What’s in demand, and when

Costumes, candy, decorations and parties: spending builds through October and stops dead on the 31st.

Before the cold sets in, people service heating, insulate homes, fit winter tyres and replace car batteries — then emergency repairs spike in cold snaps.

India’s biggest festival and shopping season: gold, sweets, clothes, electronics, home decor and gifts — and Dhanteras, two days before, is a traditional day to buy gold and new things.

The year’s biggest spending period in many countries: gifts, food, parties, decorations and travel, building to 24–25 December.

Family feasts and travel: turkeys, pies, catering and grocery peak in the week before; in the US it opens the holiday shopping season.

The biggest discount weekend: shoppers buy holiday gifts and big-ticket items, online and in store. Customers compare prices hard.

Parties, dinners and countdown events push one night of very high demand for venues, food, drinks and entertainment.

People start the year with goals — fitness, money, learning — so sign-ups and first purchases cluster in January.

People and small businesses file returns before the deadline: accountants, tax preparers and bookkeepers get busiest, often at the last minute.

China’s biggest holiday: hundreds of millions travel home, gifts and feasts peak — and most factories close for weeks, which matters to anyone importing from China.

A month of fasting: daytime trade slows, evenings get busy (iftar meals, family gatherings), food shopping and charity rise, and spending builds toward Eid.

Watch parties drive one of the biggest food days of the year: wings, pizza, snacks, drinks and TVs.

Gifts and evenings out for partners: flowers, jewellery, chocolate and restaurant tables peak in the days before 14 February.

The celebration ending Ramadan: new clothes, gifts, family meals and travel, with the busiest shopping in the last week of Ramadan.

A long weekend in many countries: chocolate, baking, family meals, church events and short trips.

Most weddings happen in a few months: venues, catering, photography, attire, flowers, cakes and rentals book up months ahead.

Gifts, flowers and meals out for mothers — one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants and florists.

The Feast of the Sacrifice: livestock and meat demand peaks, with family gatherings, travel and new clothes.

Holidays and good weather: travel, outdoor activities, ice cream, drinks and events rise; some office services slow down.

Gifts and outings for fathers: grilling, tools, electronics, grooming and meals out.

Cookouts, fireworks and trips: grilling food, drinks, outdoor gear and events peak around Independence Day.

Families buy uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery and devices, and sign up for tutoring, transport and after-school care.

China’s National Day week: record domestic travel and spending, while many factories and offices close or slow down for the week.