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Growth & Conversion

Find a better retention metric for a seasonal business

Use buying opportunities that match when customers realistically return.

Choose a period that reflects the product

A seasonal supplies store may not expect a buyer back within 30 days. Compare repeat purchase in the next relevant season or over the same period in consecutive years. Explain which customers had a realistic opportunity to return.

Choose a period that reflects the product. Separate retention from timing. Use contribution alongside frequency.
Key decisions covered in this article.

Separate retention from timing

A holiday moving by a week can change measured repeat behavior. Align cohorts to relevant event dates and report comparable counts. Check whether customers purchased early or switched products before treating a slower month as lost demand.

Use contribution alongside frequency

Include net contribution from repeat orders, not just the number of buyers. A discounted return can raise repeat rate while reducing margin. Choose retention actions that improve customer usefulness and support a viable outcome.

Try a related tool

Find the share of eligible visits that completed a defined action. Count at most one conversion per visit for this calculation.

Open Conversion Rate