Monthly Marketing Planning for September 2026

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Summer is closing up, kids are headed back to school, and September can be the gateway to the holiday season if you're prepared. Here are our tips for marketing your store in September. What did we miss? What works for you?

Back to School
Historically, K-12 schools start the day after Labor Day, but in some districts, schools can start as early as mid-July through August. This is a great time to sell locks, commuter bikes, kids' bikes, helmets. Also, think about other security measures such as Apple AirTag holders.

Don't forget college. Talk to your local campus police departments about new fleets. Sales to campus police don’t stop with the bikes; there are police decals, police bags, police-specific lights, and service plans! These aren’t typical retail sales; they often require a check to be mailed in from the Accounts Payable department, so plan for that difference in cash flow early.

Labor Day Sale
It doesn’t have to start and end on Labor Day; ride it out for a week or two.  Adjust Google Hours if you are closed

Spring/Summer Apparel
What hasn’t moved yet? Let’s start marking those jerseys down to make room for the fall apparel that is just about to hit your dock. For non-perishables, such as black gloves, bibs, shorts, etc., you can keep those at full price.  Maybe just take inventory on them, so if you store them away, you at least know the inventory is correct.

Holiday Planning  (not too early to think about the holidays)
Black Friday offers and special buys from your vendors (socks, sun sleeves, hats…stocking stuffers, ect.) Talk to your reps, find out what they are heavy on and negotiate.