Fireworks, barbecues, and patriotic parades—Fourth of July (Independence Day) is a day of celebration for many consumers across the US.
As the summer heat sizzles and anticipation builds, retailers have an opportunity to harness the spirit of this holiday to boost their business. It’s time to light up your marketing strategies and come up with initiatives to captivate customers and drive sales.
That being said, standing out in the sea of red, white and blue can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve put together a handful of 4th of July marketing ideas to ignite your sales and set off some (figurative) fireworks in your business.
- Highlight your USA-made merchandise
- Run a 4th of July email marketing campaign
- Send your 4th of July message early
- Extend your 4th of July sales promotion
- Think BBQs and fireworks
- Pay tribute to veterans
- Market relevant products and services
- Create explosive retail displays
- Remind customers about Independence Day early on
- Launch a giveaway
- Create a 4th of July merchandise guide
- Leverage user-generated content
- Implement SMS marketing
- Lean in on summer themes
- Market a 4th of July collection
- Partner with other businesses
- Craft 4th of July promo codes that are easy to remember
- Celebrate the long weekend
- Run targeted ads and promotions on digital channels
- Share useful info
Turn more window shoppers into buyers
Gone are the days when “May I help you?” met with an enthusiastic response. Today, retailers need to find creative ways of capturing the attention of those wandering into their store. This guide shows you how.
Highlight your USA-made merchandise
Consumers are increasingly conscious of where their products come from and are often willing to support local businesses.
This shopping behavior is a lot more pronounced during Independence Day, so now is an excellent time to highlight any products you sell that are made in the USA.Showcase these items, and emphasize their quality, craftsmanship and contribution to the local economy.
Create dedicated displays or signage and include these products in your email marketing. Take a look at this example from the online tea shop Sips by, which highlights one of their US-based tea partners.
The subject line, Check out this tea – made in America 🇺🇸 is direct to the point and does a solid job grabbing the attention of shoppers who prefer buying from US merchants.
Championing your USA-made merchandise not only enables you to tap into the patriotic sentiment of the holiday but also differentiate your business as one that values quality, sustainability and local communities.
Run a 4th of July email marketing campaign
Email is something you should be leveraging all year round, but during big holidays like Independence Day, this channel becomes even more important.
So, broadcast your 4th of July marketing campaigns via email so your subscribers are in the loop. Craft compelling subject lines and use visually appealing templates that incorporate patriotic colors and imagery, capturing the spirit of Independence Day.
If possible, segment your email list based on customer preferences, demographics, or past purchase history to deliver tailored offers and recommendations.
We’ve provided some interesting examples of 4th of July emails from other brands (see other tips below), so we hope they give you some ideas of what you can do in the coming weeks.
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Send your 4th of July message early
If you’re launching an email campaign (and you totally should) know that you’ll be competing for prime inbox real estate on July 4th. Don’t risk your message falling through the wayside. Maximize your visibility by crafting an email series that lets you touch base with customers and before the 4th of July and on the day itself.
That way, you can build anticipation and stay top of mind with your audience leading up to the Fourth, ensuring that your message stands out amidst the influx of holiday-themed emails.
Take a leaf out of Princes Cruises’ playbook. For last year’s Fourth of July, the brand sent an email a few days before the holiday inbox rush.
Extend your 4th of July sales promotion
Just as sending early 4th of July messages can help you sidestep crowded customer inboxes, launching an extended promotion can help your brand stand out once the initial holiday rush dies down.
Rather than limiting your promotion to just the Fourth of July, consider extending it for a few days or even a week. This gives customers more flexibility and allows those who may have missed the initial deadline to still participate. Make sure to clearly communicate the extended promotion period through your marketing channels, such as email, social media, and website banners.
Think BBQs and fireworks
The 4th of July wouldn’t be complete without sizzling barbecues and dazzling fireworks, so craft your marketing messages around these classic activities. Highlight products or services that enhance BBQs, such as grills, outdoor furniture, cooking utensils, marinades, and even themed party decorations.
If you don’t sell products typically used during 4th of July festivities, then use BBQs and fireworks are messaging points and conversation starters.
That’s what the Seattle Shirt Company did for last year’s 4th of July. The store posted a photo on Instagram in the days leading up to Independence Day, with the caption that reads:
The 4th of July is coming up! Around here, we refer to it as BBQ & Fireworks day. 🧨🍔 What are you going to be grilling up this year?
View this post on Instagram
Pay tribute to veterans
Take some time to honor those who have served in the military. Show your appreciation by posting a tribute or by engaging in meaningful conversations with your customers and staff. If it makes sense for your business, partner with veteran organizations or charities and donate a portion of your sales to support their efforts.
You can also create special discounts or sales promotions exclusively for veterans, active duty personnel, and their families, showing gratitude for their service.
Market relevant products and services
If you sell products that are commonly used on 4th of July (e.g., outdoor furniture, grilling accessories, swimwear, picnic supplies, etc.) ensure those items are top of mind. See to it that your sales associates are up to speed on all your 4th of July merch and display those items prominently in your store.
Create explosive retail displays
Speaking of displays, make sure your merchandising and in-store design elements are on-point. Aside from incorporating seasonal items, you’ll want to weave in design elements that are relevant to the holiday. Think: red, white and blue decor and sparkly materials.
Need inspiration? Check out this example from Used to Be Yours Boutique:
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Remind customers about Independence Day early on
It doesn’t hurt to start your 4th of July marketing campaigns early, especially if you’re selling things like supplies, outfits and products that people will use on or before Independence Day. Getting a head start on your marketing will also help you build anticipation and excitement—two key ingredients that often lead to more sales.
So, consider sending 4th of July reminders, encouraging people to do their shopping early.
Kiwico, an online store that sells STEM-centric activity boxes for kids, did just that last year. A few weeks before 4th of July, the company sent an email with the subject line: Order supplies before June 17 for 4th of July DIY projects.
The email itself contained DIY activities for Independence Day, along with links to the corresponding pages where people can learn more.
Launch a giveaway
Drive engagement this 4th of July by launching a giveaway. Just make sure the contest is relevant to the holiday and appeals to your target audience.
For example, you could give away a summer-themed gift basket, a backyard BBQ set, or tickets to a local fireworks display.
Once you’ve nailed the mechanics and prizes of your giveaway, promote it across all your communication channels (in-store, social media, email, SMS).
For best results, encourage participants to share the giveaway with their friends and family to expand your reach and drive organic growth.
Create a 4th of July merchandise guide
Selling and displaying relevant products is great, but if you want to take things a step further, consider creating a merchandise guide specifically for Independence Day. This gives customers ideas on how to incorporate your products into their Fourth of July celebrations—and ultimately encourages them to buy from you.
What does a 4th of July merchandising guide look like? That depends on your store. If you’re in fashion, then you could showcase outfit ideas for Independence Day events. If you sell homeware, then you could showcase a curated selection of items that are perfect for barbecues, picnics, outdoor parties.
The following email from Brit + Co serves as a good example of this tip in action. To get readers excited about the 4th of July, the publication put together a roundup of products and ideas to get people “beach ready to celebrate 4th of July.”
The email contained vibrant images and links to products, recipes, and more to help people create memorable Independence Day experiences.
Leverage user-generated content
Harness the power of user-generated content (UGC) to enhance your Fourth of July marketing efforts.
Encourage your customers to share their experiences, memories, and creative content related to Independence Day on social media platforms using a branded hashtag. This can include photos, videos, stories, or testimonials showcasing how they celebrate the holiday using your products or services.
And don’t forget to repost and share the best submissions on your social media channels, website, or even in email newsletters to showcase real-life examples of how your brand enhances Fourth of July celebrations.
Implement SMS marketing
Enhance your Fourth of July marketing strategy by implementing SMS marketing to reach customers directly on their mobile devices. SMS offers a quick and effective way to engage with your audience in a personal and immediate way.
It’s also a great medium for announcing 4th of July limited-time offers, flash sales and exclusive deals.
Here’s an example of a short but effective SMS message care of the cafe Kape Republik.
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Lean in on summer themes
The Fourth of July takes place right in the middle of summer, so leaning into the season’s key themes will help your brand feel relevant and relatable during this time of the year.
Embrace the essence of the season by incorporating elements such as sun, sand, water, and outdoor activities into your campaigns. Showcase products and services that align with the summer vibe, such as beachwear, outdoor gear, refreshing beverages, or vacation essentials.
As for your visuals, use bright and vibrant colors that evoke the feeling of sunny days and create eye-catching visuals that transport customers to a summer paradise.
Need inspiration? Look no further than this example from Kith + Kissui.
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Market a 4th of July collection
If it’s feasible for your business, craft a 4th of July collection that showcases a curated selection of products specifically tailored to the holiday. This collection can feature items that embody the patriotic spirit, such as apparel adorned with stars and stripes, accessories in red, white and blue, or home decor with a patriotic theme.
Consider offering limited-edition or exclusive items that are only available during this holiday season, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity.
One company doing this well is the apparel brand Saturday Morning Pancakes, which recently released a 4th of July collection consisting of stylish and funny apparel relevant to the holiday.
Partner with other businesses
Want to amplify your Fourth of July marketing efforts even more? Seek out like-minded businesses in your community or industry and explore collaborative opportunities that can benefit both parties.
Have a look at this initiative from Planet Fitness and FruitBouqets.com. To celebrate 4th of July, the two companies teamed up for an exclusive promo that granted an exclusive promo code to Planet Fitness members. Redeeming the offer was as simple as entering PF’s designated code during the checkout process.
Craft 4th of July promo codes that are easy to remember
Create memorable and easy-to-remember 4th of July promo codes to enhance your holiday marketing. Opt for short, catchy codes that relate to Independence Day or evoke a sense of patriotism.
For example, when Tommy Hilfiger ran a 4th of July sale, they implemented the code STARS. Simple, relevant and best of all—easy to enter at checkout.
Celebrate the long weekend
Make the most of the Fourth of July by celebrating the long weekend with your customers. Recognize that this holiday often extends beyond just a single day, with many people enjoying a long weekend off work.
As such, it helps to tailor your marketing efforts and content to align with this extended timeframe.
Last July 4th, for example, Melissa Joy Manning posted a photo along with a quick caption wishing customers a great long weekend.
View this post on Instagram
Run targeted ads and promotions on digital channels
Boost the visibility of your Fourth of July marketing by running targeted ads and promotions on digital channels. Leverage platforms like social media, search engines, and display networks to reach your specific target audience with tailored messages and offers.
To generate better results, implement demographic and interest-based targeting and get in front of people who are likely to be interested in your Fourth of July promotions.
Finally, craft compelling ad copy and visuals that highlight the holiday spirit and emphasize the value of your offerings.
Share useful info
Not all 4th of July marketing has to feel overly promotional. You can drive tremendous engagement by sharing high-value and educational content pertaining to the holiday.
Take Airbnb for example, for 4th of July, the company sent guests an email on how to stay safe during their trip. The message contained tips on staying healthy, celebrating responsibly, and being a good neighbor.
This effort demonstrates Airbnb’s commitment to their guest’s well being, which in turn solidifies their brand reputation.
See if you can do something similar. If you sell cosmetics, then now is a great time to talk about the importance of sunscreen when spending time outdoors. Do you sell kitchenware or food? Consider sharing recipes or party planning tips.
Final words on 4th of July marketing
As you can see, there’s no shortage of 4th of July marketing ideas you can implement in the coming weeks. We hope this guide inspires your Independence Day initiatives and you’re able to drive engagement and sales on 4th of July and beyond.
And if you need help implementing these campaigns, Lightspeed Advanced Marketing platform has got you covered. With built-in tools for customer communication and loyalty, Lightspeed enables you to deepen your customer relationships, streamline your marketing initiatives, and grow your bottom line.
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