Top 10 Summer Promotion Ideas to Boost Your Retail Sales

The summer season is (almost) in full swing. And while tourist and hospitality industries generally see a boon in sales, traditional retail can see sales cool as the temperatures heat up. This slump in sales is due to many shoppers choosing to spend their money on trips, outdoor concerts and festivals and sporting events, just to name a couple of examples.

But this slump doesn’t have to be accepted as the status quo. In fact, smart retailers can cash in on the tourism spending this time of year, while still marketing to local customers. 

Whether your retail business is primarily online or also has brick-and-mortar locations, there are ways to take advantage of the summer selling season by employing a few seasonal sales-boosting strategies.

And don’t forget about “Christmas in July.” This quirky mid-year holiday is a great excuse to run limited-time sales, offer holiday-themed bundles or host festive events that surprise and delight your customers.

Check out these summer marketing ideas and see if you and your team can implement them across your stores and sales channels. (Pro tip: using an efficientpoint of sale system can also help).

• Host a summer event
• Market to tourists
• Run a summer loyalty campaign
• Get outdoors
• Sell seasonal products
• Run flash weather-based summer sales
• Hold a contest
• Create a unique experience
• Join forces
• Keep your summer campaigns front and center

10 Summer sales and promotions ideas to try in your store

1. Host a summer event

Who doesn’t love a party? The summer months are filled with BBQs and pool parties, so create an event that shoppers will want to attend. Crank up the air conditioning, serve lemonade, and schedule things like an in-store demonstration by one of your suppliers, a free class using some of your products, or a trunk show with your best vendors.

Not only does this increase traffic to your store, but it helps to build a sense of community and customer loyalty. 

DermWarehouse, a skincare and beauty retailer, makes more than 85% of their sales online, but still know how important it is to get those in-person sales in their Columbus store. They host a monthlyopen houseevent series where customers can partake in giveaways, exclusive promotions, and free skincare consultations. 

This has helped them spread the word about their business locally, and they see more than 50 people for each event. Not only that, but those people tell their friends and family, and each event continues to grow—as do sales. These events are a great way to push new products and alsoget rid of excess inventory with the help of smartinventory management. Even if customers don’t shop at the event, they’ll often convert later on.

Summer promotion idea: collaborate with local events

Partnering with local summer events and festivals is a fantastic way to promote your retail store. 

Begin by identifying events that align with your brand and reach out to organizers about sponsorship opportunities or setting up a pop-up stall. Ensure you have:

• Eye-catching signage
• Branded merchandise
• Promotional materials (flyers, business cards)
• Interactive elements (demos, games)
• Portable POS systems for seamless transactions

These collaborations increase brand visibility and allow for direct customer engagement, networking opportunities, and a boost in sales and customer loyalty. They enhance your store’s local presence and attract new customers.

2. Market summer sales to tourists

If you get a good amount of tourists in your city during the summer, promote your summer store sales to visitors by distributing flyers at your local welcome center and contacting tour companies to create an exclusive offer for their customers.

According to 2024–2025 data, 96% of travelers read online reviews before deciding on travel plans, with TripAdvisor hosting 1 billion reviews across 8.6 million listings (Travel Review Statistics (2024–2025)). 

So, make sure you’re listed there and on Google Places. And those travelers are still on social media even when they’re on vacation, so ramp up your efforts online to increase your visibility.

Customers will be posting images from graduation parties, holidays, and vacations; make sure you’re seen in their feed so they’re enticed to shop. Better yet, incentivize them to talk about you on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by offering vacationers a discount coupon if they share a photo of themselves on summer vacation using your products and tagging you in the photo.

3. Run summer loyalty program promotions

Running a summer-specificloyalty program can significantly boost retail sales.

Start by introducing a program that rewards customers for repeat purchases during the season with exclusive perks. Advertise this program through email marketing, social media and in-store signage to ensure maximum visibility.

To get the most out of your summer loyalty promotion, consider offering:

• Exclusive discounts: offer discounts on summer products or services for loyalty members.
• Double points days: designate specific days where members earn double points for their purchases.
• Seasonal rewards: create rewards like branded beach towels, sun hats, or travel kits for reaching certain spending thresholds.
• Referral bonuses: encourage existing members to refer friends by offering bonus points or discounts for successful referrals.

You can also take your loyalty program a step further by bundling popular seasonal items into a limited-time summer subscription box. These curated boxes can include bestsellers, new arrivals or exclusive merchandise, and are a great way to surprise and delight loyal customers while increasing average order value.

4. Get outdoors

Foot traffic tends to increase during the warmer summer months for both locals and tourists, so make your visual merchandising something that stops them all in their tracks. If it’s feasible, push your store outside by setting up display tables or racks out in front of your store on the sidewalk. Those passing by will see what you have to offer and most likely want to come inside to see more.

Your windows are key real estate, so make sure you’re visually merchandising these in a fun and creative way that will draw shoppers into your doors. Take advantage of a summer- or travel-themed window display, or simply create a compelling visual collection of products most relevant for warmer months—think hats and visors, sunglasses, lip balm, moisturizers, outdoor toys etc.

More than just windows, use signage on the sidewalk or walkway so it can’t be missed. If you have a sidewalk easel, tie a few balloons to the sides and promote a sale or new summer merchandise.

Take it a step further by hosting a sidewalk sale. These events are a proven way to attract foot traffic and create a sense of urgency. Offer marked-down items, bundle deals or “buy one, get one” offers on seasonal merchandise. Promote your sidewalk sale in advance through social media and local event listings to maximize turnout and visibility.

5. Seasonal product promotions

Speaking of new summer merchandise, now is the perfect time to create or stock limited edition products that cater to the summer months and travelers. 

Make sure you’re not wasting time adding new inventory to your point of sale—useLightspeed NuORDER, our built-in B2B catalog to import inventory images and data and get new summer products out on the floor fast.

Summer sale idea: don’t just sell individual products, create seasonal product bundles

Dr. Barbara Sturm does an excellent job here. She sells a special “Summer Kit,” which contains 7 products specifically “designed to maintain hydrated, healthy and glowing skin during the warmer months.”

By following the example set by Dr. Barbara Sturm and offering exclusive summer-themed products, you can tap into the seasonal excitement and cater to the needs of your customers, ensuring a successful summer marketing campaign.

6. Run flash weather-based promotions

Implementing weather-based promotions can engage customers by addressing their immediate needs—like needing to get some extra protection from the sun.

You could:

• Use dynamic pricing: adjust prices based on weather conditions. For instance, offer discounts on ice cream during heat waves to attract customers seeking cool treats.
• Run promotional discounts: create special offers for loyalty program members tied to specific weather events. On particularly hot days, promote sunblock and sunglasses at discounted prices with purchases for loyalty members.

Make sure to announce any weather-based promotions on social media to create buzz. Use catchy hashtags and engaging visuals to draw attention to your offers. For example, post about a “Sunny Day Sale” on Instagram with bright, cheerful imagery.

7. Hold a contest 

When it comes to that seasonal merchandise, consider holding a contest or giveaway that encourages your customers to submit designs to be featured on limited edition products and rewards them with discounts on the final products. Not only are you keeping your loyal customers involved and invested and engaged in your brand, but you’re also getting great ideas for designs and products that customers actually want.

Everyone likes the chance to win something, so away from the seasonal merchandise, brainstorm ideas that will encourage word-of-mouth advertising all while increasing the traffic to your store. This could mean giving away raffle tickets for a free prize to those who make a purchase or encouraging customers to share their summer pictures on your social media channels. The photo that gets the most likes, gets the gift card to your store. 

The goal is to increase interaction and build brand awareness, so make the prize relevant to your brand or products. This is also a great way to help liquidate extra inventory that might be taking up space on your shelves.

8. Create a unique experience

While this should be a goal year-round, summer is a great time to focus on how you can encourage customers to stay in your store and tell all their friends about how unique you are. Consumers will return to your store for an experience, not just for products, so create something completely your own—whether that is an in-store demo/class, a take-home trial, or an on-site expert.

From the music playing in your shop to the seating areas you choose to offer, these aesthetics are key to keeping customers in store once they arrive. Encourage them to stick around longer by offering free Wi-Fi, refreshments, and a clearance bin in the back of the store—shoppers love a good deal. The idea is to offer them more than just a shelf full of products. Offer them something they’ll want to tell their friends and family about. 

Consider curating a summer-themed playlist to set the tone—think upbeat, beachy tracks that match the season. If your store layout allows, designate a “cool zone” with fans or portable AC units where customers can relax, especially on hot days. This not only enhances comfort but also encourages longer visits.

The apparel retailer William B does a tremendous job with its in-store experience strategy. In addition to carrying products, the employees at William B go above and beyond to ensure that customers have a great time in-store.

Their actions include:

• Serve free champagne 
• Offering to take any items off your hands and set up a fitting room so you can browse the store freely
• Provide seating all around the store for your companion (e.g., significant other or kids)
• Offer freebies if you purchase 3 or more items
• Strike up conversations and proactively make product recommendations — e.g., “Did you know that this blouse also comes in black?”

To streamline these types of experiences, especially for small boutiques or pop-ups, consider using a small business POSsystem that can handle transactions efficiently while enhancing the overall customer journey.

9. Join forces

Is there a retailer nearby in the area that serves a similar audience? Consider partnering up with them to create a combined sale or event. Two heads are better than one, and you get double the advertising and marketing by teaming up with a like-minded business for a new collaborative product launch, giveaway, or summer event. Combine your efforts in a joint email to both of your customer lists, and offer a discount for shopping at each other’s stores.

Not only will you have the added benefit of sharing customers, but you’ll also share the workload—and the rewards.

Take it a step further by collaborating with local fairs or festivals. These events often draw large crowds and offer excellent exposure. Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Partner with a local summer fair to host a pop-up booth featuring your best seasonal products
• Sponsor a community event like a Fourth of July parade or summer music festival in exchange for signage and mentions
• Coordinate with nearby vendors to create a “festival passport” — customers who visit all participating stores get a prize or discount
• Use directories like FairsandFestivals.net to identify upcoming events in your area and reach out to organizers early

These partnerships not only boost visibility but also position your brand as an active part of the local community. To help manage inventory and checkout across multiple locations or events, integratedretail softwarecan make setup and coordination much easier.

10. Keep your summer campaign campaigns front and center

You know what they say: out sight, out of mind. Maximize the visibility of your summer marketing initiatives by spotlighting your products everywhere you do business, including:

In-store summer vibes

Create window displays for your summer promotions and set up merchandising displays relevant to the season. Ensure that teams across all your stores are prepared to engage shoppers. They need to be fully aware of your summer products and promos in order to communicate and relay the info effectively.  

Summer colors and content on your website

You know how we talked about beefing up your window displays and in-store merchandising? Apply the same principles online by curating a section on your website dedicated to summer merchandise. For best results, display a banner on your homepage to encourage customers to shop your seasonal items. 

Have a look at this example from the gift shop City Bird. The front page of their website has a banner promoting their “Summer Favorites,” and clicking through the banner takes you to a curated page filled with summer-themed products. 

Engaging social media campaigns for summer

Got a strong social media presence? See to it that your fans and followers know about all the great things you’re offering this summer. Regularly post images, videos, and stories to engage your audience.  

If you’re on Instagram, consider creating a dedicated Highlight showcasing all your summer-centric content, providing customers with easy access to your exciting offerings when they visit your Instagram profile.

Have a look at what City Bird is doing.

Timely summer email and SMS messages

Finally, keep your communication ducks in a row (i.e., email and SMS marketing). Now is the time to come up with compelling messages and campaigns to reel in new and existing customers. 

The bottom line

Although you may have seen a sales slump in summers past, that doesn’t always have to be the case. People often have more time to shop in the summer, so take advantage of both tourists and locals that will be walking past your store.

Implement the strategies above across your stores and sales channels, and you’ll be well on your way to scorching summer sales. As summer winds down, consider launching early back-to-school promotions in late July or early August to keep momentum going and attract families preparing for the new school year. Make sure you’re stocked and organized for the season ahead with the rightinventory management software.

Don’t forget to reflect on your summer performance. Track metrics like foot traffic, loyalty program sign-ups and coupon redemption rates to evaluate campaign ROI and identify what worked best. These insights can help you plan even more effective promotions next year.

Lightspeed Retail has powerful capabilities for executing compelling marketing campaigns. Whether you’re looking for deep customer insights to inform your decisions or need tools to drive sales and customer loyalty, Lightspeed has got you covered.

Ready to discuss your unique needs?Talk to a retail expert today

Frequently asked questions about successful summer promotions and sales

What are effective summer event ideas to attract customers?

Host in-store events like BBQs, parties or product demonstrations. Provide refreshments, giveaways and exclusive promotions to create a fun, engaging atmosphere.

How can I market my retail store to summer tourists?

Distribute flyers at local welcome centers, list your store on review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor and offer exclusive deals to tourists through partnerships with tour companies.

What are some summer-specific loyalty program ideas?

Offer exclusive discounts on summer products, double points days, seasonal rewards like branded beach gear and referral bonuses to encourage repeat purchases.

What are some engaging summer store display ideas? 

Set up tables or racks outside your store, use summer-themed window displays, and add eye-catching signage. Balloons and easels can attract foot traffic and draw customers inside.