Sales are slow on all retail this 2023 according to Forbes and other news report...

[chuamishael]

It may not be just Zazzle sales.
Forbes reports also came from top 3 retailer like Amazon, Walmart and Home Depot. this is due to FED high interest rates push or inflation.  Also people suspect that U.S. might be in recession already or some kind of reset happening accross the globe. 

Zazzle should be aware of this, and might need to look at the market on a larger scale. Because U.S. economy might not be the same as before with all the crazy things that are happening like supporting war in Ukraine, bank collapse, and dollar slowly weakening.

But let's not get all dark and Gloomy, event like this happens usually has some kind of wealth transfer happening between people. I would normally say, pray and Hang in there. 🙏🤗

sooner or later, somebody has to spend in order for the economy to move. 

[Caprice]

Uh-oh.

Consumers move to cost-saving behaviors

Survey data confirm consumer sentiment is shifting toward slower spending in 2023. The findings showed 96% of surveyed consumers intend to adopt cost-saving behaviors over the next six months. Half of the consumers surveyed are highly concerned about their financial situation, with 42% expecting to decrease their spending across all retail categories significantly. The survey revealed that consumers are more likely to switch to a cheaper brand of a particular product or even go without a regularly used one (42% of respondents).

[idraw]

@chuamishael 

Home sales up last month 14%, home prices fell 2%

[JerryLambert]

While our economy still trying to correct itself post-pandemic, rate hikes and inflation are disrupting spending. Power bills have been breaking everyone around here. It's been a single digit winter and the power company hiked rates way up just before winter. People have been handing over a weeks pay just on electricity alone. That and high interest, rent hikes, eggs being $8 a dozen, apocalyptic storms and floods, banks folding and cat food prices are making people less likely to spend money on a customizable dartboard. 

[Susang6]

Inflation does not seem to affect all.  Many people are still spending, it's spring break in the USA for college students and families. All seeking warmer climates.  The travel industry is off because the middle class is not traveling, But do know that "people with money" are not bothered by the inflation. 

Overall Zazzle is a high-priced POD in comparison to other POD I suspect that our clientele is professional and is not overly concerned with inflation and energy bills. (Zazzle is the Neiman Marcus of POD's) 

But we cannot depend on people with money, we need the middle-class shopper...but they are holding onto their money to pay utility bills and they shop and buy sales, and it has to be more than 15 to 30 % off they are shopping 50% off products.  Probably shopping locally to not have to pay shipping costs. 

[Caprice]

I hope Z isn't the Neiman Marcus of PODs - because I call it "Needless Markup". 😝😝

[Susang6]

No Neiman Marcus represents quality and unique product designs, It attracts a decerning clientele.  It is not "needless markup". 

I am guessing you never shopped or worked at Neiman Marcus? 

Yes, I refer to Zazzle as a POD Neiman Marcus because of the high-quality products and unique artwork.  In my opinion, Zazzle is a high-end POD. 

[Brownielocks]

I shop at Neiman Marcus all the time.  They've got great quality. The fabrics on their clothing exceeds a lot of other companies.  They have a lot of variety and options.  They also do sales. I've shopped there for years.  Neiman Marcus represents getting the most for your money to me.

[Susang6]

I agree with you about Neimans and have shopped there since I was in high school.  My mother discovered that Ferragamo shoes were a good fit for me and then I was hooked on all things Neiman Marcus. 

They have a last call where you can buy designer products for less, just like Zazzle has 50% off stationery products our papers are very high quality, and I think we are the leader in comparison to other online POD stores,

Zazzle printing is superb on paper products..also our canvas prints are stunning.  T-shirt quality needs to improve to a pima or Supima cotton. But in comparison to other POD's our shirts do not fall apart in the wash.  Customers have told me that they are impressed with the printing quality of our shirts.  and they shop at other POD's. 

[Brownielocks]

I feel a lot of the lack in sales has to do with all of the disasters.  People have lost homes due to floods, fires and tornadoes. Others have had home damages.  Zazzle products are not a priority when you need money for food, lights, heat, gas, etc.  

[Barbara]

Most of the U.S. is still intact, so it's more likely the economy is the main disaster.

Colorwash's Home

[Brownielocks]

People just aren't happy. And happy folks shop.  There's just too much negativity in our lives be it the economy, disasters, wars, shootings, pandemics, on top of life's problems of health, divorces, deaths, and so on.  I think if Zazzle sold at a loss, some folks still wouldn't shop.  The world is glum.  

[Susang6]

Amid inflation, more middle-class Americans struggle to make ends meet.  Many people still identify with being in the middle class, although that doesn’t mean what it used to. Inflation is largely to blame.  Research indicates that Americans with incomes over $100,000 are flocking to Walmart to save money,  Nearly three-quarters, or 72%, of middle-income families, say their earnings are falling behind the cost of living, up from 68% a year ago, according to a separate report by Primerica   74%, middle-income families said they are unable to save for their future, up from 66% a year ago.  They are living paycheck to paycheck and running up credit cards.

They still shop but they shop sales for must-haves and chances are they don't want to shop online due to shipping costs. 

[ievajen]

yes, the shipping is very expensive, recently a client showed me total that they wanted to purchase cards and shipping  was $186, that's a lot; but then they went for digital download option. Although zazzle got option for subscribers free shipping 

[Susang6]

First-time customers do not always subscribe to the shipping deals because they are not sure if they will repeat customers.

I agree with you shipping costs are high and may scare them off, they may shop at other online stores where they have a free shipping membership, but they won't find unique product designs like Zazzle.

My friend shopped at my store and told me everything was great until she got hit with shipping for each paper product and she changed her mind about the sale.

[igiftcenter]

If you listen to every media outlet description of the economy you will be very confused lol.  For example: every industry is different. In the Oil industry they are raking in record profits.. so this economy is just fine some businesses and not for others.  If you listen to media consistently you'll find lots of conflicting information that will make your head spin if you try to ascertain which news is a more accurate reflection of what's going on in the economy.

Last but not least: not direct at anyone in particular.....
Do not let the word of a slowing economy slow you down. And do not blame your sales on the economy alone. If you take this business seriously and work with a sense of urgency and diversify if some of your product categories are not selling as well as others you may have more control over your success then you realize.  This does not mean that if you create designs that are not desirable you'll be successful... you still need to create products people want and find appealing in a good economy or a bad one. As an example I quickly realized that my thousands of smartphone cases are not going to pay my rent so I had to move into other areas to stay afloat.

I wish you all continued success.

Just for fun: business that started up during a recession
Apple - General Motors - CNN - IBM - Uber - Groupon - Instagram and more
And there are retailers thriving right now... it's not all doom and gloom

[Barbara]

Well, you're certainly a Pollyanna. LOL

Having survived ups and downs (close to 80 years), I recognize gloominess when I see it and where it comes from. Regardless of huge corporations, the everyday person isn't doing so well. We in this household don't bother much with the media, but this doesn't mean we're oblivious. For instance, more people are going back to the old ways of maintaining a household, making things rather than buying them, bartering, and for sure, making do. When you're living on a fixed income as we are, you're fine-tuned to the economy, and it's not good regardless of the Amazons of the world. Some companies thrive in a bad economy (and from governmental lockdowns of the population).

My current sales are in those few areas where people are still likely to spend. For how long is the question.

Colorwash's Home

[igiftcenter]

Pollyana and LOL do not go together? Are  you suggesting I have some kind of blind optimism?
First: I make NO apologies for being optimistic. I was born this way lol. I work hard and take business on this platform very seriously... it's how I make my living. I've been on this platform for over 13 years and I have seen my share of designers having struggles and success and I was one of them. I made very little money doing this for almost 8 months when I first started... I know all about struggles.  I feel for those who are struggling and wish there was something I could to do lift them up and help them succeed. 

I just went to the supermarket yesterday and was shocked but unfortunately getting use to paying almost 200.00 for what seemed like not much.  It's not fun. 

I was simply pointing to the fact that there are business still making huge profits, new businesses are opening every day, and yes many stores are closing every day.   The US retail environment is and always will be a challenge: the average failure rate for a restaurant for example is 70-90%  In general business about 20% of new businesses fail in their first year and 50% fail in the first 5 years. The current unemployment rate is 3.6 % which is considered extremely low... there are people working.

I hope you can get past your struggles and come out smiling on the other end.

[Barbara]

Heck, if you haven't noticed before, I'm always ready to find humor in things. Luckily and so far, this household doesn't have to use the money to pay rent or buy food, but I've spotted those who do. They probably don't want to know about corporate profits.

Regardless, many here have seen a sudden drop in income from Zazzle. My hope is that, maybe next month, sales will pick up again.

Colorwash's Home

[CrazyMermaid]

Very few Zazzlers participate in the Zazzle forum, even fewer discuss earnings. So "many" is open to interpretation. To me, it seems to be the same "few."

[Barbara]

Even if it were just a few struggling, it's unkind to tout success to them, be it for ourselves or that of others.

Colorwash's Home

[igiftcenter]

The success of another Zazzler expressed in these forums is what inspired me to keep going when I was ready to quit after months and months of very little income when I first started here. So I know what you are saying but don't be so quick to assume that someone expressing their success is simply a negative thing... it can also be inspiring.   It gave me hope that success could be achieved at a time when I thought I this might have been just a waste of my time. 

[Barbara]

@igiftcenter: I must admit to having been "triggered" by your mention of the success of big business, which in recent years has sported some voracious behemoths. Your personal success or that of others here on Zazzle is always to be applauded.

In the end, success is highly dependent on a person's intent. Those whose goal is to make money need to pay attention to what sells and how to promote. Others, many of them retired, are looking for the satisfaction of customers liking their designs enough to buy them, so it's more about psychological success.

We see newbies who can't figure out why they aren't selling immediately. Others simply need help and are glad to have received it. Now and then, such a newbie tugs at my heartstrings. I think I made a stew of my disparate reactions (big business, goals, personal needs), and ended up responding to too many things at once. Potatoes, carrots, and beef chunks are all separate entities.

Peace.

Colorwash's Home

[Bert]

Just to make a small observation. You're a Pro Diamond level seller!! I had to look up what that entails. Congrats! Quite the accomplishment. I definitely will try to take a page from your book 😀