Before you build your own marketing calendars, here’s a snapshot of all the important days.
We have also listed some promotional ideas so you can weave them into your marketing calendar and build a stronger strategy.
Let’s explore the key dates of the year in detail.
eCommerce Marketing Tips for Days of the Year
Important Events with Global Impact
GTA VI 🎮
Fall of 2025
12 years have gone by since Rockstar’s GTA V launched – and with a tentative launch date of fall, 2025, GTA VI is closer than ever. It’s safe to say we will have a global impact before we get GTA VI, all year round.
Create an ‘Easter Egg’ type landing page where shoppers can unlock ‘we got x% off before GTA VI’ deals.
Curate 24-hour social stories on GTA VI – start by asking your community on what they would dig – and invite them to your Easter Egg contest.
Consider curating custom limited edition GTA game themed products and collections before the launch date.
Coldplay US Tour 🎶
May 31 – June 14, 2025
The Music of the Spheres World Tour finally reaches the United States (since starting in 2022. Coldplay’s social footprint is massive not only for their music but also for their near-zero carbon footprint concerts.
Send email subscribers a calendar in advance about the Tour dates, check the engagement, and follow-up.
Launch a giveaway for tickets to any one of the concerts.
Launch and promote an eco-friendly concert merch collection that shoppers can use while visiting the concert.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup ⚽
June 15 – July 13, 2025
Hosted by the United States, the event will garner attention and fervor from cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Follow the sport’s highlights and create posts on trending topics.
Use football puns in your copy and campaigns.
Create limited-time discounts and gamification offers.
Windows 10 End-Of-Life 💻
October 14, 2025
Windows 10 holds the largest OS market share in the world – which is why, it’s only natural that this event will have a global impact. After all, the Crowdstrike hit nearly brought the world right back into the Dark Age.
Share ‘was I the best OS’ memes on your emails and socials.
Launch a ‘goodbye’ clearance sale in commemoration.
Invite your email subscribers to join a community chat – and win a custom ‘Windows 10’ themed reward.
January
As the month that kicks off the calendar year, January has a lot of significance with starting ‘new’.
Holiday shoppers spill over to continue their journey to buy products relevant to their ‘resolutions’.
New Year’s Day
January 1, 2025
Welcome the new year with special promotions, limited-time discount codes, and exclusive offers.
You can never go wrong with themes like New Year's resolutions for product categories or copies.
Blue Monday
January 15, 2025
A day recorded to acknowledge the post-festive slump, check in with your customers through a thoughtful email.
Offer a special discount to help customers set or reset resolutions.
Get To Know Your Customers Day
January 20, 2025
Float a detailed survey to repeat and loyal customers. Get to know what they like and dislike about your products, website, and customer service.
If you have already conducted previous surveys, then show the results and what actions were taken to offer transparent communication.
International Sweatpants Day
January 21, 2025
A day meant to celebrate comfort and sweatpants (of course!), inspire shoppers on how to “laze in style” – and offer curated bundles to help shoppers get in the zone.
Show how your staff is celebrating Sweatpants Day through an email.
Data Privacy Day
January 28, 2025
Assure shoppers and customers of your website security regarding shopping and payment information through email or website pop-up (remember to make it non-intrusive).
Deck up your store’s banner in a red and gold theme – lead to a dedicated landing page in the leading days to the lunar new year (if you cater to new year-specific products).
Run a custom popup with a design like a red envelope, which a user can interact with, to reveal a discount.
February
From the month of love to honoring black history, February is filled with exciting events.
National Black History Month
Highlight products made by black-owned brands to show support.
Visually tell stories about black-owned brands hosted on your website.
Contribute to organizations that help black-owned businesses.
World Cancer Day
February 4, 2025
Feature a ribbon badge across your store to show your support (but don’t try to upsell or cross-sell).
Pledge a goal that your shoppers can contribute by shopping a particular limited edition product/all products.
Feature cancer survivors or experts – share tips from their POV like how often a person should get screened.
National Pizza Day
February 9, 2025
Offer pizza-themed deals and discounts.
Create a social media contest where customers share their favorite pizza toppings.
Display a sub-category for a few days to feature pizza-themed products.
Super Bowl LIX
February 11, 2025
Gamify your discounts. Ask followers to vote for their favorite teams on social media. Relegate certain mystery discounts if a certain team wins and offer them for a limited time.
Mardi Gras
February 13, 2025
Celebrate the occasion with special BOGO deals for party-goers.
Make it a special day with party-themed categories.
Galentine’s Day
February 13, 2025
Highlight the importance of self-care and self-gifting with clever product bundles that are also budget-friendly.
Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2025
Create and email gift guides to let customers discover new products and categories.
Maximize convenience with make-your-own product bundles.
A great time to launch your spring collection – create solid visuals, and play with time puns like “Spring Forward” to tie in the time and weather aspect.
Share tips on adjusting to the time change and improving sleep quality.
Send wellness-focused emails to highlight certain products that cater to healthy living (whole grains, exercise kits, calming fragrances, etc.).
Announce an exclusive discount for all healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, and caregivers)on your website banner and email list – encourage your customers to share the news, as a way of saying thanks to healthcare providers.
National Pet Day
April 11, 2025
Show photos of your pets in your store’s banner along with a message reminding viewers to pet their pets
Offer a flash sale on pet-related collections.
Tax Day
April 15, 2025
Remind shoppers well in advance, before Tax Day arrives – offer curated bundles that can help with their tax filing experience (office supplies, brain fuel like nuts, coffee, green tea, etc.).
World Art Day
April 15, 2025
Spotlight artists in your team or who are part of your brand.
Engage with your customers through social media to share art through the years and how it has changed the look of your products.
420 Day
April 20, 2025
Float a sitewide 42.0% sale with solid pop-colors and trippy visuals (hint: use AI to create weird combinations).
Launch a gift card in collab with THC/CBD brands and use them for giveaways or clear carts.
As a cultural melting pot, May is the month of diversity and appreciation. Most shoppers are planning for travel and leisure, and brands can cater to those needs.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Support AAPI-owned brands and their messaging on your store.
Celebrate cultural significance with AAPI influencers who can voice their stories.
Comarket with a brand led by an AAPI founder.
Promoting a charity that supports the AAPI community and sharing specific details of their work.
Write a Review Day
May 3, 2025
Ask loyal customers to ‘write a review’ for a reward.
Highlight products that shoppers bought but don’t have any reviews yet to add their experiences.
Star Wars Day
May 4, 2025
Kick off the biggest day in fandom culture with themed product categories.
Include references in your copies and campaigns. “May the Fourth be with you!”
Mother’s Day
May 12, 2025
Curate personalized gift guides and bundle offers suitable for all mothers.
Feature ‘Cat of the Day’ photos from your employees and invite social media followers to share their own.
Donate part of the profits from the day to pet shelters to celebrate your feline friends.
International Dog Day
August 26, 2025
Feature ‘Dog of the Day’ photos from your employees and invite social media followers to share their own.
Donate part of the profits from the day to pet shelters to celebrate every human’s best friend.
Men’s Grooming Day
August 18, 2025
Curate gifting bundles out of men’s grooming products and target women over ads with some clever copywriting.
Feature ‘grooming tips’ in your emails from your employees and launch videos where women try out men’s grooming products to share their opinion on what products they like – and the kind of looks they like on men (resulting in solid social proof).
Pro Tip 🚀
In context with marketing calendars, August is one of the slower months in the year. So this is the best to tally your standing, look into previous books, and prepare for the busy months ahead.
School is starting, fall is here, and everything is cozy. While some are getting their favorite fall drinks, some are celebrating the merriment of Oktoberfest.
Online stores can settle in with cheerful and warm offers for loyal customers and referral programs.
Labor Day
September 2, 2025
Consider highlighting products related to leisure and end-of-summer barbecues.
Deploy retargeting campaigns on high-ticket items.
Show popular pairings with beer – consider offering special deals on beer and food pairings along with partyware.
Share travel tips and route itineraries to engage shoppers (and as always loop in product recommendations from your end).
National Inclusion Week
September 30, 2025 – October 6, 2025
Support, encourage, and celebrate the diversity of your customer base with thoughtful messaging, website features, and offers.
October
October marks the unofficial start of the holiday season in the marketing calendar.
eCommerce brands can ramp up their Black Friday preparations, capitalize on early-bird shoppers, and lay the groundwork for one of the year’s biggest shopping events.
Inbox Zero Day
October 6, 2025
Don’t send any emails!
World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2025
Focus on self-care and wellness while promoting relevant products.
Use empathetic messaging that is respectful yet resonating – like “Take a moment to care for your mind – we hope these will help 😊.”
Share content that educates your audience about mental health and creates a supportive community.
Halloween
October 31, 2025
Plan your campaigns at least a month in advance.
Prank customers with funny ghostly pop-ups on your website.
Add some Halloween-y puns to your product titles or categories.
November is the month when the holiday season officially swings into action, and as many people begin their holiday shopping, others slow down to cherish the festivities.
eCommerce brands have many opportunities to connect with their audiences, offering products and memories that will last a lifetime.
World Vegan Day
November 1, 2025
If you have vegan products or use vegan materials, spotlight the information through visual cues on the website.
Create relevant product categories and share them through email campaigns or social media.
Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 2, 2025
Give shoppers an extension on the Halloween sale.
Tie in the weather and event aspect with puns like “Fall Back” and use visuals of clocks rolling back to show the effect of Daylight Saving Time ending.
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Show appreciation for veterans by offering special deals or discounts on this day.
World Kindness Day
November 13, 2025
Show how shoppers have helped you achieve your brand's goals – and how they can continue spreading kindness.
Ask shoppers to show kindness by sending a gift card or a referral discount friend or a person in need.
World Quality Day
November 14, 2025
Highlight the quality of your products, and share behind the scenes from product manufacturing to how it’s safely delivered to customers.
Run week-long campaigns and sitewide time-sensitive deals.
Thanksgiving
November 28, 2025
Craft themed product categories for better product discovery.
Target early Christmas shoppers with well-crafted bundles and discounts.
Black Friday
November 29, 2025
Offer extended shopping hours, extended returns, and expedited shipping.
Create urgency with real-time updates and stock alerts.
First Day of Advent
November 30, 2025
Create a last chance to grab Advent Calendars (in case you do sell one) .
If you don’t sell calendars, start a countdown to your Christmas Sale on a landing page as well as emails – include a uniquely witty message for each day of Advent – like "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...and a full fridge."
Nudge shoppers that the Holy Season is upon them, and that ‘now is the time to be jolly, with free doorstep shipping.’
December
As the curtain call of the marketing calendar, December is marked by a flurry of festivities, family gatherings, and a heightened spirit of giving.
It's the peak of the gifting season for eCommerce businesses, with consumer spending reaching annual highs.
Cyber Monday
December 2, 2025
Offer early access deals to loyalty program customers.
Drop new products with limited stock to generate buzz.
For retail brands worldwide, the entertainment industry with popular platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram has become the forefront of selling and discovering trends.
Think back to the 50-part reel of ‘who…did I marry’ – Stanley cups going viral – and of course, who can forget the ‘Tuah’?
Taylor Swift’s tour still remained viral – inspiring many stores to create Swiftie products and categories.
In 2025, many movie franchises are making a comeback (Captain America: Brave New World, Jurassic World Rebirth).
Beloved literature will get screen time. (Frankenstein, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare).
The 2000s are back with punk pop, super chill ADHD music, and mashups (Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Morgan Wallen x Post Malone).
Some highly anticipated musicals (Wicked: Part Two, MJ: The Musical)
Fans will be rejoicing in live-action remakes (How To Train Your Dragon, Snow White).
Also, some more super grotesque horror films are coming out in 2025 like: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Final Destination: Bloodlines.
2025 seems to be a year full of retro-nostalgia entertainment trends to look forward to.
4. Generative AI
The breakout star of 2024 has undoubtedly been Generative AI (despite the fails).
ChatGPT can now speak and is now on a side domain. It can still write anything from a haiku to HTML codes in seconds.
But, that's not where it ends – in 2024, eCommerce brands succeeded in leveraging Generative AI to provide not only better creatives but also excellent customer service.
In a McKinsey survey, statistics show
40% of respondents say their organizations will increase their investment in AI overall because of advances in gen AI.
Respondents said that their organization used Gen AI most commonly (14%) for marketing and sales (such as crafting docs, personalized marketing, and summarizing docs).
While there were many things brands did right, 2024 was also a lesson in what marketing strategies didn’t work.
What didn’t work in 2024:
1. AI in search
Google rolled out AI for search – and it was an unmitigated disaster for brands and search engines alike. Here’s why:
Share of search traffic went down rapidly across multiple keywords.
Shoppers have become extremely research-driven.
People are searching for products visually – meaning that prices aren’t the biggest factor.
On-page content like product comparisons, reviews, and service options like returns, shipping, and BNPL payment are purchase drivers
The way out? Focus on creating value-driven product pages that actually answer what shoppers look for.
Consider implementing AI-powered visual search on your store, while keeping a close note of terms your existing shoppers use within your store.
Remember: Nearly 63% of searchers may still be unsure about generative search – but, you as a brand can't afford to miss out.
2. Forced relevance
While eCommerce marketing is always about finding relevance, sometimes it can go the wrong road and alienate customers.
Here’s how forced relevance can have a negative impact on eCommerce marketing:
When shoppers are constantly bombarded with ads that are irrelevant to their interests, they may start to feel frustrated and annoyed. This can lead to them avoiding your brand altogether.
If shoppers start to associate your brand with irrelevant messaging, they may develop a negative perception of your brand. This can make it difficult to attract new customers and retain existing customers.
When you spend money on forced-relevance ads, you're not always sure if those ads are actually reaching the right people. This can lead to wasted marketing spend.
It can be difficult to measure the effectiveness of forced-relevance ads. This is because it's not always clear if users are clicking on your ads because they're interested in your product or because they're simply trying to get rid of the ad.
3. Brand loyalty
More shoppers are ready to spend. However, these shoppers are extremely value-driven – even if it means switching brands.
It isn't just greenwashed products or an ad showing cutting-edge visuals – or the price.
It's about the element of surprise (remember the guerilla marketing for the Alien: Romulus movie) – or, the element of community (the meteoric rise of Smashd, previously Mixoloshe).
The way out?
Be more readily available with better service – over Instagram DMs as well as SMS.
Collaborate with brands that complement your product to bring out curated limited edition products.
4. Interrupted user experiences
One of the biggest threats to UX is interrupted user experiences.
These are experiences where the user is interrupted by something that takes them away from their current task.
This can be anything from a pop-up ad to a slow-loading page.
Interrupted user experiences can have several negative consequences, including:
Increased bounce rates: The bounce rate is the percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page. Interrupted user experiences can increase bounce rates by making it difficult for users to find what they are looking for.
Negative customer sentiment: When users have a negative experience, they are more likely to leave negative reviews or comments. This can damage your brand reputation and make it difficult to attract new customers.
Loss of sales: Interrupted user experiences can lead to lost sales. When users are interrupted, they are more likely to forget what they were looking for or to give up on their purchase altogether.
To avoid interrupted user experiences, it is important to design your site with the shopper in mind.
Make sure that your site is easy to navigate, that pages load quickly, and that there are no unnecessary distractions.
You should also audit your site to see how it can be improved.
2X Your Revenue in 2025
98% of visitors who visit an eCommerce site—drop off without buying anything.
Why: user experience issues that cause friction for visitors.
And this is the problem ConvertCart solves.
We've helped 500+ eCommerce stores (in the US) improve user experience—and 2X their conversions.
How we can help you:
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