Rieva’s TRENDCAST: Selling What Consumers Want

By Rieva Lesonsky –

If you sell retail goods, it’s vital to know the current trends so you can offer customers the latest products. Alibaba.com’s “Must Stock Guide” shares four retail trends culled from Google Trends and Alibaba.com data.

Stocking up on the products consumers want is sure to help you sell more merchandise. And doing it during Alibaba.com’s Super September celebration will help you save more money.

Trend #1: Celebrate Life’s Big Moments
Whether that’s a wedding, an anniversary, a baptism, or Bar Mitzvah, people are gathering again to mark life’s momentous occasions. And they’re looking for the perfect clothing and accessories to mark the big days. And it’s not just clothing. Consumers are searching for the perfect unique gift to help commemorate the moment.

Trend # 2: Dress to Impress
As many Americans head back to work and out for dinner and a movie, they’re ditching their sweats and jammies for “dress-up” clothing. Of course, they’re also looking for trendy accessories like jewelry and bags to add the perfect finishing touch. In fact, the stats show there’s been a 100% year-on-year increase in searches related to jewelry.
But we still want to be comfortable, so you’ll want to carry both fancy and fun clothing and accessories.

Trend #3: Get the Party Started
Many consumers plan to host—and attend parties, so they’re looking for the appropriate attire and decorative holiday items to create a proper party environment.

Trend #4: Spruce Up the Place
Consumers planning to host these parties are looking for ways to improve their homes indoors and out. Searches for backyard improvements are up 100%.

You can read more about the trends in Alibaba.com’s Stock Guide and go to Alibaba.com for special deals and promotions this month.

Rieva Lesonsky “co-powers” Small Biz Daily, and is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company specializing in small businesses and entrepreneurship. Rieva has been meeting with, consulting to and speaking to America’s SMBs for nearly 30 years. Prior to co-founding GrowBiz Media in 2008, she was SVP/Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine.  This article originally appeared on Small Biz Daily, and has been re-posted with permission.