As Chinese New Year approaches, while domestic celebrations create a festive atmosphere, OZON platform sellers in Russia may face operational challenges during the holiday period. Strategic planning can help maintain store vitality and potentially increase sales during this seasonal transition.
OZON Holiday Mode: Flexible Operation Solution
The platform has introduced a "Holiday Mode" feature specifically addressing Chinese sellers' seasonal needs. Between January 14 and January 31, sellers can freely toggle between "Vacation Mode" or "Working Mode" according to their operational requirements.
This system eliminates mandatory downtime while maintaining order processing capabilities. Even in Vacation Mode, stores continue accepting orders with automatically extended shipping timelines, minimizing impact on late shipment metrics.
Configuring Warehouse Holiday Settings
Merchants can easily adjust their operational status through these steps:
- Navigate to "Logistics" → "Warehouses and Methods" section
- Select the relevant warehouse for editing
- Choose between "Working Mode" or "Vacation Mode" and save changes
Note: The platform defaults to Vacation Mode, with active working dates displayed in blue.
Strategic Approaches for Holiday Operations
Beyond utilizing the holiday mode feature, sellers should consider these operational strategies:
- Pre-holiday order fulfillment: Complete shipments for pre-holiday orders to avoid late delivery penalties and potential order cancellations.
- Logistics optimization: Select OZON shipping methods with minimal holiday disruptions and monitor carrier schedules to ensure timely deliveries.
- Proactive customer communication: Clearly communicate holiday schedules, expected shipping timelines, and delivery estimates to manage buyer expectations.
- Inventory planning: Coordinate with suppliers regarding their holiday availability and maintain adequate stock levels to fulfill orders.
- Domestic shipping coordination: For self-labeled shipments to OZON warehouses, verify courier companies' holiday schedules in advance.
- Product listing optimization: Enhance seasonal product pages with holiday-themed content and promotional messaging to improve conversion rates.
- Customer service continuity: Maintain responsive support channels to address inquiries and resolve issues promptly during the holiday period.
Managing Increased Order Cancellations
The extended holiday period may lead to higher cancellation rates. Mitigation strategies include:
- Displaying clear shipping timeline estimates on product pages
- Regularly updating order status and tracking information
- Offering flexible return policies
- Personalized communication with potential cancellations
Post-Holiday Business Planning
The holiday period presents an opportunity for strategic review and planning. Sellers can analyze past performance metrics, evaluate product performance, assess market trends, and refine operational strategies for the coming year.
Additionally, merchants can utilize this time to familiarize themselves with platform updates and new features, ensuring competitive advantage when regular operations resume.