What is January like?

[Former_Member]

Just curious as to what January is usually like here on Etsy? Are sales slow because people are done buying things? Are they here spending money they got for Christmas?

I know someone posted another thread about offering sales but do you usually offer one to get things moving if you're anticipating being a little slow this time of year?

[CozyDawg]

This is my first holiday season. I imagine there is still traffic. Lots of people take time off and have time to shop. So,e might have etsy gift cards to spend.

[Former_Member]

I would imagine that January would be a good time to prepare for St. Valentine's Day.

[TLCLyn]

Most of the items in my shop are cold weather items. Christmas/winter is my target for purchases. I have been on Etsy for a few years now and for me I will get a few purchases in January, but then will decline after that. November/December are my heaviest months.

People will come to spend the Etsy Coupon Dollars people gave to them as Christmas presents. I hope they make their way to your shop(s)....

Best of luck!

[Former_Member]

Take sometime to go through your shop, and see what needs to be pulled and maybe some items that have been waiting to rejoin your shop, see if they will fit in your branding theme, for January, Feb and March.....with the stock of ready to go items, see what fits in your empty slots for that particualar time during those months and post accordingly.....
I am usually slow in January...but depends on your marketing stragedy......Good luck everyone

[DragonStarCreations1]

The beginning of January was still pretty busy for me last year. It slowed down towards the end of the month, but that's consistent with the retail business. I don't run sales. I'll start listing new designs and products in January. I haven't had any time since the beginning of October!

[HeritageDishes]

I find that it has a lot to do with what is listed. I had heard it in another team that once you have 50 items listed your sales skyrocket. While I haven't found that to be quite true, mostly because I struggle to have 50 items listed, it is true that the more variety in your shop the more sales occur. Maybe slow January sales have more to do with the fact that most of us are "picked over" by the time January comes. We're ready for a break so we don't "stock" as quickly as we might.

So, get those dust mitts going and get listing!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

That totally depends on you, your products, your marketing and promoting efforts.
This is my 9th Holidays season on Etsy and I'm usually doing fine in January. I guess lots of people spend the money they got for Christmas or New Year.
And of course life goes on as usual, with birthdays etc.

[MuttsnBones]

I agree with BeaG. My slow time is from Friday till New years lol. Every year...it's dead for me around that time. Everyone is on vacation/family mode and those who are shopping are going into stores for last minute items...it picks up again in January in my shop. Last year wasnt to shabby.

[Former_Member]

No where as good as the past 30 days time period... ...but not dead. :) Everyone is spending those gift cards they got.

[MountainGoth]

I found the beginning pretty busy but it slowed down. I don't really have any Valentines Day stuff, but I think some seller do well with Valentines day.

[BeColorfulFeltArt]

My first january was good and my second a little less. So I hope for a good january this time. I have some Valentines presents in my shop.

[Former_Member]

It all depends. And usually people start ordering my items in the middle of January for the next Holidays; Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter.

[Former_Member]

my first january (2013) had only one sale and this year there was no sale at all (it was actually my first month ever without a sale) so i´m hot having high hopes for the next one and will be grateful for every sale i´ll get.....
but of course that might be different for many other shops....

[ArteOfTheBooke]

I usually have pretty good sales in January, as people spend Christmas cash. My slowest period online is late summer.

[StripesAndChevron]

This is my first January as well...November/December were very busy with Christmas cards, and it's slowed down now. I'm hoping to use January to work on new items, clean up my keywords and tags, etc. :)

[PAPERFLORISTS]

I think it depends on what you are selling. Decembers are slow for me but January is one of my best months.

[apaperaffaire]

It depends on what you sell. I've always done better in January than in December. I sell greeting cards and Valentine cards are a pretty big seller on here. I hope this year is the same! :)

[heartsabustin]

It depends - I've had January sales be as strong as December sales in the past, particularly in my soap shop. I don't know what to expect out of this coming year, though. Etsy seems determined to make sure any small businesses get run into the ground by their high volume reseller shops.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for all the info! You're probably right about it depending on what you sale. Well here's to a productive New Year for all of us :D

[OneFairfaxRoad]

January and February are both strong for me. During December I mostly sell smaller vintage "giftable" items. Once the holidays are over, I find people return to buying vintage housewares and home decor for themselves.

[GirlpowerKnits]

My 1st Jan. - 0 sales

2nd - 10 sales

3rd - 21 sales

Typically for me there's a slowdown, but still some. I'm anxious to see what this year brings as I'm running much stronger. I plan to run a sale through the 15th as well, which I hope helps.

[Mzcarley]

I think for january I might put my shop on vacation and work on stocking up.