Wall Art: The Quiet Giant of High Season Profits

High season is here, and while apparel might grab the spotlight, a hidden gem in your product lineup could dramatically boost your bottom line: wall art decor. Believe it or not, this often-overlooked category is a profit powerhouse, with lower return rates, higher margins, and a universal fit that eliminates headaches about correct sizing.?

In this newsletter, we'll uncover why wall art should be the cornerstone of your high-season strategy for 2024 and provide actionable tips to help you maximize your sales during this peak period.?

The High Season Advantage?

High season is synonymous with opportunity. It's the time of year when consumer spending is at its peak, and the potential for increased sales is undeniable. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, core retail sales during the 2023 holiday season grew 3.8% over 2022 to a record $964.4 billion. To truly capitalize on this golden window, it's essential to optimize your product mix.??

While apparel often takes center stage, wall art is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. The apparel-centric mindset is deeply ingrained in the e-commerce world, but it’s time to challenge the status quo. Wall art decor is the unsung hero of your product lineup, offering a wealth of advantages that can significantly impact your bottom line.?

Canvas vs. T-Shirts: Why Wall Art Wins Big?

Making strategic product choices in the competitive e-commerce world is crucial for maximizing profits, especially during the high season. While apparel often dominates the market, wall art presents an untapped opportunity with clear advantages that can elevate your business. When comparing canvas prints to t-shirts, the advantages of wall art become even more apparent:?

Higher Profit Margins: Compared to apparel, wall art boasts substantial profit margins. The global home decor market was valued at $616.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $838.6 billion by 2027 Allied Market Research . According to industry trends, the gross profit margin for wall art can be as high as 70% or more, which is often significantly higher than the typical 30-50% margin seen in apparel.

Lower Return Rates: Say goodbye to the hassle of returns! Unlike apparel, wall art rarely gets sent back. A study by the National Retail Federation found that the return rate for home decor items is significantly lower than that for apparel, with home decor returns averaging around 5% compared to apparel's 20%. Apparel returns are often driven by fit issues, color discrepancies, or fabric feel. Wall art, however, is less subjective and more straightforward. Customers are generally satisfied with their purchases and less likely to initiate a return.

Lower Production Costs: Wall art typically has a lower cost of goods sold (COGS) due to simpler materials like canvas, paper, or digital printing methods. With lower production costs and overheads, you enjoy a healthier return on your investment. In contrast, apparel production often involves complex sizing variations and higher material costs, which can eat into profit margins. Wall art, on the other hand, offers a straightforward production process that maximizes profitability.?

For example, the average cost to produce a standard piece of canvas can range from $10 to $50, depending on the size and materials, while the average selling price can be $100 to $300. According to industry estimates, this often results in an average of 70% gross margin.

Best Personal Gift: Canvas makes for a perfect gift. Unlike t-shirts, where incorrect sizing can lead to disappointment and returns, wall art decor fits any space and style, ensuring that your customers will never be offended by the wrong size. This universality makes it an ideal choice for gifts, particularly during the high season when gift-giving is at its peak. Imagine the frustration of receiving a T-shirt that doesn’t fit versus the delight of a beautifully crafted piece of framed canvas that adds charm to any home. Wall art eliminates guesswork, making it a reliable and cherished gift option.?

Universal Fit: Sizing issues are a thing of the past with wall art. While wall art products come in various size options, it’s significantly easier to fit a piece to a wall than to an individual. Wall art’s universal appeal means you only need to focus on the design and quality. Plus, it’s versatile—whether it’s a large canvas for a living room or a small framed print for an office, wall art seamlessly integrates into any environment.?

Simplicity in Customization: Wall art allows for easy customization with minimal additional cost. Offering personalized or limited-edition prints can significantly increase the product's perceived value, allowing for higher pricing and better margins.

Growing Market Demand: Global Market Insights Inc. projects that the wall decor market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% through 2028, driven by increasing urbanization and rising consumer demand for home aesthetics. This steady growth reflects the increasing consumer preference for personalized and aesthetic home decor, driving consistent demand for wall art.

It's time to give wall art the attention it deserves, don't you think??

Tips for Maximizing Wall Art Sales?

Now that you're convinced of wall art's potential, let's explore?practical tips for making sales. By following these tips and tapping into the power of wall art, you'll be well on your way to a successful high season.?

Product Selection?

• Identify Your Niche: Focus on a specific style, theme, or target audience to create a strong brand identity and appeal to a dedicated customer base.

• Know Your Audience: Understand your customer's tastes and preferences to curate a collection that resonates.?

• Diversity is Key: Offer a variety of design styles, from abstract to photography, to cater to different tastes.?

• Quality Service: Partner with a reliable fulfillment partner to ensure high-quality fulfillment and product diversity to meet customer expectations.?

• Size and Format Variety: Offer a range of sizes and formats (posters, framed prints, canvases, metal and acrylic prints, etc.) to accommodate different spaces and budgets.?

Marketing Strategies?

• Showcase Your Art: Utilize high-quality product images that highlight the details and impact of your wall art.?

• Tell a Story: Each piece has a story. Share the inspiration behind your designs to connect with customers on an emotional level.?

• Leverage Social Media: Create visually appealing content to showcase your wall art on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.?

• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with home decor influencers to reach a wider audience.?

• Trend Analysis: Stay updated on interior design trends to offer fresh and appealing products. (Find tips on trend research in our previous newsletter!)

• Price Point Strategy: Determine your target market and adjust pricing accordingly to offer competitive options.?

Customer Experience??

• Clear Product Descriptions: Provide detailed information about materials, dimensions, and care instructions.?

• Easy Returns: Even though they're rare, offer a hassle-free return policy to build trust.??

• Prompt Shipping: Ensure your fulfillment partner prioritizes timely order processing and shipping to exceed customer expectations.?

Additional Tips?

• Experiment with Limited Edition Prints: Offer limited-edition wall art pieces during the high-season period to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity.?

• Customization Options: Allow customers to personalize their wall art decor with custom text or images. It is a wonderful chance to position tailored products as unique gifts for Christmas time.?

• Bundle and Cross-Sell: Combine wall art products with framed alternatives or other home decor accessories.?

• Track Your Performance: Use analytic tools to monitor the performance of your wall art products and make data-driven decisions.?

• Customer Feedback: Encourage customers to leave reviews and use their feedback to improve your offerings.?

Remember! During the high season, everyone is looking for that perfect gift! The key to maximizing wall art sales is to showcase its unique advantages and create a compelling customer experience.??

??Tip of the Month: Time is of the essence this holiday season. With just 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, every moment counts. Get a head start on the holiday rush by launching marketing campaigns early and optimizing your online presence.

merchOne's Support and Expertise for High Season?

With 18 years of experience behind us, merchOne is an expert in print-on-demand wall art product fulfillment. We’ve mastered the process from start to finish, and we’re here to help you succeed.?With production locations in Europe and Miami and Phoenix in the USA, we ensure faster fulfillment times and efficient international shipping.?With us, your customer orders are ready to ship in an average of 48 hours and even 24 hours during the peak season for the wall art product category.?

We manage every step of the supply chain, minimizing disruptions and guaranteeing timely deliveries, even during the busiest seasons. This control allows us to handle high demand with precision and reliability.? Due to our industry-leading cut-off dates, you enjoy 2-3 more days for product sales than other companies. This allows you to profit more and reinvest in your marketing activities during the high season to expand your campaigns and significantly increase your reach.?

With us appeal to environmentally conscious customers. Our commitment to eco-conscious practices is shown in our production, as we use FSC-certified materials for paper-based products, OEKO-TEX-certified materials, and GOTS Ecocert printing colors. We also support responsible forestry and own our forest in Latvia, where all our wood-based products are sourced from.??

At merchOne, we use advanced AI technologies to continuously increase our efficiency. With automated fulfillment and by integrating AI tools into the inventory management process, we ensure accurate demand forecasting, optimal stock levels, and seamless operations, providing unmatched support to our B2B partners.?

So, What Are You Waiting For??

The high season is already here. Ready to add wall art to your product lineup or expand your existing offerings? We're here to support you every step of the way. Contact us to learn more about how merchOne can help you maximize your profits during the peak sales season.?

Remember, high season is a limited-time opportunity. Don't miss out on this chance. Embrace the potential of wall art, and let us be the partner that drives your success.?

Product Updates

We're thrilled about upcoming additions to our product line for our sellers!

Christmas Collection?

Our festive Christmas collection is just around the corner! Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with our soon-to-be-available Christmas ornaments. Featuring holiday-themed designs perfect for gift-giving, these items will bring joy to your customers.

Christmas Bauble, Wooden and Clear Snowflakes, and a whole line of Glitter Picture Frames will be available for US and EU markets. These are must-have items for your high-season product line. Don’t miss out on these seasonal favorites – launching soon!

Do not hesitate to reach out for more information about product availability: [email protected].

merchOne is thrilled to be part of our sellers' journey in the print-on-demand industry. Our monthly newsletter aims to inform, inspire, and support your business as it reaches new heights. Let's design, sell, and print our way to success together.

?