National Mail Order Catalog Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Mail Order Catalog Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Mail Order Catalog Day is observed on August 18th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Mail Order Catalog Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you might want to know about National Mail Order Catalog Day.

📅 What day is National Mail Order Catalog Day 2024?

In 2024, National Mail Order Catalog Day is on Friday, August 18th. It is the 3rd Friday in August; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all the cool details and facts about August 18, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

National Mail Order Catalog Day is an annual event celebrated on August 18th. It serves as a reminder of the time when mail-order catalogs were widely used by businesses and organizations for marketing purposes. These catalogs were a form of direct marketing that allowed businesses to directly engage with their customers. Essentially, a mail-order catalog is a comprehensive list of products or services offered by a business, along with their corresponding prices. It is believed by some that this celebration honors the day in 1872 when Aaron Montgomery, an American entrepreneur, sent out the first modern mail-order catalog to residents of Chicago.

📜 National Mail Order Catalog Day History

In 1667, William Lucas from England created the first gardening catalog of the 17th century. Then, in 1744, Benjamin Franklin, a renowned scientist, was among the first individuals in the United States to produce a catalog for purchasing books and scientific magazines.

During the early 1800s, mail-order shopping gained popularity in the United States. This led to book publishers and farmers utilizing the national postal service and improved railway infrastructure to promote their books and seeds across the country. As the 20th century arrived, mail-order catalogs became widely popular across various industries.

The initial catalog was printed on a single 8 by 12-inch sheet of paper. It contained a display of items for sale, along with pricing and ordering details. Montgomery Ward’s catalog, which started as a single-page product display, eventually expanded into a 540-page illustrated book featuring over 20,000 items. Other businesses quickly adopted Montgomery Ward’s concept. In 1887, renowned entrepreneur Richard Warren Sears sent out his own catalog. With more players entering the market, catalog sales soared, and by 1971, major U.S. companies were making over $250 million in postal revenue.

According to the National Mail Order Association, Aaron Montgomery Ward did not invent the mail-order catalog. However, Benjamin Franklin is credited with introducing the essential concept of postal ordering within the United States, by creating a list of scientific and academic publications. In recent times, online platforms have largely replaced mail-order catalogs, and the term “mail order” has been replaced by “online shopping.”

✅ National Mail Order Catalog Day Facts

🔖 It engages people
Catalogs engage readers by sharing stories and visuals, creating an immersive experience that captivates their interest and sparks curiosity about businesses and their offerings.

🔖 Significant to U.S. history
This marketing strategy became popular among Americans because it offered the convenience of having products delivered straight to their doorstep.

🔖 The oldest mail-order company
Hammacher Schlemmer, which is the longest-running mail-order company to date, continues to operate successfully even after many years.

👍 Why Is National Mail Order Catalog Day Important

Did you realize that catalogs affect shopping decisions more than the internet or television commercials? In a recent poll, 72% of respondents said catalogs aroused their interest in a retailer’s items, and 80% indicated they purchased something after seeing it in a catalog. This is because “whereas online marketing is passive, direct mail is active,” according to the Data and Marketing Association (D.M.A.). Direct mailings are proactive and tactile in nature, demanding the receiver take action.

When paper and pictures combine, amazing things can happen. Mail-order catalogs provide an excellent physical basis for combining dynamic digital technologies such as augmented reality (AR), dynamic QR codes, near-field communication (NFC), and many more. These technologies can assist you in creating interactive experiences that leap off the page, directing customers to memorable brand experiences as well as digital properties such as websites, mobile apps, and social media.

A high-quality, entertaining printed catalog will boost your organization’s brand and visibility. A catalog will expose your company to previously uninformed consumers and demonstrate that you can deliver the things they desire. Purchasing a catalog conveys to others that you are serious and want to remain for the long haul.

🙂 How To Observe National Mail Order Catalog Day

⚡ Take the celebration online
You can also join in the celebration of this day on the internet, particularly on social media. To inform your friends and followers that you are participating in the festivities, simply include the hashtag #MailOrderCatalogDay in your posts. Additionally, feel free to share a picture of a mail-order catalog you own or have obtained from a thrift store.

⚡ Order something from a mail catalog
To commemorate this day, you can choose to make a purchase from a mail-order catalog. Despite their declining popularity, numerous companies and institutions continue to produce and distribute these printed catalogs.

⚡ Look for vintage mail-order catalogs
You can find vintage mail-order catalogs at local thrift stores or flea markets. These catalogs were carefully crafted by businesses to boost sales and can provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. Taking a look at these old catalogs is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of bygone eras.

📅 When is National Mail Order Catalog Day?

See all 🔗 August holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Historical holidays.

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