Shopify shoppers splurged on summer party supplies in June

Online shoppers stocked up on summer party supplies in June, according to the latest Shopify data shared first with Retail Brew, with items such as picnic blankets and grill equipment seeing big monthly gains.

In the e-commerce platform’s monthly breakdown, “stars, stripes, and savory delights” saw the biggest sales increases. Here’s a list of some popular purchases:

• Pie and pastry fillings +284%
• Vegetable dip +200%
• Picnic blankets +198%
• Food storage containers +167%
• Outdoor grill toppers +109%
• Grill presses +47%
• Cookie decorating kits +42%
• Pie crusts +22%

In addition to party supplies, shoppers favored backyard-ready sports equipment such as paddle ball sets (up 904% month over month), and bocce ball sets (377%).

Others were looking beyond their lawn for their summer fun, with camping equipment and supplies such as group tents (134%), powered hand fans and misters (52%), and marshmallows (26%) seeing upticks.

And for those who prefer the great indoors, crafting supplies were a favorite. Cross stitch patterns popped 366%, and thread and yard organizers were up 210%.

Prime Day boost: While Independence Day is behind us, another pop in summer spending is expected with Amazon’s four-day Prime Day event.

The sales event has become an industry-wide phenomenon, with many competitors launching their own discounts and promotions in the same period.

Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend $23.8 billion from July 8–11, marking a 28.4% increase from last year and raking in the equivalent of two Black Fridays based on the 2024 holiday shopping season.

The research firm is also anticipating more back-to-school shopping and greater use of buy now, pay later options and generative AI assistants.

It’s also predicting that many steep discounts will lead consumers to trade up to higher-ticket items, expanding their share of overall spending. The share of the costliest electronics toward total spend, for example, is set to rise 52%.