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Paypal launches website detailing retail trends and holidays around the world

PayPal has announced the launch of PassPort, a website designed to educate and empower small businesses with free tools to expand their global sales.

June 13, 2014

PayPal has announced the launch of PassPort, a website designed to educate and empower small businesses with free tools to expand their global sales. According to the company, PassPort provides country-specific guidance on seasonal sales peaks, including holidays and events; cultural customs, taboos and trends; shipping and distribution logistics; currency exchange and fees; and customs procedures and taxes.

“Small business owners know that reaching a global market can exponentially increase their sales, but many aren't sure where to start,” said Carey Kolaja, VP of global product solutions at PayPal. “In 2013, global trade accounted for approximately 25 percent of PayPal’s Total Payment Volume — so we understand the challenges and opportunities of international trade. We designed PassPort with our international insights to help small businesses tap into global sales opportunities as simply and seamlessly as possible.”

The company said that businesses using PassPort will gain insight into the traditions, trends and taboos surrounding Singles Day, the Nov. 11 Chinese holiday that dwarfs Black Friday in e-commerce revenue and is “expected to easily exceed $10 billion” this year, according to a USDA report. Information about additional top global retail holidays, such as Golden Week in Japan and Click Frenzy in Australia, will prepare businesses to expand their sales and reach more potential customers.

“PassPort removes perceived barriers by revealing cultural gift-giving traditions and taboos and helps to ease the complexity of shipping and customs,” said Kolaja. “By helping businesses understand when and how to best engage with international shoppers, we go far beyond the secure and simple payments our customers expect from us and enable them to tap into new revenue potential.”