Using a retail marketing calendar is an excellent way to plan out your marketing strategy. Targeting key dates ensures you stay ahead of your competitors and puts your business in front of your customers naturally and organically. Knowing what events and key dates your business can capitalise on is vital to a good retail marketing strategy.
That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive list of global dates, holidays and events in our retail marketing calendar for 2024. So you can plan your retail marketing campaigns, get your business in front of your customers and start using these dates to increase your sales.
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List of Key Global Dates and Holidays For Retail Marketing
January
Customers are keen to spend vouchers and Christmas money in January, so it’s the ideal time to start marketing your retail business. As people are keen to spend, it’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce your brand to brand new customers.
Most consumers in January are looking to spend their money on their New Year’s resolutions. Veganuary, Dry January and new exercise commitments can all provide key marketing opportunities that shouldn’t be ignored.
- 1st – 31st January – Dry January
- 1st – 31st January – Ginuary
- 1st – 31st January – Veganuary
- 1st January – New Year’s Day
- 4th January – World Braille Day
- 14th – 28th – Australian Open (Tennis)
- 15th January – Blue Monday
- 16th January – The Emmys
- 21st January – World Religion Day
- 24th January – International Day of Education
- 25th January – Burns Night
- 26th January – International Customs Day
- 26th January International Day of Clean Energy
- 26th January – Australia Day
- 27th January – Chocolate Cake Day
- 28th January – World Leprosy Day
February
While the buzz of New Year resolutions has died down, and been forgotten in many cases, February still holds plenty of marketing opportunities. With holidays celebrating love, sweet tooths, pets as well as a great deal more, it’s the perfect time to let your creativity free.
Our retail marketing calendar shows some amazing events happening throughout February that can help you target the perfect people for your business. Take note, include them in your Market strategy for 2024 and get ready for a busy Feb!
- 1 Feb – 1 Mar – Black History Month (USA)
- 1st – 29th February – LGBT History Month
- 2nd February – Groundhog Day
- 2nd February – World Wetlands Day
- 2nd February – 16th March – Six Nations Rugby
- 4th February – World Cancer Day
- 4th February – Super Bowl
- 5th February – World Nutella Day
- 5th February – The Grammys
- 10th February – Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon)
- 10th February – World Pulses Day
- 11th February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- 11th February – World Day of the Sick
- 13th February – Pancake Day
- 13th – February – World Radio Day
- 13th February – Shrove Tuesday
- 14th February – Ash Wednesday
- 14th February – Valentine’s Day
- 17th February – Random Act of Kindness Day
- 20th February – Love Your Pet Day
- 29th February – Leap Day
March
It’s springtime in the northern hemisphere! With flowers starting to bloom and trees starting to blossom, much of the world begins to think about spring cleaning and fresh starts. Perhaps even taking up those New Year’s resolutions again.
As the warmer months begin, people begin to think of summer holidays, start to plan outdoor activities and Easter events. March brings with it plenty of opportunities to market to your customers no matter what your retail business offers. There are lots of important days and events in March that you can use to draw the right attention to your business.
- 1st March – Self-Injury Awareness Day
- 1st March – Zero Discrimination Day
- 3rd March – World Wildlife Day
- 7th March – World Book Day
- 8th March – International Women’s Day
- 10th March – Mother’s Day (UK)
- 10th March – Ramadan Start
- 10th March – The Oscars
- 14th March – Popcorn Lovers Day
- 14th March – World Kidney Day
- 15th March – Long Covid Awareness Day
- 17th March – St Patrick’s Day
- 18th March – The BAFTA’s
- 20th March – First Day of Spring
- 20th March – International Day of Happiness
- 21st March – World Poetry Day
- 22nd March – World Water Day
- 23rd March – Earth Hour
- 25th March – International Waffle Day
- 29th March – Good Friday
- 31st March – Easter Sunday
- 31st March – International Transgender Day of Visibility
- Holi Festival: Dates Vary, Typically in March
April
April has many wonderful days that are always good fun in marketing. April’s Fool Day is an excellent tool for drawing attention to your retail business and a brilliant way of having some fun with your customers. April is also home to World Health Day, The Grand National and Earth Day. So, April holds some really key dates that when used correctly, can be invaluable.
- 1st April – April Fool’s Day
- 1st April – Easter Monday
- 2nd April – World Autism Awareness Day
- 7th April – World Health Day
- 8th April – End of Ramadan
- 8th – 14th – Masters (Golf)
- 10th April – Siblings Day
- 12th – 14th April – Coachella
- 13th April – The Grand National
- 15th April – World Art Day
- 18th April – International Day for Monuments and Sites
- 19th April – Bicycle Day
- 22nd April – Earth Day
- 28th April – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
- 30th April – International Jazz Day
May
With temperatures finally climbing above cold (hopefully), now is a great time to bring back a summer feeling to your marketing material. There is also Star Wars Day, International Nurses Day, World Red Cross Day, and even World Baking Day in May.
May is jam-packed with events and important days in loads of sectors. It is a very important month in any retail marketing calendar. Any marketing campaign can be geared towards key audiences effectively in May because there are so many events happening.
- 1st May – Labour Day (USA)
- 4th May – Star Wars Day
- 4th May – Kentucky Derby
- 5th May – Cinco de Mayo
- 5th May – International Family Equality Day
- 6th May – Early May Bank Holiday
- 6th May – Met Gala
- 8th May – World Ovarian Cancer Day
- 8th May – World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
- 11th May – National Eat What You Want Day (UK)
- 12th May – Mother’s Day (USA)
- 12th May – International Nurses Day
- 13th May – World Cocktail Day
- 16th May – International Day of Light
- May 16th – 19th US PGA (Golf)
- 17th May – World Baking Day
- 20th May – World Bee Day
- 20th May – World Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day
- 20th May – June 9th – French Open (Tennis)
- 25th May – African Liberation Day
- 25th May – FA Cup Final (Football)
- May 26th – Indy 500
- 27th May – Memorial Day (USA)
June
June is another busy month of the retail marketing calendar. There is Pride Month, World Gin Day, International Yoga Day and a great deal more. Of course, these are all fantastic opportunities to gain attention and grow your business.
However, there is no need to stretch yourself (or your budget) thin. Target one or two events and create the perfect marketing plan for those. If you try and target too much, you may miss out on opportunities rather than create them.
- 1st June – 30th – Pride Month
- 1st June – UEFA Champions League
- 1st June – Global Day of Parents
- 3rd June – World Bicycle Day
- 5th June – World Environment Day
- 8th June – World Oceans Day
- 8th June – Best Friends Day
- 10th June – World Gin Day
- 13th – 16th June – US Open (Golf)
- 14th June – 14th July – Euro 2024 (Football)
- 16th June – Father’s Day (UK)
- 20th June – Beginning of Summer
- 21st June – Summer Solstice
- 21st June – International Day of Yoga
- 21st – 15th July – Tour de France (Cycling)
- 26th – 30th June – Glastonbury Music Festival
- 24th June – Midsummer’s Day
July
July is a bit of a quieter month in terms of marketing, but there are still things to be done. In fact, many companies don’t push their marketing strategies in July, so this is a great opportunity to push yours and take advantage of other companies not doing as much marketing.
While the retail event calendar for July is a bit thinner than other months, there are still some fantastic days you can use to create a buzz around your business.
- 3rd July – Wimbledon Starts (ends 16th July)
- 4th July – American Independence Day
- 6th July – Islamic New Year
- 7th July – World Chocolate Day
- 11th World Population Day
- 17th July – World Emoji Day
- 18th July – Nelson Mandela International Day
- 20th July – World Chess Day
- Mid-July – Amazon Prime Day
- 26th July – 11th August – Summer Olympics
- 30th July – International Day of Friendship
August
As summer is in full swing, everyone is in holiday mode. So, it isn’t easy to get people’s attention in August. There are still some excellent opportunities to market to customers with very different interests in August, though. Just don’t overcomplicate it. Simple, fun advertising is crucial when your audience’s attention is elsewhere.
- 1st – 7th August – World Breastfeeding Day
- 2nd August – International Beer Day
- 8th August – International Cat Day
- 9th August – Book Lovers Day
- 12th August – International Youth Day
- 19th August – World Photography Day
- 26th August – International Dog Day
- 28th August – 8th September – Paralympic Games
- 31st August – International Overdose Awareness Day
September
September can be a busy and expensive month for people across the world. So discounts, promotions and sales are an excellent way to go. From Read a Book Day to World Heart Day there are some incredible days in September that can help you target your customers in creative and fun ways.
- 2nd September – Labour Day (US)
- 4th September – International Grandparents Day
- 4th September – World Sexual Health Day
- 7th September – Still’s Disease Awareness Day
- 8th September – VMAs
- 10th September – World Suicide Prevention Day
- 12th September – International Programmers’ Day
- 16th September – World Guacamole Day
- 21st September – International Day of Peace
- 21st September – 6th October – Oktoberfest
- 22nd September – Autumn Begins
- 23rd September – International Celebrate Bisexuality Day
- 27th September – World Tourism Day
- 28th September – World Rabies Day
- 29th September – World Heart Day
October
October has some gems you can use to market to just about anyone. For your energetic customers, there is International Coffee Day, there is also World Mental Health Day and, of course, Halloween.
It might be a spooky month, but don’t be scared of getting creative and marketing to your customers. While it’s a busy month for marketing, there are some fun and exciting creative opportunities to be had. Think outside the box, don’t be afraid to get spooky and have fun!
- 1st – 31st October – Black History Month (UK)
- 1st October – International Coffee Day
- 1st October – World Vegetarian Day
- 2nd October – World Habitat Day
- 4th – 10th October – World Space Day
- 6th October – World Cerebral Palsy Day
- 10th October – World Mental Health Day
- 10th October – World Sight Day
- 16th October – World Food Day
- 25th October – World Pasta Day
- 29th October – World Stroke Day
- 31st October – Halloween
November
Ready for the busy period? With Black Friday in the month of November, you likely already have a marketing plan in place. However, there are some other key dates in November to take note of that could be perfect for your marketing plan.
Don’t forget to get your stock in order, get your staff motivated and get ready for one of the busiest months in the retail calendar.
- 1st – 30th November – Movember (Men’s Health Awareness Month)
- 1st November – World Vegan Day
- 10th November – Remembrance Sunday
- 11th November – Remembrance Day
- 12th November – Pneumonia Day
- 17th November – World Prematurity Day
- 19th November – International Men’s Day
- 20th November – Transgender Day of Remembrance
- 20th November – World Children’s Day
- 21st November – World Television Day
- 29th November – Black Friday
December
If you’ve reached your sales target for the year, we’re so happy for you. However, there are still some opportunities to add some icing on the cake. Of course, most people are going crazy for Christmas and getting their last bits of shopping done. While focusing on the holidays is a great option, there are a few other events in December that can be really crucial and well worth exploring.
- 2nd December – Cyber Monday
- 13th December – Christmas Jumper Day
- 14th December – Free Shipping Day
- 21st December – Winter Solstice
- 22nd – 30th December – Hanukkah
- 24th December – Christmas Eve
- 25th December – Christmas Day
- 26th December – Boxing Day
- 31st December – New Year’s Eve
Conclusion
By building a marketing strategy around key dates and events that your customers are already focusing on, you can draw attention to your business from the right eyes. Building a quality marketing campaign takes time, skill and patience. If you want to revolutionise your retail marketing, We Are Amnet can work with you. Get in touch to see how we can save you time and money on your post-production and give you more time back in your day to be creative!
Don’t forget, if you’d like a handy reference guide to the key marketing dates that should be in your retail marketing calendar, download our retail marketing calendar for 2024 PDF. We hope this list inspires you to create a breathtaking marketing campaign in 2024.
