Key events in the 2024 Q3 retail marketing calendar, that retailers can use in their marketing strategies for content success.
Q3 covers July, August and September so read on to find key dates, seasonal changes, holidays and cultural events happening.
Use this Q3 retail marketing calendar to plan your marketing and create content. Planning ahead also means you will avoid any confusion and overlap in your retail marketing strategy. Consider which marketing platforms you will show up on for Q3:
- Social media
- Newsletters
- Wedsite collections & banners
Customer’s Mindset in July
Consumers are feeling very positive and generally more relaxed due to the warmer weather. They want to spend time with family and friends, especially outside. Think BBQs, entertaining and enjoying the long evenings.
The end of the school year is approaching (mid-July). Parents are looking for ways to entertain their children and buy teachers gifts to say thank you for their care.
Graduation Gifts are also being purchased for the first three weeks of July.
Summer sales will start so many will take advantage of retailer’s discounts.
Peak wedding season begins as people starting to attend weddings. The main wedding purchases include outfits, gift and cards.
Key Dates in July
- Sunday 7th July – World Chocolate Day. Celebrate your love for chocolate or promote any sweet treats you sell.
- Tuesday 16th July – Moon Landing Anniversary. If you have space-themed products, use this day to promote them.
- Sunday 28th July – Parents’ Day. A day to honour parents and their love for their children. Highlight your role as a working parent or how your parents have helped you. Show your gratitude.
- Tuesday 30th July – International Friendship Day. Friendship gifts are great sellers, so promote products in your range that people buy for their friends.
Top Events in July
- Last chance teacher gifts during the first two weeks of July.
- Graduation gifts as students graduate.
- Wedding gifts.
- Wedding anniversaries peak as summer is a key time for weddings. Think about wedding anniversaries by materials and what products you have that fit these.
- Outdoor & garden products as the warmer weather continues.
- Summer sales as retailers clear out old summer stock.
- Sporting Events over the summer include the Euros and Wimbledon. Target customers with promotions related to major sporting events.
How Customers are Feeling in August
Spirits are at their highest because of the warm weather and longer days so consumers plan events and activities to enjoy the outdoors.
Many people are going on holiday or taking time off for staycations to enjoy the warmer weather.
Parents have to juggle as children are off school. Consider how you can help entertain children with any activities you sell.
There is a need to start organising the home ready for autumn as the end of summer is coming.
Towards the end of the month preparations for children to head back to school or university.
Key dates in August
- Friday 2nd August – International Beer Day. If you sell beer, use this as a day to market your alcoholic drinks.
- Wednesday 7th August – Playday; National Day for Play. Highlight children’s toys and kid’s activities that would be perfect for the summer holidays.
- Thursday 8th August – International Cat Day. Promote your feline-inspired products.
- Friday 9th August – National Book Lovers Day. Market any products inspired by books or literature. Or your favourite summer read.
- Thursday 15th August – National Relaxation Day. It’s time to chill and promote your products that can aid in relaxation.
- Friday 16th August – Tell a Joke Day. Get funny and share a joke you love or any humorous products you have.
- Monday 26th August – Summer bank holiday. Have a sale or promote a special offer like free delivery.
- Monday 26th August – National Dog Day. If you sell dog-inspired gifts or doggo treats, now is the day to promote them.
- Monday 26th August – Women’s Equality Day. Focus on women’s empowerment and equality and how you feel about this in your business.
Key occasions in August
- Back-to-school and back-to-university products peaks.
- A level and GCSE results are out. Showcase gifts to celebrate these milestones in student’s lives.
- Bank Holiday sales are a final chance to clear summer stock.
- New season ranges are released ahead of autumn.
- Baby showers start to peak.
- Wedding gifts and wedding anniversary gifting continue.
- Travel and holidays. Promote travel-related products and accessories.
What your Customers are Doing in September
The end of the summer is seen as opportunity to refresh your mind, wardrobe and home ready for a new season. Warmer clothes are bought from the autumn new season ranges.
The weather is on the turn but people are still spending time outside. Consumers start to move back indoors, cleaning up the outside and refreshing their indoor space.
A sense of relief and a return to a normal routine happens as the children head back to school.
Some consumers start their Christmas planning and begin buying gifts.
Key dates in September
- Sunday 1st September – World Letter Writing Day. Promote any notelets, letter-writing sets or cards people can buy to let people know they are thinking of them.
- Thursday 5th September – International Day of Charity. Showcase what you do for a charity you care about and how you give back in your business.
- Sunday 15th September – National Wife Day. Market any products that are perfect to show your wife you appreciate her.
- Saturday 21st September – World Gratitude Day. Show gratitude for your customers and how much their support and orders mean to your business. Promote any journals or notebooks that are perfect for writing gratitude lists.
- Sunday 22nd September – Autumnal Equinox. The start of autumn and the change in seasons.
- Sunday 29th September – National Coffee Day. Highlight your love of coffee or any coffee-related products you sell.
Key events in September
- Back-to-school and back-to-university continues. Late shoppers look for deals on school supplies and clothing.
- Autumn fashion & accessories launches.
- Halloween preparations start with Halloween costumes, decorations and sweets being sold.
- Early Christmas product launches start to happen for some businesses.
- The season transitions from summer to autumn, including home decor, wardrobe changes, home organisation and storage
- Gifts for birthdays, Name days and Christening increase slightly.
Review all the events you can use in Q3 and pick the key occasions that work for your business. Remember not to pick them all! Good luck with creating your Q3 retail marketing calendar.
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