How Brands Can Capture $1.2 Trillion in Consumer Spend During 5 Key Shopping Moments

A trillion-dollar opportunity hiding in plain sight

Every year, consumers spend more than $1.2 trillion across five key shopping moments: Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Back-to-School, and the Winter Holidays. 

Too often, brands treat these periods as quick campaigns instead of strategic opportunities. PadSquad’s eye-opening research shows that custom seasonal creative drives 63% higher engagement than standard ads. Personalization isn’t a bonus. It’s the baseline.

The 5 moments that move markets

What winning brands do differently

1. Plan early (ideally 6-8 weeks ahead) 
Sharp advertisers test creative early, giving campaigns time to optimize before the rush 
 
2. Design for context 
Easter shoppers read recipes and blogs about decorating for this special time. Back-to-School parents look for organization tips. Holiday shoppers want inspiration. When your creative matches context, it earns attention 

3. Make it interactive 
Virtual egg hunts, shoppable carousels, slide-to-reveal ads—formats that invite participation perform better than passive display 

4. Personalize to resonate with each shopper 
Life-stage messaging matters. A first-time mom whose child is going to school for the first time shops differently than a parent outfitting a college student. Your creative should reflect that. 

5. Think omnichannel and act with precision 
Great creative travels seamlessly across mobile, CTV, and desktop while staying human-centered and cohesive. 

Why creative matters more than ever 

In a $92 B digital ad landscape, attention is everything. Retail media is growing fast, and consumers move constantly between screens. Leverage captivating creative as your competitive edge. 

PadSquad’s high-impact, human-centered formats turn attention into action. Data informs the strategy. Creative earns the click. 

These shifts mean brands must work harder to earn their place in holiday carts—and hearts.

Turn insight into action

Each Big 5 moment can lead to more than a spike in sales. It’s a chance to build loyalty through emotion and experience. Think beyond the calendar. Plan for human moments, not just commercial ones. 

Ask yourself: 

• Which Big 5 moments align with your brand? 
• How can creative reflect the emotions driving those purchases? 
• What interactive elements can turn attention into action? 

When personalization, precision, and performance come together, brands can define and own each moment.
 

Get the full report

Explore the The Big 5: The Advertiser’s Guide to $1.2 T in Shopping Moments, featuring creative strategies and brand stories from Sun-Maid, Clorox & Best Buy