Key retail events
- 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
- Black Friday to Cyber Monday: Retailers celebrate the official start of the US holiday shopping season by offering special promotions and discounts
- Small Business Saturday: Consumers are encouraged to shop small and local during the holiday season
- Giving Tuesday: Holiday season kickoff event; consumers “give back” and donate to an organization/charity
- Green Monday: “Cyber Monday” of December; best online sales day of the month
- Free Shipping Day: Large and small online merchants offer free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve
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
- 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 deadline
- Dec 18: Standard shipping option deadline
- Dec 22: Two-day shipping deadline
- Dec 23: One-day shipping deadline *In select cities*
- Dec 24: Same-day delivery *9:30 am local time in select cities*
- 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*
