In 2022, retail online sales in the fourth quarter reached $332.2 billion, a new record, representing 16% of total retail sales and an 18% increase from the final quarter of 2021, according to eMarketer. American consumers spent a record-breaking $211.7 billion online between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, a 3.5% bump from 2021, according to Adobe. During Cyber Five alone — the five days from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday — online shoppers spent $35.5 billion.

And with brands pushing the holiday shopping season ever earlier each year, the more you can plan for deals and events like Amazon Prime Big Deals Day in October and Cyber Five in November, the better equipped you are to capitalize on special incentives throughout the holiday shopping season. Our new Q4 Shopping Calendar is your one-stop, curated guide to the top shopping dates, high-performing merchants, and featured categories for the 2023 holiday season. 

Whether you’re a digital publisher, content creator, social influencer, or app developer, it’s important that you’re up to date on the trends, deals, and consumer habits for the biggest shopping quarter of the year. Remember: holiday success is only the start of a strong affiliate relationship to your readers. Be sure to keep them engaged beyond Q4 by offering them the brands and products they want throughout the rest of the year.

Top Q4 holiday shopping events

The official start to the holiday shopping season begins in October. While most deals will still happen in November, 2023 is shaping up to be similar to last year. According to Dentsu, 46% of consumers say they will focus on Amazon Prime Big Deal Days for holiday shopping, nearly as high as those for Black Friday (50%).

Keep in mind, not every opportunity will be a good fit for your audience. Regardless of seasonal trends, it’s important to stay true to your brand and analyze past performance when mapping out your affiliate strategy.

October is so much more than just Halloween (although it would be frightful to miss out on spooky season!), with many brands and retailers pushing up their timetable to get in front of the highly competitive holiday shopping season. Kick off Q4 with early holiday promotions.

Key dates:

• October 1-7: Target Circle Days
• October 9-12: Walmart Deals for Days
• October 10-11: Amazon Prime Big Deal Days (click here for the best Amazon deals and earn up to 20% CPA )
• October 31: Halloween

With Cyber Five coming up, retailers will seek to capture shopper attention with special deals and promotions. Most consumers spend an average of 18 days searching prior to making a purchase, so be sure to have your affiliate content in place well in advance of the Cyber Five weekend.

Key dates: 

• November 11: Singles Day (China)
• November 23-28: Cyber Five
• November 23: Thanksgiving Day
• November 24: Black Friday
• November 25: Small Business Saturday
• November 27: Cyber Monday
• November 28: Giving Tuesday

The first half of December is still important for holiday shopping as brands and merchants make their final push. Many are still comparison shopping and searching for deals, so show your readers the best offers.

Key dates: 

• December 18-26: Hanukkah
• December 24/25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• December 26: Boxing Day (UK)
• December 31/January 1: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

If you’re already working with Sovrn Commerce for your affiliate marketing, our support team is standing by with additional information on top deals and merchants for Q4. Not a Commerce customer? Sign up now! It only takes a few minutes, and you can start earning as soon as you’re approved.

The post Make Q4 Your Best Ever appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

Summer is in full swing and some of the biggest annual sales from top retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Nordstrom are just around the corner. The summer vacation season kicks into high gear during July and August, putting the focus on sectors like travel and outdoor gear. August is also prime time for back-to-school shopping and end-of-summer sales, so make sure your content reflects these important events.

Remember – it’s never too early to start thinking about your Q4 affiliate content, since the year-end holidays will be here before you know it. Keep an eye out for early Black Friday offers from merchants looking to beat the November rush. 

Ready to get started? Read on for highlights of our curated list of top shopping dates. 

Want the full scoop? Download the Q3 Shopping Calendar for details on high-performing merchants and featured categories.

Top holidays and shopping events of Q3

You may already have some content ideas for the coming months, but it’s important to look beyond the obvious if you want to keep your readers’ attention all year long. To help you keep up with the top earning opportunities — and those you might have overlooked — make sure you check out our complete overview of upcoming events, shopping occasions, high-performing merchants and top categories. 

Keep in mind that not every opportunity will be a good fit for your audience. Regardless of seasonal trends, it’s critical to stay true to your brand and analyze your past performance when mapping out your affiliate strategy.

July

July brings the hottest weather of the year along with the biggest annual sales from several top retailers. Summer travel and outdoor activities are in full swing, which means plenty of opportunities – but keep in mind, your readers are busy enjoying the moment! So keep your content light and engaging.

Key Dates:

• July 4: Independence Day
• July 10-13: Walmart+ Week
• July 10-12: Best Buy Black Friday in July
• July 11-12: Amazon Prime Day
• July 11- August 6: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

August

With summer wrapping up and school right around the corner, many consumers are hoping to get some last-minute shopping done. Be sure to highlight deals on home goods, school supplies, and other items that will ease the transition into the busy fall months.

Key Dates:

• Back to school: More than ever, back-to-school shoppers are searching for deals, so focus on everything school-related from clothing and crayons to supplies, laptops and tablets, and items for college dorm rooms.
• End of summer sales: The end of August signals the coming of cooler weather and a new season, so watch for retailers offering big savings on big-ticket summer items like grills and patio furniture.

September

September begins with a list of fresh starts: football, school, and fall fashion. For some, this marks a welcome change while others are dreading the loss of warm weather and longer days. Either way, the sales, particularly for Labor Day Weekend, are sure to get anyone excited with great savings on furniture, school supplies, clothing, and travel.

Key Dates:

• September 5: Labor Day
• TBA: Keep an eye out for news of Apple’s annual fall product release

Download your copy of our Q3 calendar

If you’re already working with Sovrn Commerce for your affiliate marketing, our support team is standing by with additional information on top deals and high-performing merchants for Q3.

Not a Commerce customer? Sign up now! It only takes a few minutes, and you can start earning as soon as you’re approved.

The post Black Friday in July? Get the details in our Q3 Shopping Calendar appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

Spring is in the air, which means now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your affiliate marketing program. From beach vacations, road trips, and adventuring in the outdoors to home improvement and gardening, the spring season has a wealth of opportunities to promote deals. 

Holidays like Easter, Passover, Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day are all here, along with notable standards such as tax season and Mother’s Day. Make sure you are ready to capitalize with deals on travel, entertaining, outdoor decor, tax services and more to take full advantage of what the quarter has to offer.

Ready to get started? Check out our curated list of high-performing merchants and categories in the Q2 Shopping Calendar.

Q2 Top holidays and shopping events

You may have plans in place for the coming months, but it’s important to look beyond the most obvious dates on the calendar. To help you keep up with the many potential earning opportunities, we’ve compiled this overview of upcoming events and holidays. 

Keep in mind, this list isn’t comprehensive and not every opportunity will be a good fit for your audience. Regardless of seasonal trends, you need to stay true to your brand and analyze past performance (both products and merchants) when mapping out your future affiliate strategy.

April

April showers bring May flowers! And just like the variation in the month’s weather, there are quite a few different shopping seasons that kick off this month — including wedding season, home buying/selling season, and summer travel season. Add the month’s holidays to the mix, and you’ll see there’s a lot to celebrate in April.

Key Dates

• April 9: Easter Sunday
• April 18: Tax Day (US)
• April 22: Earth Day

May

May is a prime month for graduations and summer vacation planning, and another busy month in the wedding industry. That means plenty of shopping for everything from gifts and housewares to travel accessories, clothing, and shoes. It’s also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so this is a great time to celebrate Asian culture in your content and partner with Asian-owned businesses for deals and promotions.

Key Dates

• May 4: Star Wars Day
• May 5: Cinco de Mayo
• May 6: The Kentucky Derby
• May 14: Mother’s Day (US)
• May 29: Memorial Day (US)

June

June marks the official start of summer, so shoppers will be looking for deals on products for travel, entertaining, gardening, beach days, and other outdoor activities. It’s also Pride Month, so consider featuring LGBTQIA+ focused deals and merchants if they’re a good fit for your brand.

Key Dates

• June 3: World Bicycle Day
• June 14: Flag Day (US)
• June 18: Father’s Day
• June 19: Juneteenth

If you’re already working with Sovrn Commerce for your affiliate marketing, our support team is standing by with additional information on top deals and high-performing merchants for Q2. 

Not earning with Sovrn Commerce? Sign up now! It only takes a few clicks, and you can start earning affiliate marketing revenue as soon as you’re approved.

The post Freshen Up Your Affiliate Program with Our Q2 Shopping Calendar appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

Whether you’re a content publisher, social influencer, or affiliate marketer, it’s important that you’re up to date on yearly shopping habits. Key seasonal trends and shopping holidays offer an opportunity for you to showcase related content and be on the lookout for merchant deals and top-performing categories that you can promote to your audience. 

To see the most up-to-date commission rates and check your merchant approval status, visit our Merchant Explorer.

Pro tip: Stay true to your brand and be sure and review your best-performing merchants and products from the previous year. 

Top Holidays and Shopping Events in Q1

To help you keep up with the many potential earning opportunities this quarter we’ve compiled this overview of upcoming events and holidays. While the period following the new year is traditionally slower than the rest of the year, Q1 still presents great earning opportunities. 

Chinese Lunar New Year, the Super Bowl, and Valentine’s Day are top opportunities to create theme-focused deals, while the Grammys, Golden Globes, and Oscars are perfect for sharing “service-driven” content and streaming services. January also marks the beginning of tax season, and service-oriented tax content performs well from January
through April.

January

Capitalize on new year’s resolutions by sharing fitness, healthy eating, and lifestyle content. Many customers may also be ready to spend with gift cards from the holidays, so post “use your gift card” promotions.

• 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 22 Lunar Chinese New Year
• 23 National Pie Day

February

It may be the shortest month of the year, but February is packed with events, holidays, and opportunities to earn.

• 10-15  New York Fashion Week
• 12  Super Bowl LVI
• 13 Galentine’s Day
• 14  Valentine’s Day
• 21  President’s Day

March

As spring approaches, look for opportunities to share home improvement-related content and merchants. Many people will be taking vacations to warmer destinations so get ready for spring break deals to hit from March until mid-April.

• 8  International Women’s Day
• 14  Pi Day
• 17  St. Patrick’s Day
• 19  Mother’s Day (UK)
• 26  Nike Air Max Day

Earn More with Sovrn Commerce

Sign up now! It only takes a few clicks, and you can start earning affiliate marketing revenue immediately.

The post Kickstart 2023 with Our Q1 Shopping Calendar appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

The 2022 holiday season may look a little different from past years, as online retailers grapple with rising inflation, continued supply chain issues, and the recovery of brick-and-mortar shopping. Despite these challenges, survey results indicate that consumers are ready and willing to shop. 

That’s good news for affiliate marketers — but only if you know what to expect this holiday season so you can optimize your strategy for the year’s unique holiday trends. For example, have you noticed that retailers are kicking off their holiday promotions earlier every year? The vast majority of consumers now start their holiday shopping before Black Friday, so you can expect that trend to continue. We’ve already seen major retailers like Amazon announce early-season shopping events — so if you don’t have your holiday commerce content plans in place, it’s time to get started.

No matter what subject matter you cover, you’ll likely see deals, coupons, and special shopping events pop up throughout the busy shopping season. The key is knowing which categories and merchants to target — and when. 

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Sovrn’s new Q4 Shopping Calendar is your one-stop, curated guide to the top shopping dates, high-performing merchants, and featured categories for the 2022 holiday season. 

Top holidays and shopping events of Q4

Of course you’ve got content planned for the biggest holiday events (like Black Friday and Cyber Monday) but you need to go beyond the obvious if you want to get the most out of the holiday season. To help you keep up with all the earning opportunities during this busy quarter, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the season’s holidays and shopping events.

Keep in mind, not every opportunity will be a good fit for your audience. Regardless of seasonal trends, it’s important to stay true to your brand and analyze past performance when mapping out your affiliate strategy.

October is dominated by the spooky season of Halloween, but it also brings the start of holiday shopping. While deal volume traditionally picks up in November, retailers have started promotions earlier in recent years — and letting them run later. Now is the time to prepare for the coming holiday rush.

Key dates:

• October 11-12: Amazon Early Access Sale
• October 31: Halloween

November is the true start to the holiday shopping season, and the five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday (known as the “Cyber Five”) is now the biggest shopping weekend of the year. But if your audience includes the Asian market, don’t ignore lesser-known shopping holidays. 

Key dates: 

• November 11: Singles Day (China)
• November 24: Black Friday
• November 25: Thanksgiving Day
• November 25: Small Business Saturday
• November 27: Cyber Monday
• November 28: Giving Tuesday

The biggest shopping weekend of the year may be over, but shoppers are still looking for deals in the first half of December — and even beyond. Many of the Cyber Five merchants will have additional sales during this time as part of their final holiday push. Outside the US, Boxing Day provides another chance to earn affiliate revenue before the new year.

Key dates: 

• December 18-26: Hanukkah
• December 24/25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• December 26: Boxing Day (UK)
• December 31/January 1: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

If you’re already working with Sovrn Commerce for your affiliate marketing, our support team is standing by with additional information on top deals and merchants for Q4. Not a Commerce customer? Sign up now! It only takes a few minutes, and you can start earning as soon as you’re approved.

The post Gearing Up for the Holidays? Our Q4 Shopping Calendar Can Help appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

The summer vacation season kicks into high gear during July and August, putting the focus on sectors like travel and outdoor gear. August is also prime time for back-to-school shopping and end-of-summer sales, so make sure your content reflects these important events.

And, it’s never too early to start thinking about your Q4 affiliate content, since the year-end holidays will be here before you know it. Keep an eye out for early Black Friday offers from merchants looking to beat the November rush. 

Ready to get started? Read on for highlights of our curated list of top shopping dates. 

Want the full scoop? Download the Q3 Shopping Calendar for details on high-performing merchants and featured categories.

Top holidays and shopping events of Q3

You may already have some content ideas for the coming months, but it’s important to look beyond the obvious if you want to keep your readers’ attention all year long. To help you keep up with the top earning opportunities — and those you might have overlooked — make sure you check out our complete overview of upcoming events, shopping occasions, high-performing merchants and top categories. 

Keep in mind that not every opportunity will be a good fit for your audience. Regardless of seasonal trends, it’s critical to stay true to your brand and analyze your past performance when mapping out your affiliate strategy.

July

July brings the hottest weather of the year along with the biggest annual sales from several top retailers. Summer travel and outdoor activities are in full swing, which means plenty of opportunities – but keep in mind, your readers are busy enjoying the moment! So keep your content light and engaging.

Key Dates:

• July 4: Independence Day
• July 9-31: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
• July 12-13: Amazon Prime Day

August

With summer wrapping up and school right around the corner, many consumers are hoping to get some last-minute shopping done. Be sure to highlight deals on home goods, school supplies, and other items that will ease the transition into the busy fall months.

Key Dates:

• Back to school: Shoppers’ priorities may be a little different this year, given the surging inflation that’s impacting household budgets. Expect more deal-seekers and help your readers get the most out of every dollar.
• End of summer sales: The end of August signals the coming of cooler weather and a new season, so watch for retailers offering big savings on big-ticket summer items like grills and patio furniture.

September

September begins with a list of fresh starts: football, school, and fall fashion. For some, this marks a welcome change while others are dreading the loss of warm weather and longer days. Either way, the sales are sure to get anyone excited with great savings on furniture, school supplies, clothing, and travel.

Key Dates:

• September 5: Labor Day
• September 9-14: New York Fall Fashion Week
• September TBD: Keep an eye out for news of Apple’s annual fall product release

Download your copy of our Q3 calendar

If you’re already working with Sovrn Commerce for your affiliate marketing, our support team is standing by with additional information on top deals and high-performing merchants for Q3.

Not a Commerce customer? Sign up now! It only takes a few minutes, and you can start earning as soon as you’re approved.

The post Looking for Inspiration? Our Q3 Shopping Calendar Can Help! appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

After the usual holiday hangover in the early months of the year, retail sales tend to heat up — along with the temperatures — as we move into Q2.  Consumer attention turns toward vacations, outdoor adventures, and social activities, putting the focus on sectors like travel, outdoor gear, and home improvement. We expect this will be even more true in 2022 as Covid-related concerns continue to recede. 

Mother’s Day typically provides the biggest shopping opportunity of the quarter, but Memorial Day and Father’s Day sales have increased dramatically in recent years. So be sure your affiliate strategy reflects these holidays, as well. And if you haven’t checked in with your customers since the Q4 holidays, this is a great time to reconnect and start building long-term loyalty.

Ready to get started? Check out our curated list of high-performing merchants and categories in the Q2 Shopping Calendar.

Top holidays and shopping events in Q2 2022

You may have plans in place for the coming months, but it’s important to look beyond the most obvious dates on the calendar. To help you keep up with the many potential earning opportunities, we’ve compiled this overview of upcoming events and holidays. 

Keep in mind, this list isn’t comprehensive and not every opportunity will be a good fit for your audience. Regardless of seasonal trends, you need to stay true to your brand and analyze past performance (both products and merchants) when mapping out your future affiliate strategy.

April

April showers bring May flowers! And just like the variation in the month’s weather, there are quite a few different shopping seasons that kick off this month — including wedding season, home buying/selling season, and summer travel season. Add the month’s holidays to the mix, and you’ll see there’s a lot to celebrate in April.

Key Dates

• April 17: Easter Sunday
• April 18: Tax Day (US)
• April 22: Earth Day

May

May is a prime month for graduations and summer vacation planning, and another busy month in the wedding industry. That means plenty of shopping for everything from gifts and housewares to travel accessories, clothing, and shoes. It’s also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so this is a great time to celebrate Asian culture in your content and partner with Asian-owned businesses for deals and promotions.

Key Dates

• May 4: Star Wars Day
• May 5: Cinco de Mayo
• May 7: 148^th Kentucky Derby
• May 8: Mother’s Day (US)
• May 30: Memorial Day (US)

June

June marks the official start of summer, so shoppers will be looking for deals on products for travel, entertaining, gardening, beach days, and other outdoor activities. It’s also Pride Month, so consider featuring LGBTQIA+ focused deals and merchants if they’re a good fit for your brand.

Key Dates

• June 3: World Bicycle Day
• June 14: Flag Day (US)
• June 19: Father’s Day
• June 19: Juneteenth

If you’re already working with Sovrn Commerce for your affiliate marketing, our support team is standing by with additional information on top deals and high-performing merchants for Q2. 

Not earning with Sovrn Commerce? Sign up now! It only takes a few clicks, and you can start earning affiliate marketing revenue as soon as you’re approved.

The post Freshen Up Your Affiliate Program with Our Q2 Shopping Calendar appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

If you’re like us, you’re probably still catching your breath after the busy holiday season. From Black Friday through New Year’s Eve, the last two months of each year are a nonstop opportunity for affiliate marketers — but holiday shopping opportunities are the gift that keeps on giving! In the world of ecommerce, every day is worth celebrating.

The first few months of the year are traditionally slower, but annual events like Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl drive a massive amount of retail sales. If you’re not planning your affiliate strategy around some of these “other” holidays, you’re leaving money on the table. See our most recent merchant offers.

And don’t forget all those new customers who found their way to your content during the holidays. Whether you’re a website publisher, a social influencer, a search engine provider, or an app developer, this is the perfect time to reconnect with your new audience, create deeper relationships, and start building loyalty by demonstrating your ongoing value.

Want to get started? Check out our curated list of high-performing merchants and categories in the Q1 Shopping Calendar.

Top Holidays and Shopping Events in Q1 2022

You may already have plans for the biggest events of the coming months, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. To help you keep up with the many potential earning opportunities we’ve compiled this overview of upcoming events and holidays. 

Keep in mind that the list isn’t exhaustive and not every opportunity will be a good fit for your audience. Regardless of seasonal trends, it’s important to stay true to your brand and look at past performance (both products and merchants) when mapping out your affiliate strategy.

Consumers may not be looking to spend money after the holidays, but a lot of them have gift cards burning a hole in their pocket – so why not run some “use your gift card” promotions? January also marks the beginning of tax season in the US, so service-oriented content and merchants like TurboTax and H&R Block tend to perform well from January through April.

• 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 23 National Pie Day
• Date TBD 64 Annual Grammy Awards

It may be the shortest month of the year, but February is packed with events, holidays, and opportunities to earn. It’s also Black History Month, so this is a great time to celebrate Black culture in your content and partner with Black-owned businesses for deals and promotions.

• 1  Lunar (Chinese) New Year
• 2  Groundhog Day
• 4-20  XXIV Winter Olympic Games
• 10-13  New York Fashion Week
• 13  Super Bowl LVI
• 14  Valentine’s Day
• 21  President’s Day

Look for opportunities to share content and deals related to spring fashion, spring cleaning, and home improvement. Also keep in mind, spring break means many people will be taking vacations — so don’t forget those travel and hospitality merchants.

• 8  International Women’s Day
• 14  Pi Day
• 17  St. Patrick’s Day
• 26  Nike Air Max Day
• 27  Mother’s Day (UK)

If you’re already a Sovrn Commerce affiliate partner, our support team is standing by with even more information on Q1 deals and high-performing merchants. You can also visit our Merchant Explorer to get the most current commission rates and check your merchant approval status.

Not earning with Sovrn Commerce? Sign up now! It only takes a few clicks, and you can start earning affiliate marketing revenue immediately.

The post New Year, New Holiday Shopping Season appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..

That’s good news for affiliate marketers, but only if you understand the seasonal trends and optimize your strategy for the busy holiday season. No matter which channels you’re leveraging — commerce content, social media, curated shopping, app-based discovery, monetized search traffic, or all of the above — you should be planning your content now for the biggest shopping quarter of the year.  

Many merchants offer coupons, deals, and other special incentives that can help you earn more during the holidays. The trick is knowing which categories and merchants to target — and when. 

Sovrn’s new Q4 Shopping Season Calendar is your one-stop guide to high-performing merchants, key categories, and important shopping holidays for the 2021 holiday season. Here are just a few of the insights you’ll find in this free download.

October

While Halloween is the primary selling holiday in October, some merchants will offer “early bird” deals to entice shoppers to get a jump on their holiday spending — especially in categories like fashion, home & garden, electronics, and fitness. And is it possible we may see new October dates for Amazon’s Prime Day deals?

November

Everyone knows about “Cyber 5” — the five days from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. But what about Singles’ Day? In China, unmarried people celebrate their singleton status by treating themselves to gifts, making Singles’ Day the world’s largest online shopping day — and an incredible opportunity for smart affiliate marketers. (Don’t worry, we’ve also got plenty of tips to help maximize your Cyber-weekend earnings!)

December

While November may provide the biggest shopping weekend of the year, there’s still plenty of opportunity in the first half of December — and beyond. Many merchants will continue to push for sales during the first two weeks of December, and last-minute shoppers are driving a huge increase in Christmas Eve sales of gift cards and digital gifts. Don’t forget about Boxing Day shopping in the UK and other Commonwealth nations!

Download the Q4 Shopping Season Calendar for more details, as well as tips and insights to drive more affiliate revenue this holiday season. When you’re ready to start earning with Sovrn Commerce, you can sign up here or visit our website to learn more. 

Get Started Today

If you’re already a Sovrn Commerce affiliate partner, our support team is standing by with the latest information on Q4 deals and high-performing merchants. You can also visit our Merchant Explorer to get the most current commission rates and check your merchant approval status.

The post Maximize Your Holiday Earnings with our Q4 Shopping Season Calendar! appeared first on Sovrn, Inc..