What is the Chinese New Year and why should you care?

The Chinese New Year is, quite essentially, the most important holiday of the year in China, which, let’s face it, makes it important to us in South Africa, too. The specific dates around which this auspicious holiday fall varies from year to year because it isn’t governed by the Western calendar, but rather a lunar calendar, which is determined by the cycles of the moon.

This year, however, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated between February 15th and February 21st. So, what is it all about?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

The Chinese New Year is, to the Chinese, what Christmas and New Year is to the West. In South Africa, (and the Western calendar), there are only three public holidays during the festive season (25th, 26th December and the 1st January). However, we don’t just take three days off to celebrate, relax, and reconnect with family and friends. No, we often take a week or two or even three off.

Similarly, in China, the Chinese New Year is a time to recuperate from the year’s stresses, to travel, and to observe the traditions they hold near and dear to their hearts. One of these traditions is an annual spring-cleaning of the home, which clears away the grime and clutter of the year past and creates a (physical and psychological) clean canvas for the year ahead.

The Chinese also adorn their homes with red and gold decorations for luck, prepare fabulous feasts, and travel far and wide (often to rural areas) to visit loved ones. It’s a beautiful time of year, both spiritually and aesthetically.

Why is the Chinese New Year important to businesses in the West?

There is no denying the pivotal role that China plays as a world economic power and, in South Africa, to our economy and retail industry. We do major business with China, importing tons upon tons of goods into our country every day. And so, considering the fact that many businesses, factories, and warehouses shut their doors over the Chinese New Year – and often for an extended period of time – it behooves South African businesses to make timely preparations. We should also show our Eastern counterparts the respect and send them the good wishes they deserve over this special time of year!

What you can do to prepare your business and your clients for the Chinese New Year?

• Place orders sooner – sooner than usual - rather than later. Just like our festive season, everyone will be trying to rush their shipments so space on ships and planes book out several weeks in advance. Expect the same kinds of delays as orders get queued up for shipping after Chinese New Year as well.

• Keep in mind that some factories close for longer than the Chinese New Year dates, as many workers travel long distances to visit family. Some can stay closed for several weeks and while basic administrative services may resume shortly after the Chinese New Year, you may experience delays for two to three weeks.

• If you haven’t already, get in touch with your suppliers now to confirm operating dates to ensure that your samples and/or stock is scheduled to arrive on time.

•  Oftentimes, suppliers, factories, and warehouses will take on a lot of new staff after the Chinese New Year that is yet to be trained in the various operational and quality control protocol. This can result in errors and quality control issues so just be a little vigilant in the weeks after the Chinese New Year to ensure that you don’t pass any damaged stock onto your customers.

Last, but certainly not least, show the Chinese courtesy by wishing them well on this very significant holiday!