Hey it’s Chase and Jimmy here!

Valentine’s Day is the first major retail moment of the year where brands get to test their seasonal muscle.

It sets the tone for how you’ll show up around holidays for the rest of the year, and getting it right matters more than most people think.

This morning, we’re taking a look at Honeydew’s Valentine’s Day Shop. It’s a lookbook-style email designed to set the mood and get shoppers browsing.

Simple by design. The question is whether that simplicity is enough to move someone from scrolling to clicking. Let’s break it down.

Also inside:

✔️ 2025 in Review: The year buying got intentional
✔️ The best email marketers have the messiest inboxes
✔️ Hiring vault: 7 new retention marketing job ops

Let’s get into it.

2025 in Review: The year buying got intentional

Omnisend analyzed data from 150,000 brands, 27 billion emails, and 321 million SMS and push messages to see what actually drove growth last year. The takeaway? Fewer clicks, stronger intent, and a widening gap between brands that adapted and those that didn’t.

Inside the report:

• Why just 5% of brands captured 57% of growth

• How automations drove 30% of revenue from only 2% of sends

• Why SMS and push became the fastest path to high-intent buyers

• What these shifts mean for how you plan 2026

→ Read Omnisend’s 2026 eCommerce Marketing Report

Honeydew’s Valentine’s Day Email: Cozy enough to browse, close enough to buy

Honeydew’s known for soft, comfortable sleepwear that leans more cozy than flashy, and this email sticks to that same energy. 

But is it enough to convert? Let’s break it all down section by section.

Header Block

Let’s start at the top and look at how Honeydew sets the tone before you even think about scrolling.

What We Love

The copy up top is light and expected for Valentine’s Day, which is fine here. It does just enough to set the theme without competing with the visuals.

The styling is consistent and cohesive. The soft pink background, lace framing, and romantic details make it clear this is a Valentine’s moment without shouting about it.

Using a single model up top creates focus. You’re not overwhelmed with options right away, you’re eased into the collection.

The handwritten-style copy adds personality. It feels intimate and casual, like a note instead of a pitch.

What We’d Do Differently

Add a primary CTA above the fold. Bringing a “Shop Now” closer to the hero would give high-intent readers a faster path.

A short framing line could help new subscribers. Something like “Valentine’s-ready sleepwear you’ll actually wear again” would clarify the value right away.

The hero image is strong, but a subtle callout like “Fan favorites for Valentine’s” could add context without clutter.

Body Block

From there, the email moves straight into a simple browse experience that’s all about seeing the product in context.

What We Love

This layout feels like browsing a lookbook, not a product catalog. That’s a win for this category.

The grid keeps things simple. You can scan quickly, spot a look you like, and move on without friction.

This doubles as inspiration and validation. It quietly answers the question “Will this actually look cute on a real person?”

What We’d Do Differently

Individual product context is a little light. Adding a short descriptor under each image, like “softest fabric” or “best seller,” could help guide decisions.

There’s room to spotlight variety. A small note calling out sizes, stretch, or comfort would reinforce confidence for new buyers.

This could also support light bundling. A “complete the set” or “matching bottoms available” nudge would feel natural here.

Footer Block

As the email winds down, Honeydew keeps things clean and straightforward.

What We Love

The final Valentine’s Shop block wraps up the email while staying on theme.

Navigation links are clear and useful, especially for shoppers who want to explore outside the featured looks.

The overall tone stays consistent. No sudden urgency, no pressure, just an open door to keep browsing.

What We’d Do Differently

The final CTA in the Valentine’s Shop block is hard to see. Making this a button would add visual contrast for easy scanning.

The footer could surface one last trust signal, like easy returns or comfort guarantees, to help hesitant shoppers take the next step.

Where This Email Works

Stepping back, this email fits neatly into a few key moments.

Seasonal Discovery: Perfect for Valentine’s Day browsing without leaning on discounts.

Top-of-Funnel Inspiration: Great for newer subscribers who are still getting a feel for the brand’s aesthetic.

Final Thoughts: Why This Email Works

This email is intentionally light, which fits Honeydew’s brand, but it also leaves some opportunity on the table. Leaning a bit more into gifting, Galentine’s, or even the idea of treating yourself could help give shoppers a clearer reason to buy, not just browse.

With a few small tweaks like stronger framing around who this is for and when you’d wear it, plus a more intentional CTA strategy, this email could move from a pleasant seasonal moment to a more persuasive one without losing its calm, cozy feel.

3 Quick Wins to Steal Next Time

✓ Let seasonal visuals carry the message instead of overloading copy
✓ Use consistent styling to make browsing feel calm and intuitive
✓ Keep CTAs simple when the product already does the convincing

The best email marketers have the messiest inboxes

If you're an email marketer, you know the drill. You subscribe to every brand that catches your eye. You save screenshots you'll never organize. And your "inspiration" inbox becomes a graveyard of good intentions.

Chase and I lived this chaos for years while sending billions of emails for top brands. We got tired of the endless scrolling, the lost screenshots, and the "I swear I saw a great abandonment email from that brand last month…"

So we built Inboox.ai; an AI-powered database of 1.5M+ real emails from 10,000+ top Shopify brands. Searchable. Organized. With AI breakdowns, HTML, and send time data.

What's inside:

• 1.5M+ emails from brands like Calpak, Colourpop, Ruggable & more

• AI performance breakdowns on every email

• Full HTML, send time stats & audience insights

• Request any brand, we'll add their catalog

Get started with Inboox.ai

The Hiring Vault

• Email & SMS Account Manager- eCommerce, Remote (U.S any location): BAD Marketing

• Senior Manager, CRM, Jersey City, NJ: What Goes Around Comes Around

• Growth Marketing Manager, Bedminster, NJ: Cymbiotika

• Growth Marketing Manager, New York, NY: Hill House Home

• CRM Manager, Boulder, CO: PopSockets

• Senior Lifecycle and Retention Strategist, Durham, NC: Dollar Shave Club

• Lifecycle Marketing Associate, New York, NY: Havenly Brands

• Strategist & Copywriter, Remote: Nomads

That's a wrap for today!

Appreciate you hanging with Chase and me. We hope you found something you can put to work ASAP.

If you did, don’t keep it to yourself! Send ecomemailmarketer.com to your favorite DTC marketer and get them in on the action.

Catch you next time!

🤘 Jimmy Kim

PS - Your next best customer might be reading this right now. Want in? Email Jimmy to sponsor this newsletter and more.

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