What’s in demand, and when

Before the cold sets in, people service heating, insulate homes, fit winter tyres and replace car batteries — then emergency repairs spike in cold snaps.

The world’s largest online shopping festival, now stretched over several weeks of pre-sales. Platforms and suppliers are at full stretch through October and November.

China’s biggest holiday: hundreds of millions travel home, gifts and feasts peak — and most factories close for weeks, which matters to anyone importing from China.

Gifts, flowers and meals out for mothers — one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants and florists.

Holidays and good weather: travel, outdoor activities, ice cream, drinks and events rise; some office services slow down.

China’s second-biggest online sale (started by JD.com), with weeks of deals leading to 18 June.

Families buy uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery and devices, and sign up for tutoring, transport and after-school care.

Family reunions and moon-viewing: mooncakes and gift boxes are the big seller, including corporate gifts.

China’s National Day week: record domestic travel and spending, while many factories and offices close or slow down for the week.