Spring is in the air, which means now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your affiliate marketing program. No matter which channels you’re leveraging — from commerce-focused content and social media to shopping apps and monetized search traffic — understanding seasonal trends can help to revitalize and renew your affiliate strategy all year long.
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: 148th 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.
