I've put together a complete month-by-month key dates calendar for those who run an online e-commerce store or retail shop.
Use this to plan your 2022 marketing strategy and know when to delight your consumers and increase sales.
Let's get stuck in!
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January 2022
January is the perfect month to introduce your brand to new potential customers. With post-holiday sales and customers looking for ways to spend their Christmas money, it's an excellent time to promote your brand.
Get to know your customers day is another incredible opportunity to nurture and build relationships with current and future customers. Instead of communicating with your customers through offers and promos, let them take the stage on this day. Create Q&A sessions on social media, listen to their needs and wants, and make them feel valued.
1st January – New Year's Day
1st – 31st January – Dry January
1st – 31st January – Ginuary
1st – 31st January – Veganuary
6th January – National Shortbread Day
17th January – Blue Monday
20th January - GetTo Know Your Customers Day
25th January – Burns Night
26th January – Australia Day
27th January – Chocolate Cake Day
February 2022
With New Year resolutions most likely to have been discarded, February is a perfect month to re-invent yourself. Significant key dates such as Valentine's Day, World Nutella Day and Shrove Tuesday offers the ideal chance to position your brand to those seeking a new purpose or desire. Don't let anyone resist the temptation of your top products or services.
Black History Month, throughout February
Black History Month originated in the US for commemorating achievements by African-Americans in US history, but currently, it's celebrated all over the world. Use this month to show some love and support to your customers.
Winter Olympics
One of the most significant multi-sport events globally, the XXIV Winter Olympic Games are sure to attract vast audiences of sports enthusiasts and supporters. Engage with your customers on social media, ask them about their favourite disciplines, or launch some fresh sportswear to make the cheering more fun.
Singles Awareness Day
Singles Awareness Day is like Valentine's Day but for single people. This day celebrates being single, with people treating themselves and their friends. Add this date to your sales calendar and create funny, witty, or just heartwarming products for those who embrace being single during this time of the year.
1st February – Chinese New Year (Year of the Tiger)
1st – 28th February – LGBT History Month
4th February – World Cancer Day
5th February – World Nutella Day
6th February – Yorkshire Pudding Day
9th February – National Pizza Day
14th February – Valentine's Day
17th February – Random Act of Kindness Day
20th February – Love Your Pet Day
March 2022
It's coming to the end of the cold winter months and hopefully the sign of better weather. Latch on to the happier and more cheerful moods that warmer days bring, and look to introduce your turning spring merchandise. Also, show your friends and family support by celebrating International Women's Day or Mother's Day with some dedicated campaigns that bring loyal customers back to your store to shop for their loved ones.
International Day of Happiness
The International Day of Happiness by The General Assembly of the United Nations. This day emphasises the relevance of happiness as a universal goal in human lives. To celebrate, kick off some happy discounts and ask your audience to share some positive stories with you in exchange for a chance to get featured on your website or social media platform!
First Day of Spring
This event marks the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Cheer up your sun-deprived customers with a promotion. Use this excellent opportunity to draw attention to seasonal products.
1st March – Shrove Tuesday
1st March – St David's Day
1st March – Pancake Day
2nd March – Ash Wednesday
3rd March – World Book Day
8th March – International Women's Day
10th March – Popcorn Lovers Day
13th March – BAFTA's
17th March – St Patrick's Day
20th March – First Day of Spring
20th March - International Day of Happiness
25th March – International Waffle Day
27th March – Mother's Day
27th March – BST starts
April 2022
April is officially the best month! Not just because it's my birth month ;). But the weather is getting better now, Easter is around the corner, and you can go out and do more. But as Easter approaches, it's time to start thinking about the retail marketing strategies you'll be using for your brands. Also, celebrate National Pet Day by getting customers to tag themselves, their pet and your product in a picture on your most used social media account for a chance to win something.
Earth Day
The 22nd of April marks the anniversary of the environmental movement founded in 1970. On this day, countries around the world hold events to support environmental protection. If this cause is important to you and your business, let your customers know about it. Share your thoughts, personal stories, introduce a product supporting the movement, or create a charity campaign.
1st April – April Fool's Day
3rd April – Ramadan Start
10th April – Siblings Day
11th April – National Pet Day
15th April – Good Friday
17th April – Easter Sunday
18th April – Easter Monday
19th April – Bicycle Day
21st April – National Tea Day
22nd April – Earth Day
23rd April – St George's Day
May 2022
With the return of summer, you can celebrate World Cocktail Day or send shoppers back to the kitchen with baking or biscuit incentives.
Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision is the biggest song contest in Europe, where each participating country nominates one artist to represent them. It's known for its impressive costumes and performances. This year, Eurovision will take its place in Italy as the country won the right to host the contest when their rock band Måneskin won the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest.
National Smile Day
A smile is the best accessory to wear on this day! It's a good day for a selfie contest—encourage your customers to combine their smiles with your products. #nationalsmileday
1st May – End of Ramadan
1st May – Labour Day (UK)
2nd May – Early May Bank Holiday
4th May – Star Wars Day
11th May – National Eat What You Want Day
13th May – World Cocktail Day
16th May – International Day of Light
17th May – World Baking Day
20th May – World Bee Day
29th May – National Biscuit Day
31st May – Spring Bank Holiday
June 2022
You have a whole month of events coming up in June! World Gin Day, National Beer Day, Father's Day and the beginning of summer will give you enough ideas to fire up some social media campaigns. If you're willing to engage in a month-long event, why not sponsor your local pride community to build your brand?
World Environment Day
The United Nations created World Environment Day to motivate businesses, governments, celebrities, and citizens to pay closer attention to current environmental issues. If your brand is environmentally conscious, this is an appropriate time to promote eco-friendly products.
1st June – Global Day of Parents
1st June – 30th – Pride Month
2nd June – Spring Bank Holiday
3rd June – Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday
5th June - World Environment Day
11th June – World Gin Day
15th June – National Beer Day (UK)
19th June – Father's Day
21st June – International Day of Yoga
21st June – Summer Solstice
21st June – Beginning of Summer
22nd – 26th June – Glastonbury Festival
25th June – Midsummer's Day
27th June – Wimbledon Starts (ends 10th July)
July 2022
Oh, how we love July. The weather is good, everything and everyone seems happier how the summer period can improve things. Well, this is not always the case for online businesses. With people outside and not online as much, you need to spike peoples interests. Think of a campaign that relates to family activities or events. Seeing as schools break up this time of year, you could boost your sales with a complete family offer.
World Chocolate Day
Everyone of all ages loves chocolate! Dark, milk, white—you name it, everyone will have a preference! Use this day as an excellent opportunity to give your customers some sweet discounts or promote choco-themed promotions.
4th July – American Independence Day
7th July – World Chocolate Day
17th July – World Emoji Day
25th July – School Holidays (differs per school)
26th July – Back to School (ends early September)
30th July – Islamic New Year
30th July – International Day of Friendship
31st July – National Avocado Day
August 2022
Everyone is officially in holiday mode, and it can be hard to get your customers attention. Like July, consumers will be less and less online with the hot long summer nights. Therefore, you may have to become more specific with how you communicate and target your potential consumers.
International Dog Day
This has to be one of my favourite days of the year. Dogs are a man's best friend, and they deserve their own day of celebration. They give us unconditional love.
1st August – Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)
5th August – International Beer Day
8th August – International Cat Day
9th August – Book Lovers Day
19th August – World Photography Day
25th August – National Burger Day
26th August – National Dog Day
29th August – Summer Bank Holiday
September 2022
In September, adults go back to work, and Kids have to go back to school. That's an ideal time to offer some promotions and price discounts to your customer base. Offer a back to school/work discount or promotional campaign.
First Day of Fall
The First Day of Fall means pumpkin-spice everything, and yes, getting your wardrobe fall and winter-ready. If you have customers in the Northern Hemisphere, this is the time to start promoting your new Autumn fall collection or products.
1st September – Autumn Begins
5th September – Back to School (differs per school)
6th September – Labour Day (US)
6th September – Read a Book Day
12th September – National Chocolate Milkshake Day
16th September – World Guacamole Day
27th September – World Tourism Day
October 2022
Here we go! Quarter four is where things start popping off for eCommerce and online businesses. Studies show that nearly 57% of brands see their sales spike in the fourth quarter. Make sure you spend time preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday; it comes around very fast in November.
International Coffee Day
The International Coffee Day celebrates the one drink that helps so many of us combat our inner Monday monsters. Engage with your audience by asking them to share photos of their favourite blends.
Halloween
Halloween is full of fun costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive decorations. Halloween is anything but serious. Use this day to run a special promotion full of spooky treats.
1st – 31st October – Black History Month (UK)
1st – 31st October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
1st – 31st October – Go Sober for October (Stopober)
1st October – International Coffee Day
1st October – World Vegetarian Day
10th October – World Mental Health Day
16th October – World Food Day
22nd October – National Nut Day
25th October – World Pasta Day
26th October – National Pumpkin Day
29th October – National Cat Day
30th October – BST ends
31st October – Halloween
November 2022
This is the month most retailers love and hate the most at the same time. No other month in the year is as busy, exciting and nerve-racking. Make sure your inventory levels and sales plans are up-to-date. The week before Black Friday can be as active as Black Friday itself. And even if you don't sell tech, make sure your top sellers are discounted and promoted on Cyber Monday.
International Men's Day
While not as commercial as Women's Day, International Men's Day celebrates the achievements of boys and men in the family, work, school, and other areas of life. International Men's Day is good for promoting or adding some best selling male products.
Cyber Monday
The Monday after Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, is the biggest online spending holiday. More and more people have been shopping on Cyber Monday in recent years, and retailers offer even more significant discounts than on Black Friday.
1st – 30th November – Movember (Men's Health Awareness Month)
1st November – World Vegan Day
5th November – Guy Fawkes Night
11th November – Remembrance Day
13th November – Remembrance Sunday
25th November – Black Friday
28th – November – Cyber Monday
30th November – St Andrew's Day
December 2022
Demand for online businesses is still high in December, as everyone searches for Christmas gifts for their loved ones. Make sure you promote and discount your most giftable products with a clear lead-time promise. So your customers understand until which day they can shop for their order to arrive in time for Christmas.
National Free Shipping Day
Luke Knowles started the National Free Shipping Day in 2008. He realised that promoting free shipping and guaranteed Christmas Day delivery would encourage online shopping. The event was successful and became one of the top 10 highest-earning days in e-commerce during that year's holiday season.
Winter Solstice
Winter solstice is the darkest day of the year, so make your marketing activities the opposite. Provide light, yellow and bursts of energy in your promotions.
4th December – National Cookie Day
14th December – Christmas Jumper Day
21st December – Winter Solstice
25th December – Christmas Day
26th December – Boxing Day
28th December – Bank Holiday
31st December – New Year's Eve
Finishing Up
Every holiday or event is an opportunity to build your brand awareness and drive sales. To see results, you need to start preparing your holiday marketing campaigns ahead of time.
Now that you know all the key marketing dates you need to look out for in 2022, get planning! If you would like an in-depth marketing calendar personalised to your business and done for you! Get in touch by clicking here.
If you would like to have this as a printable PDF version, click here (Coming Soon).
Thanks for reading.
Jack Willoughby
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