Best Time to Sell Shoes: Seasonal Selling Guide

Selling shoes online can be a lucrative venture, but it requires understanding the market's ebbs and flows. Whether you're dealing in common sneakers or high-end designer heels, timing your buys and sales is key to maximizing profits. Here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the seasonal trends and make the most out of your shoe inventory.

Seasonal Trends for Shoe Sales

Shoes tend to sell well year-round, but certain seasons and events can significantly impact demand and pricing. Here's how the year typically looks:

Winter (December - February)

• Peak Selling: December is hot due to Christmas shopping. Expect high demand for both common shoes and luxury items as gifts. Back-to-school shopping in January can also lift sales, especially for athletic shoes.
• Best Sourcing: Post-Christmas clearance sales in January offer excellent sourcing opportunities, with retailers eager to offload unsold holiday stock.
• Prices: Common shoes can fetch $20-40, while designer shoes might sell for $200-500.

Spring (March - May)

• Peak Selling: March and April see a boost from spring cleaning and tax refund season. Buyers often look to refresh wardrobes.
• Best Sourcing: Spring cleaning means more donations to thrift stores; great time to hunt for vintage/rare finds.
• Prices: Athletic shoes, especially for running and outdoor activities, can reach the higher end of $40-80.

Summer (June - August)

• Peak Selling: Back-to-school shopping peaks in July and August, driving demand for athletic and casual shoes.
• Best Sourcing: Garage and estate sales thrive in summer; ideal for finding vintage and rare sneakers.
• Prices: Vintage sneakers might go for $100-300+, while common shoes settle around $15-30.

Autumn (September - November)

• Peak Selling: Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November are excellent for moving high-value items like designer shoes.
• Best Sourcing: Outlets offer substantial discounts to make room for holiday stock.
• Prices: Designer shoes can command $250-600 during this period.

Platform-Specific Timing

Different platforms have unique buyer demographics that influence peak selling times:

• eBay: Broad appeal means shoes are evergreen. However, Black Friday and Christmas see the highest traffic.
• Vinted: Sustainability-minded buyers shop throughout the year, but January sees spikes due to New Year resolutions.
• Depop: Focus on Gen Z means back-to-school and spring are peak times.
• Poshmark: Luxury items move well during October-November, leveraging holiday gift shopping.
• Grailed: Fashion-conscious men shop consistently, but summer sales spike due to seasonal wardrobe changes.
• Vestiaire Collective: Luxury buyers increase around major shopping events like Black Friday.

Day and Time for Listings

From experience, listing shoes in the evenings (8 PM - 11 PM) when people are unwinding tends to garner more views and sales. Monday and Thursday nights are particularly effective, as people often browse online stores to start or end their work week.

Seasonal Listing Advice with ListingGenie

Using tools like ListingGenie can optimize your listings for seasonal buyer intent. Tailor your descriptions and titles to reflect current trends, like highlighting "back-to-school" for August or "gift-ready" in December.

Quarter	Peak Selling Months	Best Sourcing Months	Expected Price Range
Q1	January, February	January	$20-500
Q2	April, May	March	$40-300
Q3	July, August	June	$15-300
Q4	November, December	November	$200-600

FAQs

• When is the best time to buy shoes for reselling?
  January and June are ideal for sourcing due to clearance sales and garage sales, respectively.
• Which platform is best for selling luxury shoes?
  Poshmark and Vestiaire Collective are excellent for luxury items, especially during the holiday season.
• Are there specific days best for listing shoes?
  Yes, Monday and Thursday evenings tend to attract more buyers.
• Is selling shoes seasonal?
  While demand is consistent, selling price peaks during back-to-school, Black Friday, and Christmas.
• How can ListingGenie improve my sales?
  By optimizing listings to match seasonal keywords and buyer intent, boosting visibility.