Marketing calendars give online businesses a good idea of how to organize sales throughout the year by listing holidays and other important sales dates. It allows you to plan your marketing campaigns in advance, ensuring that you are ready for all the extra sales you’ll get. Mark your calendar with these important dates:
Quarter 1
By the end of 2020, close out any old sales and make way for the new year. You have the potential to start out strong during the first quarter.
January
New Year’s Day (January 1st): The new year gives online retailers an opportunity to turn 2020 holiday shoppers into repeat customers. Studies show that approximately 64% of customers who make initial purchases during the holiday season have lower lifetime values. Beginning the year with a post-holiday season sale can increase customer loyalty.
Other Important Dates:
1st-31st: Dry January
18th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February
Valentine’s Day (February 14th): A day for love and lovers alike, Valentine’s Day is a holiday associated with shopping, so it has the potential to greatly boost first quarter sales. Make sure you start your promotions early; the most popular days for Valentine’s orders are between the 7th and 11th of February.
Other Important Dates:
1st-28th: Black History Month
17th: Ash Wednesday
20th: Love Your Pet Day
March
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th): While St. Patrick’s Day is mainly known for indulging in green beverages , consumers still spend billions of dollars on decorations, green clothing, and fun accessories during this popular Irish celebration. Be sure to give customers time to place orders and consider adding a pop of green to the St. Patrick’s Day section of your site or your marketing materials.
Other Important Dates:
4th: World Book Day
8th: International Women’s Day
20th: First Day of Spring
25th: International Waffle Day
Quarter 2
The first quarter has passed, Spring has sprung, and Summer is fast approaching.
April
April Fool’s Day (April 1st): April Fool’s Day is all about pranks, which makes it the perfect time to roll out deals that may seem too good to be true. Marketing during the holiday is also very important as many companies see April Fool’s Day as a way to joke with consumers and reach new audiences.
Easter Sunday (April 4th): Ecommerce businesses can market to consumers around Easter by creating an ‘Easter Egg Hunt’ on their site. When shoppers find strategically placed eggs, they get promo codes or other discounts on their purchase.
Other Important Dates:
2nd: Good Friday
10th: Siblings Day
11th: National Pet Day
22nd: Earth Day
May
Women’s Health Month: For businesses looking to promote sales all month long, Women’s Health Month is a great event to capitalize on. Consider bundling women’s items together with special pricing.
Star Wars Day (May 4th): Do you sell products that are out of this world? Promote your brand to Star Wars fans on May 4th. After a customer purchases your product online, instead of saying thank you, replace it with “May The 4th Be With You. Clever huh!?
Cinco De Mayo (May 5th): This summer holiday celebrates the day in 1862 on which the Mexican army repelled the French in battle despite being outnumbered and outgunned. Over time, the holiday came to represent more, becoming a day to celebrate Mexican culture all over the world. Ecommerce businesses can make the most of Cinco De Mayo by focusing sales on the number 5. 5% off, $5 off, and buy 4 get the 5th free sales all do well on this holiday.
Mother’s Day (May 9th): Mother’s Day is another important holiday in Q2. Gift giving isn’t limited to Mom, in fact, data shows that consumers purchase gifts for their grandparents, sisters, wives, and daughters during Mother’s Day sales.
Other Important Dates:
3rd: May Day
11th: National Eat What You Want Day
17th: World Baking Day
20th: World Bee Day
June
Pride Month: June is LGBTQ+ pride month. Studies show that approximately 1 in 4 online customers are more likely to do business with a brand who shows LGBTQ+ representation in their advertising. On the other hand, about one half of internet users see rolling out Pride merchandise as just a marketing ploy, so be cautious and remain sincere.
Father’s Day (June 20th): While Father’s Day may not reach Mother’s Day sales, many people still celebrate the holiday. In fact, 75% of men in the US are expected to celebrate Father’s Day this year. The top three categories for spending on Father’s Day are: gifts, food and drink, and cards/gift wrap supplies.
Other Important Dates:
1st: Global Parent’s Day
20th: First Day of Summer
21st: Summer Solstice
Quarter 3
As we cross into the second half of 2021, summer sales take over. With kids out of school, more families are spending time together.
July
Independence Day (July 4th): The 4th of July is widely celebrated throughout the US. Customers are looking for patriotic clothing and accessories as well as cookout and pool party products to enjoy with family.
Other Important Dates:
7th: World Chocolate Day
31st: National Avocado Day
August
While there may not be a big holiday in the month of August, customers are still looking to shop online. Not only is summer in full swing, there are also a number of smaller holidays in August that ecommerce businesses can take advantage of. Consider starting back to school sales around this time.
Other Important Dates:
8th: International Cat Day
9th: Book Lover’s Day
19th: World Photo Day
26th: National Dog Day
September
Back to school season continues in September. While schools start at different times, the earlier in the month marketing begins, the better.
Other Important Dates:
12th: National Chocolate Milkshake Day
27th: World Tourism Day
Quarter 4
Make sure you end the year on a high note. Quarter 4 is a particularly busy time of year for retailers and it gives Ecommerce businesses a chance to reach their sales goals.
October
Halloween (October 31st): Seen as one of the less expensive holidays, consumers are spending their money primarily on candy, costumes, and decor. Halloween is also the time customers begin their shopping for the busy holiday season that’s coming up.
Other Important Dates:
1st: International Coffee Day
10th: World Mental Health Day
16th: World Food Day
November
Men’s Health Month: The counterpart to Women’s Health Month in May, retailers should consider bundling men’s products together.
Thanksgiving (November 25th): In 2019, over 49 million customers shopped online during Thanksgiving season. With the current pandemic, 2020 will no doubt show a significant increase in online shopping. At this time of year, free shipping is a great incentive for customers to complete their orders. In fact, almost half of shoppers say free shipping is the deciding factor in following through with an online order.
Black Friday (November 26th): Brick-and-mortar stores are typically frequented on Black Friday. However, in 2019, 40% of shoppers made their purchases online. On average, Black Friday discounts reach 37%, so be ready to reduce prices and increase sales.
Cyber Monday (November 29th): Another big event immediately following Black Friday is Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is typically the biggest sales day for online retailers of the year. Discounting products, making limited-time offers, and bundling complementary items are great ways to make the most of Cyber Monday.
Other Important Dates:
1st: World Vegan Day
December
Christmas (December 25th): Sales during the Christmas season surpassed one trillion dollars last year, with most consumers spending over $1,500 on gifts, food, and other seasonal supplies. Luckily for online retailers, over 60% of Christmas seasons shopping is done online.
New Year’s Eve (December 31st): Try creating a sense of urgency for your customers this New Year’s Eve. Mark items down with a sale that ends at midnight on New Year’s Eve, before rolling out your beginning of the year sales the next morning.
Other Important Dates:
4th: National Cookie Day
21st: Winter Solstice
Which Holidays Will You Add to Your Calendar in 2021?
There’s a holiday for every day of the year and some have more than one- national rubber ducky day and clean off your desk day both fall on January 13th. You have unlimited opportunities to promote your brand, all you have to do is plan, schedule, and execute! Fill up your calendar with the holidays you want to focus on, and then start planning marketing strategies for each one.
