Boost sales in a flash with these bank holiday marketing ideas.

Bank holidays are the perfect time for brands to capture the attention of last-minute shoppers looking to make the most of long weekends. With its quick and direct nature, SMS is the ideal channel for time-sensitive communications, especially when shoppers need a nudge to act fast. Our UK consumer survey found that 42% of UK consumers make a purchase within hours of receiving a text from a brand. 

To make the most of these short windowed opportunities, brands can use SMS to send personalized, timely incentives that drive immediate action. In this article, we’ll explore SMS marketing strategies to help you win over bank holiday shoppers.

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1. Ensure shoppers have everything for outdoor gatherings

Bank holidays, particularly those in spring and summer, are perfect for outdoor gatherings, BBQs, and garden parties. Shoppers may sometimes leave preparations until the last minute or forget some essentials on their initial shopping list—whether it’s grabbing that new garden table and chair set or securing the perfect dinnerware for the occasion. That’s where your SMS marketing strategy can make all the difference.

Send targeted messages that remind subscribers to stock up on essential items for the upcoming long weekend. Highlight full-priced, high-value items such as premium garden furniture or BBQ sets to encourage shoppers to make those higher-value purchases. Use enticing messages that promise fast delivery and emphasize securing these items before stock runs low.

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2. Catch bank holiday shoppers before they travel

Some people plan to enjoy time at home, while others look forward to trips away. Whether it’s a weekend retreat, a beach vacation, or a countryside escape, a well-timed SMS campaign can tap into this travel mindset and drive sales for holiday essentials like luggage, swimwear, and toiletries.

To optimize your SMS marketing and ensure a high ROI, target a segmented audience, for example, those who have visited holiday-related items or clicked on your previous messages. By segmenting your audience based on past behaviors—whether browsing luggage sets, adding sunglasses to their cart, or engaging with previous promotions—you’ll ensure your messages are relevant and timely. The key is to engage these potential customers before they head off on their travels, reminding them of the savings they can still enjoy on essential items. This approach maximizes engagement by sending relevant offers to the right people and boosts ROI by focusing on individuals who have already shown some intent.

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3. Make your bank holiday offers unmissable with SMS announcements

Make your bank holiday promotions unmissable to stand out and ensure your offers don’t get lost in the noise. Craft concise yet compelling messages that highlight your best deals and grab attention. Emphasize scarcity, whether it's a limited-time discount, exclusive bundles, or low-stock alerts.

Create urgency and drive orders by strategically timing your SMS announcements throughout the bank holiday weekend, for example, by sending a unique daily offer. Offering VIP deals or early access through SMS can also make your subscribers feel special, giving them that extra incentive to act fast.

Create irresistible incentives to boost AOV

Offering discounts or money off when shoppers spend over a certain amount is a powerful way to boost AOV and drive incremental revenue. For example, you could send a message like, “Spend £50 or more and get £10 off your order. Just in time for the bank holiday weekend!” Another approach is a “Buy More, Save More” offer, like “Save 15% on orders over £50, 20% on orders over £75!” which incentivizes customers to add more items to their cart to unlock greater savings. For the bank holiday, make this deal applicable to seasonal items only. An alternative bank holiday marketing idea is bundling complementary products at a great value which can drive higher spending while providing customers with a sense of added value, such as offering a BBQ set with utensils at a discounted price. 

Announce savings on trending items to drive immediate interest

Promote savings on items that are trending or in high demand for the current season. Whether it's a beach accessory that's gone viral on TikTok or a beauty tool that effortlessly helps achieve the latest hairstyle, calling out discounts on these products will hit the mark on relevancy and drive engagement.

4. Retarget high-intent subscribers for quick bank holiday wins

Retarget high-value subscribers who have already shown interest but haven’t yet completed a purchase. These are customers who engaged with your SMS campaigns, clicked on your links, or added items to their carts but didn’t follow through. With a strategic follow-up, you can turn their interest into a sale.

Start by sending them an incentive ahead of or at the beginning of the bank holiday. Next, follow up a couple of days later with a sense of urgency and reinforce limited time availability.

To ensure you’re targeting those most likely to make a purchase, exclude anyone who has recently made a purchase. This ensures you’re focusing on customers still in the decision-making process. Retargeting these high-intent shoppers with a reminder of the offer and a strong call to action will increase your chances of an SMS subscriber placing an order.

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5. Reward and spoil your most loyal program members

Incentivize more purchases by sending a message highlighting the opportunity to earn extra loyalty points on all purchases over the bank holiday weekend, which can be redeemed on future shopping trips. This rewards customers for their purchases and creates a great reason for them to return and shop again, boosting retention. 

Alternatively, you can give your most engaged subscribers early access to your bank holiday weekend promotions, offering them exclusive discounts before the general public. A message like, “As one of our VIP shoppers, enjoy early access to our bank holiday sale. Get 20% off now before everyone else!” makes them feel valued and gives them a reason to act quickly. Treating loyal customers with special perks and rewards builds a stronger relationship, boosting sales and encouraging future purchases.

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6. Encourage bank holiday shoppers to visit your store

Many shoppers are out and about during bank holidays, making it the perfect opportunity to drive foot traffic to your physical store. To make the most of this, use SMS marketing to offer exclusive in-store-only codes, discounts, and unique experiences that motivate customers to visit. 

You can also promote bank holiday-themed in-store events or experiences, such as a live demonstration, product samples, or limited-edition items that can only be found in-store. If you have access to location data for your subscribers, personalize the experience by letting them know the nearest store location. Not only does it make the offer more relevant, but it also removes the guesswork for customers, making it easier for them to visit.

Ready to make the most of the upcoming bank holidays? Use SMS marketing to tap into these long weekends and create timely, rewarding text messages that drive conversions. Explore our SMS gallery, Texts We Love, and the holiday marketing calendar to discover key dates and inspiring campaign ideas.