What’s in demand, and when

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.

The year’s biggest spending period in many countries: gifts, food, parties, decorations and travel, building to 24–25 December.

Vietnam’s biggest holiday: gifts, new clothes, food, flowers and travel peak, and most businesses close for about a week.

Gifts and evenings out for partners: flowers, jewellery, chocolate and restaurant tables peak in the days before 14 February.

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

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.