To guide partners to a profitable Q4, we’ve created an important dates calendar filled with insider tips, tricks, notable holidays and shipping deadlines
Key shopping days
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Singles’ Day: Largest e-commerce shopping day in the world to celebrate China’s observation of being “single and proud.” Great way to reach Chinese consumers.
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Free Shipping Day: Large and small online merchants offer free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve
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Green Monday: “Cyber Monday” of December; best online sales day of the month
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Giving Tuesday: Holiday season kickoff event; consumers “give back” and donate to an organization/charity
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Small Business Saturday: Consumers are encouraged to shop small and local during the holiday season
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Black Friday to Cyber Monday: Retailers celebrate the official start of the US holiday shopping season by offering special promotions and discounts
Important shipping dates
FedEx:
- Dec 11: Deadline for FedEx SmartPost shipments.
- Dec 15: Deadline for FedEx Ground shipments.
- Dec 18: Deadline for FedEx Home Delivery shipments.
- Dec 19: Deadline for FedEx Express Saver shipments.
- Dec 20: Deadline for FedEx 2-Day and 2-Day A.M. shipments.
- Dec 21: Deadline for FedEx Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight, First Overnight shipments.
- Dec 25: Deadline for all FedEx SameDay shipments.
UPS:
- Dec. 17: Deadline for UPS 3 Day Select shipments (delivery on Dec 21).
- Dec. 20: Deadline for UPS 2nd Day Air shipments (delivery on Dec 24).
- Dec. 21: Deadline for UPS Next Day Air shipments. (delivery on Dec 24). Note that these packages must be processed and labeled for Saturday delivery, which is not available in all ZIP codes.
- Dec. 24: Pickup available for only Air and international Air packages if prearranged by Thursday, Dec. 20.
- Dec. 25: No pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical services available.
USPS:
- Dec. 15: Deadline for Standard Parcel Post (Mail) shipments. Get your Christmas cards off by today.
- Dec. 20: Deadline for First Class Mail and Priority Mail shipments.
- Dec. 23: Deadline for Priority Express Mail shipments.
Amazon:
- Dec. 15: Free shipping option.
- Dec. 18: Standard shipping option (free with Prime).
- Dec. 22: Two-Day Shipping (free with Prime).
- Dec. 23: One-Day Shipping (In select cities. Free with Prime).
- Dec. 24: Same-Day Delivery (9:30 am local time in select cities. Free with Prime).
- Dec. 24: Two-Hour Delivery (9:45 p.m. local time or earlier in select cities. Free and exclusive for Prime members via Prime Now).
