As we enter 2017, retailers across the UK are preparing for a new year of sales. World First has marked the 20 significant retail dates next year to help businesses of all kinds, local and global, ecommerce and in-store, prepare to maximise their sales. Get your calendar at the ready…
2 January
The first bank holiday of the year. January sales will keep tills ringing on the high streets, in shopping centres and online.
25 January – Burn’s Night
As the hectic New Year’s sales end, Burn’s Night offers an uplift, especially for sales of tatties, neeps and whisky.
13 February—Half Term
Exact dates vary across the country but the first school break of the year means brisk trade for skiwear and more.
14 February – Valentine’s Day
Love’s a growing industry! Sales of roses, chocolate, jewellery and more added up to around £470 million this year, according to Mintel, up £10 million on last year. It’s also a busy time for online sales, as The Florist reports 20 percent of floral turnover is now generated via the web.
17 February – London Fashion Week
Walking down catwalks until the 21st, this is a marquee event on the fashion calendar and a critical time for the rag trade.
9 March – Crufts
Did you know there are 8.5 million dogs in the UK (as reported by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association)? Tap into the canine market at the world’s biggest dog show.
26 March – Mother’s Day
An even bigger retail opportunity than Valentine’s day, according to Mintel. Flowers, chocolates and cards will simply fly off the shelves.
16 April – Easter Sunday
Chocolate eggs and cuddly toys galore – the average British child gets 8.8 Easter eggs every year (Birmingham Mail).
23 April – St George’s Day
The event is growing in its own rights, but also marks the London Marathon, which brings together 30,000 runners with thousands more spectators.
1 May – May Bank Holiday
A time when Britons attempt to catch a glimpse of the sun and turn their attention toward the great outdoors.
27 May – FA Cup Final
Don’t miss out on sales opportunities during the super Saturday of football, when the FA cup final takes place at Wembley.
18 June – Father’s Day
Brits spend around £650 million on cards, gifts and treats for deserving dads.
3 July – Wimbledon
The nation’s attention turns to SW19 in July. Breakout the strawberries and cream, Pimm’s, tennis kit but hopefully not the umbrella.
21 July – School Summer Holidays
Most of Britain’s children will be off until September with plenty of opportunity for barbecues and camp-outs. Time is money, as they say.
4 September – Back to School
Time for kids to return to school. Expect all the school essentials—pencils, notebooks, calculators, protractors and uniforms—to become hot ticket items.
16 October – Autumn Half Term
The beginning of fall half term, over which a family of four is projected to spend around £552 just to keep the little ones entertained (Mumsnet 2015).
31 October – Halloween
Estimated to bring in £466 million in 2016 on purchasing of costumes, candy, decorations and more, according to Voucherbox.co.uk, Halloween grows in popularity each year in the UK.
5 November – Bonfire Night
A draw all around the country, Mintel estimates it’s worth around £ 52 million in spending for 2016.
24 November – Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Black Friday gets more hype each and every year. In 2016 there was an estimated £5 billion in sales over the week in Britain with retail discounts stacking up to 25 or 30 per cent. It’s now tailed by Cyber Monday when shoppers take retail therapy online.
25 December – Christmas
Some £24 billion was spent in the run-up to Christmas last year, reveals the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, a whopping 27 percent of which was online. And, on Christmas day itself, an additional spend of £700 million was forecast.
2017– Taking it one day at a time
According to the ONS, the Great British public spent an estimated £1 billion every day in 2016, 7.4 percent more year on year. Whatever the new year brings, there are certainly some key retail dates ahead and it will pay dividends make sure your business is prepared to make the most.
With a background in economics, fundamental and technical market analysis, Edward Hardy works with World First’s Economics and Currency Strategy team to assist and advise clients on transactional FX strategy and currency solutions. Over the course of the EU Referendum, Edward and team have advised clients large and small on the use of structured hedging products to help secure returns and accelerate performance.
