Did you know that the word September stems from the Latin ‘septum’ which means seven? That’s right: Back in the days of the Roman calendar – when the year started in March – September was the 7th month. Big observances and shopping events in September include the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday, back-to-school shopping and the beginning of the German traditional Oktoberfest. The beginning of fall also brings about some warm and cozy vibes. Let’s take a look at what September has to offer the world of e-commerce and beyond.

Holidays & observances

Yom Kippur: September 25th

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. A time for seeking reconciliation with God and other humans. To honor this holiday, the Jewish community spends a 25-hour period fasting, praying and avoiding labor. Synagogues play a major role on this day as attendees say special prayers, confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness. Above all, Yom Kippur is a day of self-reflection, spiritual renewal and a chance to embark on a new path.

While the purpose of Yom Kippur is not material, but spiritual, there are a few items associated with observing this holiday:

  • prayer books (Machzor)
  • candles and candlesticks
  • clothing: prayer shawl (tallit) & a white robe (kittel)
  • food (to enjoy after the fasting period)

Yom Kippur is celebrated around the world, but predominantly in Israel.

Back-to-school season

In our ‘E-commerce in August’ blog, we talked about how marketers can use this hustle-and-bustle period to help school/college kids and their parents with back-to-school shopping and checklists.

According to a 2023 CardRates.com study, parents and guardians spend their back-to-school budget on clothing (82%), shoes (77%) and school supplies (80%) for their children.

Tech items such as laptops or calculators also make up a big chunk of back-to-school spending. Online retailers are advised to offer flexible “buy now, pay later” and credit card options to help back-to-school shoppers better manage their high-investment purchases.

International Translation Day: September 30th

International Translation Day doesn’t seem like it’s relevant for e-commerce? Think again! After all, website copy, titles, product descriptions and category overview pages need to be translated before they can capture the interest of international visitors and turn them into customers.

This observance is named after St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who’s considered the patron saint of translators and language professionals worldwide.

Multilingualism is also a core value of the United Nations. The UN website states that “[b]y promoting tolerance, multilingualism ensures effective and increased participation of all in the Organization’s work, as well as greater effectiveness, better performance and improved transparency.”

To this day, translators and interpreters help bridge the gaps between languages and cultures, enabling peaceful and clear communication across the globe, despite the rise of AI.

Oktoberfest

Beer. Dirndl. Lederhosen. As soon as you hear the term ‘Oktoberfest’, you’re immediately transported inside a large party tent with loud traditional Bavarian music and the smell of pretzels in the air.

Oktoberfest takes place over a 2-week period spanning September and October. It dates back to October 12th, 1810, to celebrate the wedding of the crown prince of Bavaria (later known as Louis I) and Princess Therese von Sachsen- Hildburghausen. Today, Oktoberfest is a huge tourist destination for party people all over the world, ranging from European countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to international heights, including the US, Asia and even Australia.

Between the beer, in-tent meals, fun fair snacks (gingerbread hearts, of course!), rides and souvenirs, Oktoberfest brings in around 1.25 billion euros per year.

These are some of the products and services that online retailers may want to go big on in the lead-up to Oktoberfest:

  • Merchandise: Traditional Bavarian attire and accessories, such as Edelweiss earrings, for instance.
  • Food and drink deliveries: Believe it or not, but not every German person goes to Oktoberfest – many might enjoy the delicious Oktoberfest Hofbräuhaus beer and other festive treats from the comfort of their own home as they watch the event live on TV.
  • Tickets: Travel agencies and online ticketing platforms help individuals from around the globe plan their Munich trip – and everything that goes along with it!

Sweater weather

If you haven’t heard of Starbucks’s infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte yet – don’t fret: It’ll find you! There’s virtually no escaping pumpkin and spice and everything nice this time of year.

The changing season can have quite an impact on e-commerce. Fall-related fashion (sweaters, jackets, boots, scarves) and home décor items (throw pillows and blankets, fall-themed wreaths and other decorations) are among the most popular purchases in September. With all these cozy and happy thoughts, it’s also important to prepare our immune systems for the upcoming flu season with vitamins, supplements and healthy food options.

Conclusion

Between Yom Kippur, back-to-school shopping, International Translation Day and Oktoberfest, September has quite a lot going on when it comes to e-commerce. The cooler weather is also a great opportunity for retailers to stock fall fashion and cozy home décor as well as immune-boosting vitamins and health foods.



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autor_eurotext_100Author: Eurotext Editorial Team

We explain how internationalization works, provide tips for your translation projects and outline some of the technology and processes used. We also report on current e-commerce developments and cover a range of language-related topics.