Black Friday Candle Sales: 7 Tips For Success

Assess your current inventory levels

Start by taking stock of all items: finished candles, raw materials, wicks, wax, fragrances, jars, lids, labels, and packaging. Review recent sales, especially last Black Friday, to identify bestsellers and slow movers. Monitoring numbers helps prevent surprises—like running out of popular scents or excess stock after sales.

Order supplies and restock strategically

Plan your stock deliveries with potential delays in mind and order a little extra of your top sellers to cushion against sudden demand jumps. Don’t forget packaging for gift sets and bundles—shoppers love them for holiday gifting.

Forecast demand and identify your bestsellers

Now, dig into your sales trends. Which candles, scents, or bundles were customer favourites last Black Friday or during similar busy times? Use your findings to estimate demand for your bestsellers and spot any emerging trends in scent or style.

Ask yourself:

• Which items flew off the shelves fastest?
• Are there particularly festive or seasonal candles customers will want?
• Can slower sellers be bundled or paired for a special Black Friday offer?

Calculate costs and expected revenue

Start by listing all costs, such as candle production, packaging, marketing, and free shipping offers. Tracking these helps set realistic sales and profit goals. Review last year's Black Friday expenses to identify areas needing extra budget, like more staff or advertising.

To estimate how much you could bring in this year, take a look at last year’s numbers and your current average order value. Consider how seasonal promotions might bring more visitors to your website or shop.

Plan your pricing, discounts, and profit margins

Decide on your Black Friday deals early to balance attractive discounts and healthy profit margins. Review all costs for each candle to determine what discount fits your budget and avoid overextending.

Many candle brands find success with tiered pricing, creative bundle deals, or early-bird offers that reward shoppers for jumping in early. You might choose to run flash sales, limited editions, or free shipping to encourage higher spend and capture the sense of Black Friday urgency.

Plan engaging email, social media, and ad campaigns

Get a head start by mapping out your Black Friday marketing calendar well in advance. Align your email newsletters, social posts, and advertising efforts so each one feeds into the buzz around your upcoming sale. Every channel should spotlight your unique offers and build excitement with time-sensitive deals. With email, segment your list to send more relevant messages—think early-bird alerts for your long-time supporters and exclusive previews for new subscribers. Catch attention with subject lines that mention “Black Friday,” “early access,” or “special candle deals.”

When all your marketing channels work together, your message carries further—bringing back loyal customers and bringing in new ones, too.

Develop irresistible early bird and exclusive offers

Offering something special is at the heart of a memorable Black Friday candle sale. Consider early bird deals that go live before your main event as a thank-you for loyal customers and a teaser for everyone else. These exclusive offers help your store stand apart, making shoppers more likely to choose you for their holiday gifting and candle favourites.

Collaborate with influencers and partners

Partnering up can give your Black Friday campaign a major boost. Seek out creators, bloggers, or brands with audiences who would love your candles. Work together on unboxing videos, Instagram stories, or special Black Friday giveaways to build excitement and trust. You can even give them a unique discount code to share with their followers!

Prepare for increased customer inquiries with confidence

Expect a flurry of questions, both in person and online. Prepare email templates for common topics, like delivery queries, out-of-stock items, and returns. Make sure your website FAQs and contact details are up to date so shoppers can find answers quickly.

Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail!

Update your website for seasonal promotions

Your website is often your shop window, especially during busy times like Black Friday. Start by giving your homepage and banners a festive refresh, spotlighting exclusive BFCM deals, limited edition scents, and gift-ready collections. Make bestselling products stand out and, if possible, set up dedicated Black Friday pages for bundles and must-have gift sets so that shoppers can discover your best offers in seconds.

Ensure mobile-friendliness and a smooth checkout experience

With more customers shopping on their phones and tablets, your website must look and function perfectly on every device. Use responsive design checks to make sure promotions, product details, and carts show up correctly, whether shoppers are on a laptop or browsing on the go.