Email subject lines are the first chance to grab the customer's attention after shopping cart abandonment. If retailers want to stand out in a shopper's inbox, they need an attention grabbing subject line; in fact, 35% of email recipients open email based on the subject line alone. Considering abandoned cart campaigns are the final opportunity to recover a customer's order, retailers need to use their best email subject lines.
Takeaways From Cart Abandonment Email Subject Lines
These are some of the largest online retailers in the world - nearly a third of them are hoping excitement(!) helps save their fleeting shoppers. Another 13% of retailers rely on questions to spark opens and other engagements with their customers, but at an average of 6.5 emails per 50, they risk getting lost in the crowd of question-based subject lines. In addition to the statistics above, 22% of the 177 email subject lines began with the word "welcome" or the phrase "complete your." Nearly a quarter of the emails!
As for the less common tactics, approximately 10% of abandoned cart emails directly referenced exclusive discounts or savings in the subject line. As Gen Y and Gen X spend more time and money online, it is surprising to see that only 5% of email subject lines included emojis. The unique appearance and bright colors of emojis stand out in most email clients, thus grabbing more attention is a consumer's inbox.
Whether good, bad, or ugly - check out the real examples of email subject lines from shopping cart abandonment campaigns below!
177 Email Subject Lines From Real Abandoned Cart Campaigns
*NOTE: The email subject lines below were pulled directly from the first three emails sent by retailers, following cart abandonment.
100% PURE
1st Email: Welcome from 100% PURE
2nd Email: Thanks [NAME] for visiting 100% PURE
3rd Email: [NAME], thanks for visiting 100% PURE
80s Tees
1st Email: You're signed up for fun (and savings) from 80sTees.com
2nd Email: Hey [NAME]. Was there a problem checking out?
3rd Email: [NAME], don't miss out on your cart full of awesomeness at 80sTees.com.
Abercrombie & Fitch
1st Email: Congratulations! You have full access to A&F!
2nd Email: Now that you’re on the list..
3rd Email: AUTO REPLY: Still in bed
Adidas
1st Email: Welcome to adidas Online Store, [Country Of Origin]!
2nd Email: Your Account has been created on the
3rd Email: [NAME], don't leave your items behind!
American Eagle
1st Email: Success! Your account has been created.
2nd Email: Welcome! Introducing improvements to AEREWARDS
3rd Email: JUST for email subscribers: 30% off!
Ashley Bridget
1st Email: Complete your Purchase and Get 15% OFF!
2nd Email: ? Attn: 8 NEW Diamond Rings! ?
3rd Email: NEW: Sign Language Collection + SALE!
Bluemercury
1st Email: Missing Something?
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Boardwalkbuy
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: 10% off just for you...
3rd Email: 10% off just for you...
Body Aware
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Body Candy
1st Email: Welcome to the Party!
2nd Email: Complete your Purchase
3rd Email: Show Your Piercings Some L
VE!
The Boeing Store
1st Email: You left something behind...
2nd Email: You left something behind...
3rd Email: You still have items in your cart!
Bombas
1st Email: Welcome to Bombas Socks
2nd Email: You Left Some Socks Behind
3rd Email: Don't Leave Your Socks Behind
Camera Ready Cosmetics
1st Email: Complete your Purchase at Camera Ready Cosmetics
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
CFL Shop
1st Email: CFLSHOP- Do you want to complete your order?
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Chaser
1st Email: Forgot something? Looks like you have items in your cart.
2nd Email: Your cart is about to expire!
3rd Email: Oh no! Your cart is about to expire!
Chicos
1st Email: Welcome to Chico's! (Account Details Inside)
2nd Email: Does This Belong To You?
3rd Email: Need Help With Your Bags?
Clothing Arts
1st Email: Travel Smarter with Pick-Pocket Proof® Clothing
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Creatures Of Comfort
1st Email: Forgetting Something?
2nd Email: There are items still in your cart
3rd Email: N/A
Culture Kings
1st Email: It looks like you left something behind...
2nd Email: Complete your Purchase
3rd Email: Your cart is about to expire.
DownEast
1st Email: Our gift to you: $10 off your next purchase.
2nd Email: Love Saving? Here's 20% OFF Everything ♡
3rd Email: WOW Factor: 20% OFF Everything!
Eddie Bauer
1st Email: Hi [NAME], welcome to EddieBauer.com
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
The ellen Degeneres Show
1st Email: Hi , just checking in!
2nd Email: We saved your cart for you
3rd Email: What's new? Check out our latest + Did you see our new contest?
EverMarker Jewelry
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: You left something behind...
3rd Email: 30% OFF For Engagement & Wedding Ring 
Express
1st Email: you're in! welcome to EXPRESS NEXT
2nd Email: Finish your purchase before it sells out!
3rd Email: Here's free shipping to get what's in your cart!
Famous Stars And Straps
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Fanatics
1st Email: Welcome to Fanatics
2nd Email: Who's #1? Rank Your Favorite Teams…
3rd Email: Benefits Designed By Fans, For Fans
Florence Scovel
1st Email: Complete your Purchase with Florence Scovel Jewelry
2nd Email: Pending order at Florence Scovel
3rd Email: It looks like you left something behind...Hurry, before it is gone! Save Over 90%
Foot Locker
1st Email: Complete your Foot Locker registration
2nd Email: Welcome to Foot Locker
3rd Email: Don't forget the items in your cart
Freshpair
1st Email: Welcome to Freshpair!
2nd Email: Complete your Purchase
3rd Email: N/A
Gitman Bros.
1st Email: Thank you, here's your discount code.
2nd Email: Still deciding?
3rd Email: Sale Now 50% Off + More Items Added
Grunt Style
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Heat Holders
1st Email: Complete your Purchase, 15% Off!
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Hickies
1st Email: Welcome To The HICKIES Community! Save an Extra 15%
2nd Email: Complete Your Purchase at HICKIES With 20% Off !
3rd Email: It's Just As Easy As HICKIES: Enter To Win A Pair Of Kicks 
Isabella
1st Email: Thanks for Signing Up
2nd Email: Tell us a bit About Yourself
3rd Email: Don't Miss the Isabella Jewelry Sale!
Jack Erwin
1st Email: Hey. You left without your shoes...
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
J. Crew
1st Email: Say hello to your 15% off code
2nd Email: Hello, style
3rd Email: Hello, @jcrew
Joseph Nogucci
1st Email: Get An Extra 20% Off by Completing Your Order Now!
2nd Email: Your Private Discount is Expiring... Don't Miss Out.
3rd Email: Hey [NAME], Get 70% OFF But Hurry We're Selling Out Fast!
Lands' End
1st Email: Thanks for signing up...
2nd Email: Lands' End Account Update
3rd Email: Welcome to the family!
L.L.Bean
1st Email: Thanks for Signing Up for L.L.Bean Emails
2nd Email: Your Account Information Has Been Updated
3rd Email: What We're All About
Lolly Wolly Doodle
1st Email: Complete Your Purchase
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Lululemon Athletica
1st Email: Welcome to lululemon.com
2nd Email: You're in, welcome to lululemon.
3rd Email: Pants on party's here.
Macy's
1st Email: Welcome to Macy's. Here's an extra 25% off!
2nd Email: Your shipping address was changed
3rd Email: Need a reason to open a Macy's Account? We've got a few!
Morphe Cosmetics
1st Email: The under-eye struggle is over
2nd Email: Through thick & thin
3rd Email: But first, contour ... Morphe X Brittany Bear
Neiman Marcus
1st Email: 1 day only: 75% off in Clearance
2nd Email: Now you're IN THE KNOW! Plus, enjoy Free Shipping
3rd Email: Going fast! 40% off wear-now picks
Net-a-Porter
1st Email: [NAME], welcome to your NET-A-PORTER
2nd Email: Personalize your NET-A-PORTER
3rd Email: The best way to shop NET-A-PORTER
Nike
1st Email: Welcome to Nike+
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Noble Outfitters
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Nordstrom
1st Email: Welcome to the Nordstrom family!
2nd Email: Don't forget your Shopping Bag!
3rd Email: We've got an app just for you.
Out Of Print
1st Email: Your cart MADE us send this reminder :)
2nd Email: DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER - New 1984 tees ▶
3rd Email: ICYMI - Big Brother, Muggles, Austen, Shakespeare! 
Plus By Design
1st Email: Plus by Design Checkout
2nd Email: Vikki Vi Pre-Season Sale Ends Today
3rd Email: Read the Blog ~ New Arrivals ~ Sale
Primal Wear
1st Email: We saved your cart for you
2nd Email: Ride Bikes. Drink Beer. Repeat.
3rd Email: That's a wrap on the Colorado Classic and Velorama Fest
Quoddy
1st Email: Nice. Now let's help you get into your next pair.
2nd Email: The Quoddy shoes you were considering...
3rd Email: A Penny Loafer with a sporty sole.
Ralph Lauren
1st Email: Welcome to the World of Ralph Lauren
2nd Email: Follow Ralph Lauren on Instagram, Facebook, and More
3rd Email: Introducing The Elk Ridge Polo Shirt
Reyn Spooner
1st Email: Did you forget something?
2nd Email: It looks like you left something behind [NAME]...
3rd Email: Did you forget something, [NAME]?
Rooster Teeth
1st Email: Uh oh [NAME], Did you forget something?
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Rowdy Gentleman
1st Email: Yo, You Forgot Something
2nd Email: Raise A Glass For Summer
3rd Email: End Of Season Deals
Rue La La
1st Email: Forgot your password? Rue to the rescue.
2nd Email: RE: Your Rue La La account.
3rd Email: RE: Your Rue La La account.
Saks Fifth Avenue
1st Email: THANKS for signing up for a new account!
2nd Email: Welcome to Saks OFF 5TH & Get $20 Off!
3rd Email: Welcome to Saks.com. Your special offer inside...
Shop Latitude
1st Email: Welcome to the World of Shop Latitude
2nd Email: Did you forget something?
3rd Email: Final Hours of Sale: Up to 75% Off. Ends Tonight!
Showers Pass
1st Email: It looks like you left something behind...
2nd Email: Purchase your Showers Pass gear before it's too late...
3rd Email: Just for you! $25 towards Bike to School Gear
Sleepyheads
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Southern Shirt
1st Email: Your shopping bag is waiting on you!
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Speedo USA
1st Email: Did You Find What You Were Looking For?
2nd Email: N/A
3rd Email: N/A
Teddy The Dog
1st Email: Last Day for 20% OFF the Store. Happy #NationalMutt Day. 
2nd Email: Baby, Come Back! Your Cart is Safe at Teddy 
3rd Email: Just another Dog and Pony Show. Eclipse orders are closing!
The Chivery
1st Email: Did you lose something?
2nd Email: Ok… Mac’s about to sell your stuff
3rd Email: N/A
The Home T
1st Email: Did you forget this?
2nd Email: re: Your Home T Order
3rd Email: Here's a little motivation for you.
Under Armour
1st Email: It’s Official: Welcome To Under Armour
2nd Email: Your Cart's Loaded & Ready To Go
3rd Email: Forget Something?
Urban Outfitters
1st Email: Thanks and you're welcome!
2nd Email: Thanks and you're welcome!
3rd Email: They're still waiting for you...
Urban Skin Rx
1st Email: The Official Rewards Program!
2nd Email: Welcome to USRX!
3rd Email: Forgot something? Looks like you have items in your cart.
USBC Bowling Store
1st Email: Complete your Purchase
2nd Email: Check out these latest arrivals
3rd Email: Sizzling Hot Savings
Vans
1st Email: Welcome to Vans!
2nd Email: Thanks For Signing Up!
3rd Email: N/A
Vim
1st Email: Looks like you forgot something
2nd Email: Looks like you forgot something
3rd Email: N/A
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