Loading...

2025 Summer shopping trends: Reach vacation-ready shoppers using Experian’s Audience solutions

Published: May 13, 2025 by Experian Marketing Services

Using Customer Data For Seasonal Marketing

Summer may be vacation season for consumers, but it’s go time for marketers. Between holiday weekends, travel season, and changing shopping habits, the pressure is on to deliver campaigns that land and convert.

If you’re feeling behind, you’re not alone. Many marketers face the same challenge every year: How do you actually use the customer data you have to fuel high-impact, seasonal marketing? And how do you ensure your brand shows up in front of the right people in the right place before the competition beats you to it?

That’s where Experian comes in. With Experian’s advanced Audience solutions, you can get ahead of the trends, connect with vacation-ready shoppers, and optimize performance across digital, TV, and retail media using customer data for seasonal marketing.

Capitalize on vacation excitement to drive sales and growth

Summer travel often triggers a surge in pre-trip spending. Surveys show that 82% of consumers plan to travel this summer, and according to Fortune, today’s travelers spend thousands of dollars on things like luggage, apparel, and recreation gear before they even leave their homes!

But while consumer demand is heating up, so are the challenges. Marketers are navigating a turbulent economic environment shaped by shifting demand curves, tighter budgets, the rising cost of goods, and supply chain disruptions caused by newly imposed tariffs. These pressures are forcing teams to rethink everything from product positioning to pricing strategies.

In this climate, it’s more important than ever to maximize performance, reduce waste, and stay laser-focused on reaching high-intent audiences likely to convert. Using customer data for seasonal marketing helps brands predict and capture demand with precise, relevant targeting. Whether your customers are planning a trip to the beach or hiking the Rockies, timely messaging and audience alignment can drive engagement and conversion.

Experian Audiences power effective audience strategies

But even the most compelling campaigns can fall flat if you’re working with incomplete data, outdated segments, or generic targeting. Consumer data providers like Experian can help you fix that.

Our Audience solutions help you go beyond assumptions and truly understand who your shoppers are, what they’re planning, and how they behave, so you’re ready to get in front of their summer plans.

Six steps to creating a successful seasonal marketing campaign

When you’re ready to turn summer intent into strategy, Experian Audience solutions help you translate vacation-driven behaviors into high-performing campaigns. Each product in the Experian Audience suite supports a specific stage in seasonal marketing planning and execution.

1. Define your goals

Before diving into channels and creatives, get clear on your customer database marketing goals. Are you trying to increase online purchases? Drive in-store traffic? Expand brand awareness?

Use Syndicated Audiences to set fast, focused goals. If you’re short on time, Experian’s 2,400+ Syndicated Audiences give you a head start. These pre-built, behavior-based segments — from luxury travelers to seasonal sports enthusiasts — help you quickly identify who to target, where they spend time, and how to message to them.

With segments ready to plug into 30+ activation platforms, you can ensure quick, confident activation.

2. Decide what data you need and which audiences to target

Using customer data for seasonal marketing means mapping behavior to intent. This core tactic in customer database marketing can help you drive deeper engagement. Our data solutions simplify the process, whether you’re starting with limited data or already know your best customers.

  • If you’re starting with a list, Enrichment can append lifestyle, income, and travel preference data to help you understand what motivates your existing customers.
  • If you don’t have a list, Marketing Attributes gives you full control when building new audiences or lookalikes based on relevant seasonal traits like beach vacationers or frequent CTV watchers.

3. Identify key holidays and events

Summer is full of shopping triggers: Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and countless local and regional events. However, not every customer behaves the same way.

Use Enrichment to understand when your customers are most likely to act. By comparing your first-party data to broader market segments, you can time promotions more strategically. For instance, enrichment might reveal that outdoor gear buyers convert in early June, while luxury travelers plan closer to July.

4. Activate across digital, TV, and retail media

Summer shoppers don’t stick to one screen. They’re streaming TV, reading travel blogs, browsing retail apps, and catching up on email — often from a beach chair or airplane seat. That’s why omnichannel delivery is a must, and it’s where consumer data vendors like Experian can help you reach your audience across channels with targeted messaging for key holidays and events:

  • Syndicated Audiences simplifies omnichannel activation with built-in integrations to 30+ leading activation platforms. These pre-mapped segments let you deliver consistent messaging across the places where your audience is most engaged.
  • Looking for privacy-forward reach? Contextually-Indexed Audiences are segments built by linking real-world behavioral data to the types of content those audiences typically consume online, allowing you to activate based on content instead of identity while offering a more contextually relevant experience. Using customer data for seasonal marketing, Experian maps real audience segments across web and app environments — like national park guides and travel blogs — for ID-free precision targeting in a cookieless environment.

5. Track and evaluate performance

Don’t wait until the end of the campaign to make changes. Experian’s measurement tools help you track performance in real time, so you can optimize early and often.

Measure how well specific audiences — enriched, syndicated, or contextual — are performing across platforms and use those insights to shift spend toward top performers.

6. Optimize and refine your strategy

After the season ends, it’s time to take what you’ve learned and build smarter for the next push.

Use Outcomes to analyze:

  • Who converted
  • Which segments underperformed
  • How your customer base compares to the broader market
  • How your audience evolved
  • Which campaigns drove meaningful adoption

These insights can then inform your next round of audience building, so whether it’s back-to-school or a holiday, you’re already ahead.

Example 1: The beach vacation shopper

To illustrate Experian’s Audience solutions at work, let’s say a high-end swimsuit brand wants to reach women over 30 planning beach vacations to Florida, Hawaii, or Mexico. However, their CRM only includes basic transaction and purchase details and offers little insight into who their customers are.

Audience solution: Enrichment

Using Experian’s Enrichment solution, the brand could layer on lifestyle, income, and travel preference data to turn shallow profiles into rich audience segments.

With a deeper understanding of their shoppers, the brand could develop a targeted messaging strategy by destination, build high-performing lookalike audiences, and confidently activate across channels.

Example 2: The European traveler

As another example, suppose a footwear brand wants to reach millennial travelers heading to Europe between May and August. They specialize in stylish, comfortable walking shoes that are ideal for travel but lack the technical in-house resources to build custom segments.

Audience solution: Syndicated Audiences

Using our Syndicated Audiences, the brand could easily tap into pre-built segments tied to leisure travelers, international shoppers, and comfort-focused footwear buyers. With plug-and-play access to over 2,400 verified audience segments, the brand could quickly layer this targeting into their programmatic and paid social campaigns without requiring custom development.

And with fast speed-to-market and improved message relevance, the brand could launch cross-channel campaigns just in time for peak summer travel planning.

Example 3: The outdoorsman

Consider a camping tent company that wants to reach families planning summer trips to national parks, campgrounds, or RV resorts. They don’t have much first-party data to work with, but they know their audience is online, researching their next adventure.

Audience solution: Contextually-Indexed Audiences

With Experian’s Contextually-Indexed Audiences, the brand could target people actively reading content about outdoor travel (like hiking tips, campground reviews, or road trip itineraries) without relying on cookies or IDs. They’d be able to activate contextually relevant audiences mapped to sites that outdoor enthusiasts frequent and drive site traffic with strong click-through rates.

Example 4: Big-box retailer launching summer gear

Imagine a national retailer preparing to promote summer essentials like patio furniture, grills, fitness gear, and travel accessories. Their goal is to build predictive models for their summer product demand and reach new customers most likely to buy before they even search.

Audience solution: Marketing Attributes

With Experian’s Marketing Attributes, the retailer could license over 5,000 lifestyle, demographic, and behavioral variables to enrich internal models and uncover high-indexing consumer groups, such as outdoor entertainers or health-conscious families.

This data-powered insight would help them predict demand and identify audience segments worth testing across media channels. The team could find new, qualified segments ideal for email and CTV activation and get a head start on the season, eventually increasing ROI on their summer campaign spend.

Talk to Experian about your summer campaigns today

Using customer data for marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you have access to a trusted consumer data provider and plug-and-play audience tools for every stage of the funnel.

Whether you’re working with a robust CRM or starting fresh, consumer data vendors like Experian can help you reach the right audiences with speed, accuracy, and confidence. Our advanced tools are designed for both advanced marketers and teams just beginning to explore consumer database marketing. No matter your goals, Experian is here to help you build an audience strategy that performs.


Contact us today

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Latest posts

Inside Experian’s solutions for SSPs with Yieldmo

Supply-side platforms (SSPs) are expected to deliver more than inventory—they’re being asked to support sell-side targeting strategies, campaign results, and proof of performance. To meet that demand, SSPs need more than access to inventory. They need better data, better tools, and a way to bring it all together. Experian’s solutions for SSPs We built Experian’s solutions for SSPs with that demand in mind. By combining identity resolution, audience targeting, and third-party measurement, we help platforms move beyond basic transactions. Whether you’re doing sell-side targeting, supporting direct deals, or looking to support campaign validation, our tools make it easier to create value for buyers—and keep them coming back. Our solutions that help SSPs: Resolve identity across digital touchpoints using our industry-leading Digital Graph Build differentiated audiences using over 2,400 Experian Audiences and Partner Audiences in Audience Engine Support advertiser-direct relationships with tools to create, activate, and host custom segments Measure real outcomes like in-store visitation and sales through Outcomes, our third-party validated reporting suite Together, these capabilities allow SSPs to produce data-driven deals, increase addressability, and meet buyer demand for smarter, more measurable media. Campaign snapshot: Yieldmo + Experian Yieldmo, an advertising platform known for its creative formats and data-informed approach, has already put this solution to work. Here’s how they built a custom strategy for a major athletic retail client using Experian\’s joint solution for SSPs. The challenge: Drive in-store traffic and reach new buyers Yieldmo supports a leading athletic retailer’s seasonal campaigns focused on in-store traffic. This advertiser wanted to reach new buyers—specifically those who might otherwise shop with a competitor. To do this, they needed access to strong audience segments with reliable data and the flexibility to act quickly across channels. This was the first time Yieldmo applied Experian Audiences to this retailer’s campaigns. The stakes were high: the client was looking for better in-store outcomes and a more streamlined activation workflow. The solution: Experian\’s activation solution for SSPs Using Experian’s Audience Engine, which includes our proprietary and third-party data marketplace, Yieldmo built a flexible, high-performing media plan that spanned display inventory and included both conquesting and primary in-store shopper segments. The team selected and activated: Apparel and footwear audiences built from Experian and partner data providers In-store shopper segments targeting retail behavior signals Competitive purchasers to capture likely buyers from other athletic brands Our data marketplace allowed Yieldmo to combine Experian Audiences with Partner Audiences from providers like Alliant, Circana, Sports Innovation Lab, and Webbula—all in one place. Manual audience creation used to take days. Now, Yieldmo can build and activate campaigns through a streamlined, self-serve workflow. By working in the Audience Engine platform, Yieldmo was able to avoid multiple contracts and manual requests. They filtered audiences by brand, tailored segments to their goals, and launched without delays. “Experian’s data marketplace in Audience Engine fills a critical gap—letting us quickly search by brand, build smarter conquest segments, and activate custom audiences fast.”Abby Littlejohn, Director of Sales Planning, Yieldmo The results: Expected lift in store visits While final in-store lift results are pending, the early performance metrics are promising: Click-through rates are at and above historical benchmarks across both conquesting and primary shopper segments. Using Audience Engine’s self-serve tools, Yieldmo created audiences faster and more easily. They reduced their workload by minimizing the need for manual data wrangling. “We include Experian audience segments in 80% of formal RFPs. Between contract simplicity, data quality, and campaign results, Experian has become our go-to for third-party audience targeting.”Nelson Montouchet, AVP, Strategic Partnerships, Yieldmo Download the full case study Bring this to your platform Whether you’re looking to monetize more effectively, build deeper advertiser relationships, or stand out with sell-side targeting offerings, we designed Experian’s solutions for SSPs to do exactly that. With our industry-leading Digital Graph, over 2,400 syndicated audiences, partner data, flexible self-serve tools, and outcome-based measurement, SSPs can now move faster and go further—without compromising scale or precision. Get in touch with our team Latest posts

Jun 25,2025 by Experian Marketing Services

Less hype, more action: Three trends from Cannes Lions 2025

After another week under the sun at Cannes Lions 2025, one thing is abundantly clear: our industry is done talking about possibilities — it’s ready to act. From speaking engagements to packed suite meetings, and even stateside through our “Can’t Cannes” activations, the appetite for change was real — and we were right at the center of it. A front-row seat to innovation Experian made a powerful impact across the Croisette, partnering with Audiostack, Basis, Infillion, IQVIA, Magnite, NextRoll, Odeeo, OpenX, The Female Quotient, and the Unplugged Collective x The Digital Marketer, to contribute to some of the week’s most insightful conversations. Our thought leaders were everywhere—on stage, in studio interviews, at executive roundtables—offering a clear voice on retail media growth, pharma advertising disruption, AI innovation, and identity-driven personalization. Three themes that defined the week 1. AI gets real If 2024 was the year of AI buzz, then 2025 is the year AI found its footing. Conversations shifted from “what if” to “what now.” While the promise of AI was front and center, conversations with clients and partners highlighted that we’re still in the foundational phase. Real-world applications—from creative optimization to predictive segmentation—are gaining traction, but long-term value will depend on robust data architecture and trustworthy identity frameworks. MiQ and PMG debuted AI-integrated platforms that demonstrated how AI can automate creative, optimize budget allocation, and personalize media in real time. AI has moved from sidekick to strategist. \”Last year it was all about AI, but in a very general sense. This year, it’s about specific applications — a clear sign AI is evolving from a talking point into product.”Budi Tanzi, VP, Product 2. Outcomes > impressions Outcomes may have been a buzzword at Cannes, but as several industry leaders pointed out, simply saying “we drive outcomes” isn’t enough—it risks sounding like table stakes. In today’s performance-driven environment, what matters is how companies define and deliver those outcomes in unique ways. The most compelling conversations weren’t about generic promises, but about clear strategies: challenging assumptions, leaning into strengths, and making specific choices that tie data, media, and technology to measurable impact. \”By using consistent identity across planning, activation, and measurement, marketers can connect ad exposure to real-world outcomes—whether that’s an online conversion, an in-store visit, or a new customer relationship.\”Chris Feo, Chief Business Officer 3. Curation isn\’t just a tactic Curation is quickly becoming the industry’s preferred approach to cutting through complexity. As marketers contend with signal loss and inconsistent inventory quality, the shift from broad access to intentional activation is gaining momentum. At Experian, we see curation not just as packaging, but as strategic alignment—where identity, data, and inventory come together in purpose-built environments that reduce waste, enhance safety, and drive performance. \”Supply-side data activation and optimization, aka “curation,” is an alternative to the traditional approach to data activation. Unlike the traditional DMP-to-DSP activation flow, curation allows buyers to leverage supply-path data more directly. The upshot? Improved performance and pricing for media agencies and brand advertisers.\”Drew Stein, Managing Director, Audigent Bringing the Cannes experience stateside Not everyone can make it to the South of France—so we brought Cannes to them. Our “Can’t Cannes” events in the U.S. offered local clients a first-class experience filled with insights and networking, minus the jet lag. Final takeaways This year’s festival made one thing clear: real progress requires more than innovation; it requires integration. And that’s where Experian is focused—connecting identity to activation, and data to outcomes, in ways that are practical, scalable, and privacy-resilient. If I had to sum it up? AI is progressing from abstract to application Curation beats clutter Partnership is power And everyone’s aligned around performance We’re grateful to have been part of these conversations and even more excited about where they’ll lead next. Let’s continue the conversation If you\’re exploring how to connect identity to performance, or simplify the way you activate, measure, and grow, we’d love to talk. Latest posts

Jun 25,2025 by Dave Rosner, VP, Marketing, Audigent

The unexpected upside of a cookieless future that never came

Originally appeared in AdExchanger Google’s decision not to deprecate cookies in the Chrome browser after all caused a stir across the industry. Companies invested heavily in developing solutions aligned with the Privacy Sandbox as a survival tactic for the post-cookie landscape. At first glance, Google’s about-face may appear to undercut those efforts. It’s easy, and perhaps even satisfying for some – but inaccurate – to say “all that effort was for nothing.” Given Chrome’s dominance among browsers, AdTech companies had no choice but to prepare for “what if” scenarios. The same goes for cookie deprecation. Google’s plan to end support for third-party cookies would have removed a mechanism that has been a cornerstone of addressability for the past 15 years. To be clear, those efforts have not been wasted. They spurred innovation across the AdTech landscape, driving progress in privacy-first targeting, alternative identifiers, supply-path data activation, and real-time data enrichment – all of which will pay dividends for years to come. Whether born directly from Privacy Sandbox participation or inspired by the broader trend toward privacy reform, industry-wide preparation for cookie loss and browser disruption has yielded tangible benefits. Pressure from Google, Apple, and evolving regulations served as a catalyst for modernization that could shape the next decade of advertising technology. An industry anchored in product innovation AdTech is a fundamentally product-driven industry defined by short innovation cycles and the imperative to build and test rapidly. This DNA enables companies to stay resilient, evolve and deliver innovation. Change is good. Disruption can be even better – but only for those who embrace it. Google’s evolving stance on cookies and Privacy Sandbox doesn’t negate what’s been learned. If anything, it underscores the need to keep innovating. The next wave of disruption is likely right around the corner. The payoff While some may argue that the time and effort spent preparing for cookie loss was wasted, those efforts have functioned as a forcing mechanism for several innovations in data activation. Supply-side data activation and optimization, aka “curation,” is an alternative to the traditional approach to data activation. Unlike the traditional data management platform (DMP) to demand-side platform (DSP) activation flow, curation allows buyers to utilize supply-path data more directly. The upshot? Improved performance and pricing for media agencies and brand advertisers. As curation continues to evolve, it’s poised to play a central role in how advertisers and publishers transact. Real-time data enrichment is another area that has benefited from this period of accelerated innovation. Many companies were compelled to improve their tech stacks to align with Sandbox protocols.  These updates, particularly in real-time data enrichment capabilities, are now laying the groundwork for future data activation strategies across both the buy and sell-sides. Exiting out of tunnel vision Over the past five years, the AdTech industry has invested deeply in planning for a future without cookies. Still those investments have been well worth it. While cookies are not going away, the broader deprecation of signal continues. The work that was done to prepare will inevitably inform the next evolution of our industry. Contact us Latest posts

Jun 16,2025 by Drew Stein, Audigent Managing Director, Experian

Subscribe to our newsletter

Enter your name and email for the latest updates

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

About Experian Marketing Services

At Experian Marketing Services, we use data and insights to help brands have more meaningful interactions with people. As leaders in the evolution of the advertising landscape, Experian Marketing Services can help you identify your customers and the right potential customers, uncover the most appropriate communication channels, develop messages that resonate, and measure the effectiveness of marketing activities and campaigns.

Visit our website

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest industry news and receive expert tips from our marketing experts.
Subscribe now!