Get ready to supercharge your e-commerce sales in 2024 by planning ahead for holidays and celebrations. By organising your campaigns, inventory, and logistics in advance, you’ll be well-prepared to skyrocket your sales on these key dates.

January

26 January: Australia Day

Commemorate the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson – now part of Sydney – in 1788. Australia Day sales usually last the entire weekend, making it the perfect opportunity to boost sales, wrap up the summer season with enticing discounts and clear out summer inventory ahead of autumn.

February

10 February: Lunar New Year

2024 will be the Year of the Dragon for those who celebrate Lunar New Year. The festivities last for 15 days, and different regions in Asia have their own traditions, but there’ll be plenty of people getting together to exchange gifts and well wishes over-elaborate feasts. In the lead up to the Lunar New Year, you can also expect customers to shop for new outfits – especially in red or gold – as well as dragon-themed decorations and accessories.

14 February: Valentine’s Day

This romantic holiday is a prime opportunity for thoughtful and personalised gifting. Consider curating a selection of bespoke items and handwritten notes to cater to the sentimental side of your customers.

16 February – 3 March: Mardi Gras

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, commonly referred to as simply ‘Mardi Gras’, is Australia’s largest celebration of its LGBTQIA+ communities, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to the 17-day blockbuster summer programme of dazzling parades, extravagant parties and theatre events. It’s an ideal occasion for your store to boost sales by curating dedicated collections of LGBTQ+-themed products, as well as colourful party supplies, costumes and accessories.

Consider partnering with LGBTQ+ organisations and donating a portion of your sales proceeds to related causes to demonstrate genuine support for the community, fostering trust and goodwill among consumers. Additionally, showcasing LGBTQ+ representation in your marketing materials and featuring diverse models and influencers can show that your brand acknowledges the significance of this festival.

March

8 March: International Women’s Day

Participate in the global celebration of women’s achievements by offering thoughtful discounts and deals that resonate with the spirit of empowerment and appreciation. Consider supporting a charity that’s dedicated to creating a better future for women and girls, too.

17 March: St Patrick’s Day

Embrace the Irish spirit and launch special promotions featuring green and Irish-themed products or apparel in honour of Saint Patrick’s Day.

29 and 1 April: Good Friday and Easter Monday

For those who celebrate, Easter is a time for families to come together with a feast, easter egg hunts and often, chocolate eggs and toy rabbits. Adding an easter egg hunt on your website or store is a great way to mark the holiday and increase engagement with your customers.

May

12 May: Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a key gift-giving event, with shoppers buying flowers, chocolates, and gifts to show their appreciation for the mothers in their lives. In fact, in 2023, Australians were predicted to spend around $925 million for Mother’s Day.

Celebrate the occasion with different gift guides for Mum’s various needs – whether they’re a new mother who deserves some pampering, or a grandmother with hobby equipment that could use an upgrade.

July

Throughout July: Blak History Month

July is a month to recognize Australia’s rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, and it’s a pivotal time to reflect, celebrate, and educate. Showcase the richness of their culture by featuring products from indigenous creators or those inspired by their heritage. To take part, your store can showcase products designed and created by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to celebrate their culture and diversity. 

You can also use your social media pages to share stories and educate your audience about significant figures and milestones in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history. Collaborations with influencers and thought leaders can add depth to your engagement and demonstrate authentic involvement with the community.

30 July: International Day of Friendship

The International Day of Friendship celebrates the relationships with our chosen family.

Embrace the spirit of camaraderie by offering promotions like Buy One Get One Free or similar deals that celebrate cherished friendships.

September

1 September: Father’s Day

For all the great dads, step dads and even grandads, this day is for them. In 2023, Australians were predicted to spend $860m on Father’s Day, so make sure you meet the demand by curating a gift list for ideas or offering special deals or discounts on select products.

October

29 October: Diwali

Mark the Hindu festival of lights with a vibrant array of offerings, from home decor to indulgent gifts, to provide your customers with a collection that honours this time of joy and renewal.

31 October: Halloween

For many people, Halloween is one of the holidays they look forward to most all year, since it’s a time to go all out and get creative with costumes, themed parties and horror movie marathons. In 2023, Australians were forecasted to spend around $490 million on Halloween celebrations. 

Tap into the excitement around Halloween with special offers on spooky outfit ideas, home decor and snacks to capture the festive spirit. You can also interact with your community through engaging content centred around costume ideas, DIY decorations, or the history of Halloween to increase engagement.

November

5 November: Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is the annual Group 1 thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne, Australia. Most schools and businesses in Victoria, Australia take this day off to either attend, watch from home or simply enjoy the start of the Spring season. It’s a great time to boost sales on clothes, sun hats and visors.

11 November: Singles’ Day

Often dubbed as ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day’, Singles’ Day celebrates single people and their life as it is. Originally started in China, the event has grown steadily around the globe and now sees higher sales than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. Get involved by offering indulgent treats and pampering items that celebrate the essence of self-love.

Want to know more about this giant shopping event? Check out our Singles’ Day guide for e-commerce retailers.

29 November: Black Friday

Black Friday is a global sales bonanza like no other, and a date not to be missed for any online retailer. Shoppers will be on the lookout for special deals for weeks leading up to this day, especially as they have Christmas gifts in mind. In 2023, Australians were forecasted to have spent a whopping $6.3 billion on Black Friday.

Want to learn how to boost your e-commerce sales during Black Friday? Read our tips in our guide, Black Friday 2023: Strategies to maximise sales for online retailers.

December

2 December: Cyber Monday

Gear up for Cyber Monday with a diverse range of discounted products to attract tech-savvy shoppers and deal-seekers alike. Cyber Monday used to be distinct from Black Friday because sales were only held online, but these days it’s often incorporated into the big weekend of sales known as Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM). In 2023, the most popular items Aussies were looking to buy were clothes and shoes, with electronics and gadgets coming in as a close second.

25 December: Christmas Day

Capture the magic of Christmas by offering a captivating array of gifts, decorations, and festive essentials, reflecting the spirit of joy and generosity.

In 2023, Aussies estimated that they would spend about $427 on Christmas presents for their immediate family members – up by 13% from the previous year. To make sure your online store is well-prepared for this mega retail event, read our guide: E-commerce Christmas campaign ideas to boost sales.

26 December: Boxing Day

Boxing Day is synonymous with mega sales. Promote your post-Christmas clearance with a strategic campaign that highlights huge markdowns to entice those eager to snag a deal. Consider marketing this occasion as an opportunity for deal-seekers to treat themselves after a month of gifting to others.

31 December: New Years’ Eve

Encourage customers to embark on a fresh start for the new year with products tailored to their resolutions, hobbies and aspirations for 2024, such as planners, wellness products, travel vouchers, and hobby kits. Engaging with your customers through countdowns to the year and sharing your resolutions can also foster a sense of community and anticipation for the year ahead.

Setting up for a successful 2024 in sales

As you gear up for a year packed with sales potential, you might be wondering: how can you manage all your sales income from different sites and marketplaces – and in multiple different currencies – in one place, in a cost-effective and efficient way? Here’s how we can help.

Meet the World Account: a business account designed for trading in multiple countries. The World Account allows you to open 10+ local currency accounts and connect to 100+ leading marketplaces and online payment gateways, including Amazon, AliExpress, Shopify and PayPal.

With local account details, you’ll be able to set up local currency accounts with us in minutes – without the need for an overseas address. This means you’ll have a hassle-free way to receive your sales revenue in your customers’ local currencies for free. Plus, you can hold funds in the local currency until you need to pay a supplier or bring the money back home at competitive exchange rates. And to help you save even more, you’ll pay zero transaction or currency exchange fees, so you can keep more of your hard-earned profits.