E-commerce

Abandoned carts & email flows

Cart recovery scenarios with real numbers.

2 min read

An abandoned cart isn't a lost sale — it's the easiest win

In Greece, 65–80% of carts are abandoned.
Not because the user doesn't want the product — but because something interrupted the flow.

A proper recovery sequence wins them back.


1) Why users abandon carts

Common reasons:

  • unclear shipping cost
  • unknown delivery time
  • friction in checkout
  • comparing shops
  • leaving from mobile and forgetting
Abandonment is a signal, not a rejection.

2) The classic 3-email recovery flow

  • Email #1 — 30 minutes
Simple reminder.
  • Email #2 — 6–12 hours
Answer objections (shipping, delivery, payments).
  • Email #3 — 24–48 hours
Small incentive (free shipping threshold / small gift).
"You don't win with pressure — you win by removing friction."

3) Real recovery numbers (Greece)

  • 45–70% open rate
  • 10–25% click-through
  • 8–20% recovery rate
Strongest categories: fashion, cosmetics, accessories

4) What each email must contain

  • Email #1 → reminder
  • Email #2 → answers
  • Email #3 → incentive
Short, visual, clear.

5) Mistakes to avoid

  • too many emails
  • fake urgency
  • big discounts that devalue products
  • no product images
  • corporate tone

Bottom Line:

Abandoned cart flows bring back sales you would have lost.
Remind → answer → motivate — and recovery becomes a predictable source of revenue.

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