How to plan seasonal promotions to increase sales by 30%?

Seasonal promotions are one of the most effective sales tools. Customers buy more before holidays, in summer, during winter break, or on Black Friday – all you need to do is take advantage of these moments to significantly increase your turnover.
A well-planned campaign can increase sales by up to 30% because it coincides with a period when customer needs are simply growing.

The key is to act proactively and base decisions on data rather than hunches.

Why do seasonal promotions work so well?

At certain times of the year, customers are naturally more inclined to spend money. They have specific needs and goals, so it is easier to convince them that it is worth shopping right now.

Several simple mechanisms are at work here:

• greater willingness to shop – e.g., before holidays or in the summer,
• a sense of limited time (“I’ll buy now because it won’t be available later”),
• a greater propensity to spend – e.g., after payday or before vacation,
• a strong context – the product is easier to “sell” as part of the customer’s seasonal life.

Seasonal marketing in a store works because you’re not fighting for attention from scratch – you’re taking advantage of natural demand.

How to plan a seasonal promotion step by step?

1. Choose the occasion that suits your products.

Not every seasonal promotion works in every industry. The key is to find the right fit:

• cosmetics sell well before Valentine’s Day, Women’s Day, and holidays;
• sports and fitness – at the beginning of the year, in spring, and before summer vacation;
• electronics – Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and December.

A well-chosen opportunity is half the battle.

2. Find out what customers are looking for during this period

Review data from previous years, Google Trends, and industry reports.
Seasonal promotions work best when you promote products that are actually in demand. There’s no room for guesswork here.

3. Plan a simple promotion mechanism.

The most effective promotions are those that customers can understand in a second:

• percentage discounts,
• lower-priced sets,
• free gifts with purchase,
• free delivery,
• limited edition products.

In short, the simpler it is, the higher the conversion rate.

4. Prepare consistent communication across all channels

Customers need to see a promotion several times before they respond.
Therefore, make sure your campaign is visible on:

• the home page and product pages,
• email marketing,
• Instagram, Facebook, TikTok,
• paid ads,
• banners in the store.

The most important thing is a clear message and a specific call to action.

5. Create a sense of limited time

Seasonal promotions sell because they have a deadline.

Works great:

• countdown timer,
• information about the last items available,
• limited number of products,
• “only until Sunday” promotion.

The customer must feel that it is worth buying now, not “later.”

Seasonal promotions – examples that really sell

• “Holiday weekend – 20% off the entire range”
• “Back to school – school sets 15% off”
• “Black Friday – promotion for 24 hours only”

The key is simplicity, a recognizable theme, and a real benefit.

How to run promotions during the holidays and not get lost in the crowd?

When traffic increases, so does competition. That’s why you need to stand out.

The following elements are helpful:

• aesthetic, consistent graphic design,
• a catchy theme,
• a gift guide for undecided customers,
• ready-made sets – customers love choices made for them.

Your task is to make the purchase as easy as possible for the customer.