Busiest Shopping Days of the Year (2024)
Boosting your brand’s presence around the busiest shopping days of the year can significantly increase sales and revenues by getting more eyes on your business and products. Strategic planning during these key shopping holidays allows businesses to capitalize on peak consumer spending.
Here’s a look at the top shopping holidays in the United States so you can plan your marketing strategy accordingly.
Biggest US holidays ranked by expenditure per person
|
US holidays |
2023 per-person expenditure |
2024 per-person expenditure |
Annual change |
|
Back-to-College |
$1,366.95 |
$1,364.75 |
-0.2% |
|
Winter Holidays |
$874.67 |
$901.99 |
3.1% |
|
Back-to-School |
$890.07 |
$874.68 |
-1.7% |
|
Mother's Day |
$274.02 |
$254.04 |
-7.3% |
|
Father's Day |
$196.23 |
$189.81 |
-3.3% |
|
Valentine's Day |
$192.80 |
$185.81 |
-3.6% |
|
Easter |
$192.01 |
$177.06 |
-7.8% |
|
Graduation |
$116.19 |
$116.97 |
0.7% |
|
Halloween |
$108.24 |
$103.63 |
-4.3% |
|
Independence Day |
$93.34 |
$90.42 |
-3.1% |
|
Super Bowl |
$85.36 |
$86.04 |
0.8% |
|
St. Patrick's Day |
$43.84 |
$44.40 |
1.3% |
Busiest shopping days of the year in 2024
So, what is the busiest shopping day of the year?
According to the National Retail Foundation, in 2024, the period just before students typically return to college topped the list of the busiest shopping days of the year. An average of $1,364.75 was spent per person in preparation for the new college year. It was also the only event on this list of the top shopping holidays where the average spend per person exceeded $1,000.
The average back-to-college expenditure in 2024 is notably higher than the second-busiest shopping event of the year, the winter holiday season, during which the average person is expected to spend $901.99, a rise of 3.1% compared to the previous year.
Back to school ranks third on the list of the busiest shopping days of the year. In 2024, the average person spent $874.68 on school supplies, reflecting a slight annual decline of 1.7%.
If your business targets students and families, consider focusing your marketing efforts on these three peak shopping seasons, which together account for some of the highest consumer expenditures annually.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day follow, with average expenditures per person at $254.04 and $189.81, respectively. A deeper look reveals that historically, consumers spend significantly more on Mother’s Day than on Father’s Day, investing in gifts like flowers, jewelry, and dining experiences for mothers. Father’s Day spending tends to focus on tools, gadgets, and outdoor equipment.
The sixth busiest shopping period of the year is around Valentine’s Day, which generated expenditures of $185.81 per person in 2024. The period leading up to Easter is next on the list of the busiest shopping days of the year, with $177.06 spent per person.
Graduation, Halloween, Independence Day, the Super Bowl, and St. Patrick’s Day round out the list of the biggest shopping holidays, each with per-person expenditures under $150. Notably, Halloween expenditure in 2024 saw a decline of 4.3%, with spending averaging $103.63 per person, largely on costumes and decorations. Meanwhile, Independence Day spending dropped to $90.42.
St. Patrick’s Day and the Super Bowl saw slight increases in per-person expenditures, up 1.3% and 0.8%, respectively, indicating growing consumer interest in event-specific celebrations.