As we enter the new year, it’s the perfect time to start planning for the upcoming holiday seasons. Every season offers unique opportunities for brands and retailers to engage shoppers and boost sales.  

Whether it’s the fresh energy of spring or the cozy vibes of winter, each season serves as a powerful canvas for crafting compelling brand narratives and deepening connections with consumers. By aligning products and messaging with the seasonal shifts, brands can meet their target audience’s evolving needs and preferences.  

With 40 years of experience navigating retail trends, BDS has developed a comprehensive retail holiday guide to help you take full advantage of each season’s potential. Our guide is designed to help you plan strategically for every holiday, ensuring that you can seamlessly integrate key seasonal moments into your retail approach. 

Q1: January – March: Laying the Foundation: Innovating Retail for the New Year 

As the new year begins, Q1 sales are essential for shaping the direction of the entire year. New Year’s Day offers retailers a valuable opportunity to kickstart Q1 success. With the focus on fresh starts and resolutions, it’s an ideal time to highlight products that support self-improvement. Items related to health and wellness, fitness, home office upgrades, and organization tools resonate strongly with consumers looking to make positive changes and set themselves up for a productive and fulfilling year ahead. 

February is packed with three major events: Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day, offering opportunities for brands to make an impact. Super Bowl Sunday, one of the most-watched television events in the U.S., drew an astounding 123.4 million viewers in 2024.  

This massive audience creates a golden opportunity for brands to tap into a high-visibility moment, especially with the iconic commercials that have become a hallmark of the event. Retailers can capitalize on the Super Bowl buzz by promoting products like TVs, speakers, and party food and beverages, aligning their offerings with the excitement of the game. By doing so, brands can drive sales in categories that resonate with consumers gearing up for the big event. 

Following closely behind, Valentine’s Day provides another key sales opportunity. With its proximity to the Super Bowl, retailers can stay top-of-mind by promoting Valentine’s gifts early. In 2024, Valentine’s Day spending reached a record-breaking $26 billion. From jewelry and flowers to chocolates and experiences, brands can cater to consumers looking to express affection in meaningful ways. 

As we approach the end of Q1, St. Patrick’s Day presents another chance to boost sales. In 2024, the holiday reached a record $7.2 billion in consumer spending, with 62% of Americans participating in the festivities. With a focus on Irish-inspired products, food, and beverages, retailers can tap into the celebratory mood and create promotions that drive consumer engagement. Whether it’s themed merchandise or festive offerings, St. Patrick’s Day can be a strategic addition to your retail calendar. 

Holidays & Events in Q1: 

• New Year’s Day – January 1 
• Super Bowl Sunday – February 9 
• Valentine’s Day – February 14 
• President’s Day – February 17 
• St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 

Q2: April – June: Spring into Savings: Unlocking Sales Opportunities with Seasonal Deals  

Q2 presents a wealth of opportunities for brands and retailers to refine their strategies around key spring events like Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduation season. While Easter may not carry the same commercial weight as Christmas, it offers a prime moment to create spring promotions that capture the season’s fresh energy.  

Earth Day, celebrated globally, is an important occasion for brands to reinforce their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This is an ideal time to showcase eco-friendly products, sustainable packaging, and your brand’s dedication to responsible practices, demonstrating your values to environmentally conscious consumers. 

Many forward-thinking brands go beyond profit, using Earth Day to support environmental causes by donating a portion of their sales to nonprofit organizations. These campaigns raise awareness and make a tangible impact, highlighting that sustainability is not just a trend but an enduring commitment that resonates with today’s conscientious shoppers. Capitalizing on the momentum of Earth Day, brands can align themselves with eco-friendly values and strengthen their connection with consumers who prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions. 

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day offer brands unique opportunities to tap into the emotional sentiment of gift-giving. For Mother’s Day, products like flowers, chocolates, self-care items, and fashion are in high demand. In 2024, Mother’s Day spending reached nearly $34 billion, with consumers spending $3.2 billion on flowers alone. 

Similarly, Father’s Day, which saw nearly $23 billion in spending in 2024, offers opportunities for gifts like special outings ($4.5B), clothing ($3.5B), gift cards ($2.9B), electronics ($2.4B), and personal care items ($1.6B). By positioning your products to meet these consumer needs, you can connect with shoppers looking to express love and appreciation during these special occasions. 

Graduation season also brings lucrative opportunities, as it’s a time of celebration and significant consumer spending. In 2024, total spending during this season reached $6.1 billion. Brands can seize on this moment to make a lasting impression while driving sales. 

As we approach the midpoint of the year, it’s time to think about how to expand your brand’s market presence in the months ahead. A well-targeted Market Development program can elevate your products and influence consumer purchasing decisions. Our Retail Sales Specialists are ready to champion your brand, highlighting its unique features and ensuring it stands out in a competitive market.  

Whether you specialize in home electronics, appliances, or consumer goods, our expert team will recommend products that perfectly align with your customers’ needs, helping to drive both immediate sales and long-term loyalty. 

Holidays & Events in Q2: 

• Easter – April 20 
• Earth Day – April 22 
• Cinco De Mayo – May 5 
• Mother’s Day – May 11 
• Memorial Day – May 26 
• Graduation Season – June 2025 
• Father’s Day – June 15 

Q3 & Q4: July – December: From Summer Deals to Holiday Hustle 

Q3 brings the perfect opportunity for summer savings! While the 4th of July marks a major holiday, the rest of the quarter is relatively free of significant events. This gives retailers and brands the chance to capitalize on mid-summer markdowns, clearing out seasonal inventory and laying the groundwork for the busy holiday season ahead. Although it’s too early to dive into holiday-specific campaigns, this is the ideal time to begin strategic planning for the festivities to come. 

As Halloween decorations start to appear, it’s a clear sign that the holiday rush is quickly approaching. Q3 is the perfect time to prepare for the hectic Q4 selling season. To ensure your brand is ready for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, now is the time to prepare your Retail Sales Specialists for the high-volume days ahead.  

At BDS, we’re dedicated to making sure your brand stands out during the holiday frenzy. Our Market Development Managers and Retail Sales Specialists are equipped to boost brand visibility and drive sales during the most lucrative time of the year. 

With omnichannel retail continuing to rise, consumers are beginning their holiday shopping earlier each year. In 2024, Black Friday online sales hit a record high of $10.8 billion, increasing by 10.2% from the previous year. While online shopping grows, in-store experiences remain crucial for consumers who want to interact with products before making a purchase. With shoppers spending nearly $990 billion during the holiday season in 2024, Black Friday could very well be your most profitable day of the year. 

Holidays & Events in Q3 and Q4: 

• Independence Day – July 4 
• Labor Day – September 1 
• Halloween – October 31 
• Veteran’s Day – November 11 
• Thanksgiving – November 27 
• Black Friday – November 28 
• Small Business Saturday – November 29 
• Cyber Monday – December 1 
• Green Monday – December 8 
• National Free Shipping Day – December 14 
• Hanukkah Begins – December 14 
• Christmas – December 25 
• New Year’s Eve – December 31 

Retail holidays are key moments in the year that present powerful opportunities for brands to engage with consumers, boost sales, and strengthen their market presence. Each season offers unique chances to connect with different customer segments, whether through seasonal promotions, special events, or holiday-specific campaigns. These opportunities allow brands to showcase new products, clear seasonal inventory, or build lasting customer relationships. No matter your goals, whether it’s launching a new product or maximizing sales during peak seasons, BDS is here to help your brand thrive and achieve outstanding results throughout the year!  

Get in touch with us today to start crafting your 2025 retail plan.