month. (June was 49 & July was 45),

[Former_Member]

This has definitely been my worst month so far, since I opened in january. Sometimes my views are still high but sales are practically non existent!

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

My August sales have been very good - and I've actually made the first of the year official Christmas sales. I've already doubled my sales volume/$ as compared to Aug last year (I also have almost double the items listed now, so probably not too great a surprise).

If you are not getting the views and sales you desire, yes, attribute that partially to the time of year. But also just use it as an indicator of the need to find more ways to better your business and increase your exposure.

[KCbytheNYC]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, Kim. Hopefully, things will pick up soon!

[Former_Member]

I think this has been my best month this year, so far. Maybe that means things are only going to get better? I hope so!

[Former_Member]

August has been one of my best months yet in terms of both views and sales, July was probably my slowest.

[hydeandstitched]

As compared to last month I am doing better on all facets (views / favorites / treasuries) except for sales, I've only sold three this month as opposed to seven last year. While I definitely know that I need to increase exposure I have a feeling that Kim is onto something.

[hydeandstitched]

Also, I was traveling last week and the roads were ridiculous. I'm pretty sure half the east coast was heading out on vacation. I'm pretty sure that may be part of the issue as well ;)

[ColorMyWorldCrochet]

August has been my best month in sales and revenue since I got serious with my shop last September. I attribute it to the tons of time and work I put into my shop. I could see the steady growth over each month. I have also been listing pretty consistently and promoting a fair amount of the time.

[Former_Member]

This has been a pretty slow month for me as well... hoping for a better month in September!

[Former_Member]

I disagree also - August has been my best month since May.

[JewelMeShop]

Kim I agree with you, I haven't had a sale since late July.
I hope things get better next month..

[BethWold]

I had such a good July - for me. I had hoped for two sales(to double June) and got 6 - Sooo excited. I thought I finally had things figured out...... August starts - and I hear crickets! My views and hearts have been decent - but two full weeks without a sale... I guess I hadn't figured things out after all! LOL.... I did finally get my first sale in August last week... So maybe things will start picking up again?

So relieved to hear that I'm not the only one! Back to school and vacations make sense - as my shop really doesn't cater to either. Maybe at least some of the shops that are still doing fine, are getting back to school traffic? Or maybe price points are a factor? Less expensive items are still selling - but the pricier ones aren't? Don't know - just a guess. Maybe I'm grasping at straws!

[LeatherandPebbleShop]

August started of really good but now it is soooooooooooooooo slow :(
I can't wait till things get busy again!

[PIXELGRINphotography]

July & August have been pretty good for me so far, my 2 most profitable months to date. It sucks your shop isn't doing that well right now, but I'm sure things will pick up soon!

[beatroad]

This August has been better for me than last August. I do historically experience a slowdown at this time of year, but it's obvious each shop is unique in how sales stack up.

[spacefem]

Yeah, I'm on pace for August to be a record month. It'd probably already be a record month except I can't keep my stock in my shop, I'm down under 50 listings again, ugh!

So far February was my worst month.

[hydeandstitched]

February has been my best month this year, valentines day purchase no doubt. July was the second best (and only because of a large volume sale).