Creative Holiday Promotions to Boost Your Sales in 2024

Are you ready to increase sales during the holiday season? Whether you’re a small business or a large retailer, these holiday promotional ideas for 2024 will help you stand out.

From unique promotional ideas for Christmas to strategies for Black Friday flash sales, this guide is packed with creative ways to engage your audience.

We'll cover everything from holiday email marketing tips to crafting the perfect holiday-themed loyalty program - and if you want to get ahead and start planning for 2025, we’ve got you covered with our brand new Loyalty Promotion Calendar.

Read on to discover the best holiday marketing ideas that will help your business shine during the busiest shopping season of the year

What is the trend in holiday marketing in 2024?

In 2024, holiday marketing is evolving with a focus on personalization and early shopping. A growing number of consumers are beginning their holiday shopping as early as June, driven by exclusive early-bird offers and promotions.

E-commerce is expected to break records, with sales reaching $271.58 billion USD, a growth of 9.5% over 2023. Meanwhile, in-store sales are projected to increase 3.7%, reaching $1.1 trillion USD.

Sustainability is also a key trend in holiday marketing strategies, with more brands adopting eco-friendly packaging and showcasing socially responsible practices.

Additionally, AI-driven personalisation is reshaping marketing strategies, allowing businesses to offer tailored recommendations based on consumer behaviour.

Omnichannel experiences are vital, with seamless integration across in-store, online, and mobile platforms becoming essential for engaging holiday shoppers effectively.

How do you attract customers on holidays?

Attracting customers during the holidays requires a mix of strategic planning and engaging promotions.

• Start by creating a comprehensive holiday marketing plan that includes early promotions to capture attention.
• Offer irresistible deals like free shipping, exclusive holiday discounts, and limited-time bundles.
• Use personalised email campaigns to engage your existing customer base, and incentivise larger purchases through rewards or loyalty programs.
• Don’t forget to leverage social media by encouraging festive participation with contests or giveaways.
• Show appreciation for your customers by offering special thank-you gifts or discounts for repeat purchases.

What are the best holiday marketing strategies for businesses in 2024?

In 2024, consumer expectations are higher than ever, with trends evolving and digital channels expanding at a rapid pace.

To stand out is essential to have a well-crafted marketing strategy that resonates with your audience and leverages the latest industry insights.

From personalised digital campaigns to emerging channels like connected TV and m-commerce, these strategies will help businesses of all sizes capture attention, drive sales, and make the most of the holiday rush.

Ready to discover the best holiday marketing strategies for 2024? Let’s dive in.

1. Exclusive Christmas promotions

There’s nothing customers like more than exclusive, limited-time bundles, especially during the festive period. If you’re wondering how to increase sales during the holidays, this is a great way to do so and elevate the perceived value of what you offer.

Among the best holiday promotion strategies for retailers (and not only retailers!), exclusive bundles present a well-curated solution that also taps into customers’ FOMO (fear of missing out), which is proven to drive quicker purchasing decisions.

If bundles are not for you, you could also offer exclusive, time-limited discounts on your product.

2. Black Friday flash sales

Successful Black Friday marketing campaigns are an amazing way for businesses to channel the power of this specific time of the year.

We’ve put together some advantages and disadvantages of Black Friday to help you decide how (and if!) to tackle these online holiday promotion tactics.

What are the disadvantages of Black Friday for businesses?

Black Friday can present several challenges for businesses:

• Offering deep discounts can erode profit margins, leaving little room for financial gain.
• The focus on discounts may attract one-time bargain hunters rather than fostering long-term customer loyalty.
• Black Friday can also overwhelm businesses with a surge in website traffic, leading to potential site crashes and customer frustration.
• Managing inventory and logistics during this period can become a nightmare, often resulting in delayed deliveries or stock shortages.
• The intense competition during Black Friday can overshadow smaller businesses, making it harder for them to stand out.

How do companies benefit from Black Friday?

Black Friday could also be a great way to increase customer loyalty during the holidays and to achieve a few other great benefits:

• Companies benefit from Black Friday by attracting a surge of new customers, boosting both short-term sales and long-term customer retention.
• By offering exclusive deals, businesses can entice bargain-hunters who may not typically shop with them, turning first-time buyers into loyal customers.
• Black Friday helps companies clear out excess inventory, increase brand visibility, and capitalise on the holiday shopping momentum.
• With the right promotions, businesses can not only drive immediate revenue but also establish lasting relationships with shoppers who return for future purchases.

How to Black Friday as a business?

In 2023, a 200.4 million customers shopped either in-person or online from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, so it’s clear that while Black Friday might have disadvantages, brands could also benefit from it.

To launch successful Black Friday marketing campaigns, businesses need to plan strategically.

• Start by setting clear sales goals and crafting exclusive offers that appeal to your target audience.
• Build anticipation with early access email campaigns and promote flash sales or limited-time deals to create urgency.
• Leverage personalised marketing tools, like AI-driven product recommendations, to re-engage customers.
• Use enticing strategies like "Buy More, Save More" discounts or free shipping incentives for larger orders.
• Don’t forget to prepare your website for high traffic, ensuring fast load times and a smooth user experience.
• Finally, use countdown timers to drive urgency and boost last-minute sales.

3. Engage with your audience with gamification

If you’re looking for creative Christmas marketing ideas, integrating game-like elements into your marketing strategy for the holidays is an excellent idea.

You can think of holiday-themed games such as a lucky wheel popup or even holiday-themed leaderboard and badges to create a more engaging and interactive shopping experience.

It’s a great way to build customer loyalty and encourage repeat visits.

4. Early bird holiday promotions

Offering early bird promotions to your most loyal customers is a great way to incentivize early holiday shopping.

You can offer exclusive discounts or sneak previews to those who have been consistently engaged with your brand.

Rewarding your most loyal customers (your VIP customers!) with early access to holiday sales can help them feel valued and appreciated, which in turn fosters a deeper connection with your business.

5. Holiday loyalty program ideas to increase customer retention

One of the best ways to engage customers and keep them coming back is through a well-planned holiday loyalty program.

You can strengthen relationships and encourage repeat purchases throughout the festive season by offering special promotions, exclusive rewards, or early access to sales for loyal customers.

To make your planning even easier, check out our Loyalty Promotion Calendar. It’s packed with month-by-month promotional ideas and exclusive tips that will help you maximise your holiday marketing efforts this year.

6. Seasonal influencer marketing

Leveraging social media and influencers is an effective way to increase your reach during the holiday season and use cross-channel holiday marketing to expand your brand’s visibility.

You can collaborate with influencers or partner with other brands to amplify your holiday marketing efforts and tap into other existing audiences to promote your products.

You could also channel the power of social media to launch exclusive seasonal promotions or contests (that way you could also leverage the influence UGC has over younger generations) to improve your holiday sales strategies.