When Will Affiliates Earn Most in 2025?

Timing separates average affiliates from exceptional ones. Knowing exactly when shoppers open their wallets — and what they're looking for — creates the perfect formula for commission success.

We've mapped out the retail high points of 2025 that deserve your attention. Here's when to push, what to promote, and how to make the most of each opportunity.

Easter

April 20

Easter hits right when people are shedding their winter shells and reaching for their wallets. This spring kickoff brings solid shopping momentum.

What Sells: Home refreshes, garden gear, spring clothing, and surprisingly — family travel packages for the upcoming season.

Smart Approach:

• Create practical spring content that feels helpful, not sales-driven
• Pay attention to timing — conversions jump about 5-7 days pre-Easter
• Position products as enhancing family time rather than just "Easter items"
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Summer Soltice

June 21

The longest day of the year gets overlooked by many marketers, but it signals the official summer launch when consumers stock up for outdoor adventures.

What Sells: Outdoor equipment, recreational gear, cooling products, and subscription boxes for summer activities.

Smart Approach:

• Focus on specific summer activities rather than generic "summer products"
• Show how products enhance experiences (that camping chair makes sunset viewing better)
• Get in early — many summer purchases happen before the actual season begins
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Amazon Prime Day

Mid-July

Bezos' invented holiday moves billions in merchandise during a traditionally quiet retail period.

What Sells: Electronics, smart home tech, kitchen gadgets, and Amazon-branded products that see their deepest discounts.

Smart Approach:

• Help people navigate the chaos with comparison tools and buying guides
• Highlight limited-time deals — the 24-hour or lightning deals often convert best
• Start promoting about two weeks ahead when shoppers begin researching
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Back to School

From September 1

What used to be about pencils and backpacks has evolved into a major shopping season for everything from dorm gear to productivity tech.

What Sells: Tech upgrades, organization systems, dorm essentials, and subscriptions that make the school year easier.

Smart Approach:

• Create separate content for different age groups — parents of elementary kids have totally different needs than college students
• Focus on products that solve specific pain points (better sleep, easier organization, time-saving)
• Bundle recommendations for convenience — parents especially appreciate complete solutions
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Black Friday & Cyber Monday

November 27 - December 1

The retail Olympics need strategic planning. This weekend can make or break your Q4.

What Sells: Premium electronics, home goods, annual subscription offers, and big-ticket items people have researched all year.

Smart Approach:

• Build an audience in October with preparatory content so you're not starting cold
• Create specific guides that simplify complicated purchases
• Highlight the genuinely good deals — shoppers are increasingly skeptical and value honest curation
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Christmas

December 25

While the day itself is obvious, the real action happens December 10-20 when shipping anxiety drives urgent purchasing.

What Sells: Curated gift collections, experience gifts, last-minute items with guaranteed delivery, and digital gifts.

Smart Approach:

• Create gift guides by relationship rather than generic categories
• Clearly mark shipping deadlines — this is genuinely helpful information
• Pivot to digital gifts and subscriptions as shipping cutoffs approach

In conclusion

Here's something most guides won't tell you: the "dead zones" between major events often have less competition but still strong buying intent. January wellness products, March home improvement, May outdoor living — these periods can be surprisingly profitable.

Track everything. What worked last year might flop this year. The best affiliate marketers adjust their approach based on real data, not just conventional wisdom. It’s always important to connect the right products to the right people at the right time — calendar events or not.