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Shoppers are already gearing up for their favorite autumn activities, according to the latest Shopify sales data shared first exclusively with Retail Brew. The e-commerce site’s top-selling items for August include a fall harvest’s worth of home baking supplies, hot drinks, and football-related items.
In anticipation of cooler weather, baking enthusiasts stocked up on equipment. Sales of cookie decoration kits popped 947%. Pastry blenders were up 370%, and food grinders and mills were up 247%. Bread boxes, cooling racks, and muffin and cupcake makers also saw increases. Shoppers were also eager to embrace the autumnal vibes, purchasing candy apples (up 378%) and hot drink makers (up 89%), even as the summer heat dragged on this month.
Football season kicks off: The 2024 NFL season starts on September 5 with a showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, and fans and nonprofessional players alike are getting ready with purchases of kicking tees and holders (438%), stadium seats and cushions (143%), football gloves (25%), and football pants (24%).
Meanwhile, for those who’d rather hit the field during the halftime show, sales of musical equipment such as bassoon stands (228%), recorder cases (183%), string instrument bow cases (182%), and upright basses (139%) spiked.
The start of band season also means the school year is getting underway, but that doesn’t mean back-to-school shopping is over. Katherine Cullen, VP of industry and consumer insights at the National Retail Federation, wrote in a blog post that based on survey data, many parents will still be hunting for items the week classes start.