What should a café or shop in Saudi Arabia promote each month of the year?
A Saudi marketing calendar for cafés and shops plans 12 months ahead: Founding Day on 22 February, Ramadan’s after-iftar nights, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, summer evenings, back to school, National Day on 23 September, Riyadh Season and winter, plus every weekend. Match each season with a game theme and reward the next visit instead of cutting today’s bill, so the offer brings people back without eating your margin.
Why plan a calendar instead of last-minute offers?
Short answer: Saudi seasons are predictable, and the shop that prepares two weeks early takes customers from the one that remembers on the night before Eid. Design, printing, game setup and cashier training all take time.
Two things to watch. Hijri seasons (Ramadan and both Eids) move about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year, so never copy last year’s dates; check the official calendar. National seasons are fixed: Founding Day on 22 February and National Day on 23 September. In 2027, Founding Day is expected to fall inside Ramadan, so plan one combined offer rather than two competing ones.
The 12-month Saudi calendar at a glance
Use this as a framework for cafés, restaurants and retail. Hijri dates are approximate and shift every year, so confirm them before printing.
| Period | Occasion | Game theme | Margin-safe offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Mid-winter, Riyadh Season | Winter | Free hot drink on the next visit with any two orders |
| 22 February | Founding Day | Brand kit in heritage colours | Saudi coffee and dates with the order, not a bill discount |
| Ramadan (moves) | After-iftar nights and suhoor | Ramadan | Suhoor gift for the next visit, daily game after taraweeh |
| End of Ramadan | Eid al-Fitr | Eid | Gift cards as eidiya, free sweets box above a set amount |
| Dhul Hijjah (moves) | Eid al-Adha | Eid | Family bundles for guests, reward valid after the holiday |
| June – August | Summer holidays | Summer | Happy hours in the quiet midday, a late-night reward |
| Late August | Back to school | School / Kids | Morning offer for parents, "buy 9, the 10th is free" card |
| 23 September | National Day | Football or green brand kit | Limited green item, small prizes instead of a blanket discount |
| October – December | Riyadh Season, winter events | Winter / Neon | QR on receipts for event visitors, second-visit reward |
| Every week | Thursday to Saturday | Seasonal | Rewards redeemable on weekdays to fill quiet days |
How do you design a seasonal offer that protects margin?
Answer: reward the next visit rather than discounting this one, and choose gifts that cost you little but feel valuable to the customer.
Simple rules for seasonal offers
- A gift usually beats a discount: an extra coffee costs you less than 20 SAR off the bill
- Make rewards valid on the next visit, ideally on weekdays, to fill quiet times
- Fix quantities in advance: say 50 big prizes for the whole season, the rest small ones
- One clear offer per season that both cashier and customer understand
- Run the example: with a 40 SAR average bill and a 4 SAR gift cost, you pay little for a full extra visit
When do you need a permit?
Discounts, competitions and promotional draws may require a licence from the Ministry of Commerce in Saudi Arabia. Rules change, so check the current requirements or ask a specialist before launching, especially if the offer advertises a percentage discount or includes a prize draw.
What works in Ramadan and the two Eids?
Answer: in Ramadan the peak moves to after iftar and runs to suhoor, so your whole offer should live in those hours. Run a Ramadan-themed game that opens after taraweeh and reward players with a suhoor gift on their next visit. More ideas in Ramadan marketing ideas for cafés and restaurants.
At Eid people switch to gifting and family visits. Sell gift cards as eidiya, plus sweets and coffee boxes for guests. Around Eid al-Adha many families travel or visit relatives, so make the Eid reward valid after they come back.
How do you use National Day and Founding Day without copying everyone?
Answer: instead of the same percentage discount everyone runs, offer an experience: a Football-themed or green game, a limited-edition green item, and small prizes such as a free drink or dessert on the next visit. You join the celebration and keep your margin.
Founding Day suits a heritage feel: Saudi coffee, dates, traditional dress in your photos. Official emblems and flags have usage rules in advertising, so use general colours and design elements rather than official logos.
Summer, Riyadh Season and weekends
Answer: Saudi summer means quiet, hot afternoons and busy nights, so use offers to fill midday and reward late visits. In Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam people go out after Isha, so your promo screen and games should run until closing.
Riyadh Season and winter events bring visitors who do not know you yet. Print a QR code on the receipt and the bag so they play and win a reward for a second visit, turning a passer-by into a customer. And every weekend, make prizes redeemable on weekdays to spread the crowd. See also how to fill slow days and dead hours.
How do you run seasonal campaigns with Dawwerni?
Answer: you change the theme, the mechanics stay the same. The customer scans a QR code on the table, counter or screen with the phone camera, with no app, plays a short game in the season’s theme (Ramadan, Eid, Football, Summer, Winter, School), and wins a reward valid on the next visit.
After the game they are invited, optionally, to follow your Instagram and leave an honest Google review. The reward never depends on the review, and everyone is asked the same way. The profile goes into your own customer base, so you can send next season’s offer directly, and the AI copywriter drafts the message in Gulf Arabic or English.
It fits cafés and coffee shops and retail shops. Prices are on the Dawwerni Saudi Arabia page: 750 SAR per year for Standard and 900 SAR for Premium, with a 7-day trial.
Two-week checklist before every season
- Confirm the season’s actual date in the official calendar
- Pick one clear offer that rewards the next visit
- Fix prize quantities and costs before launch
- Check whether the offer or draw needs a Ministry of Commerce licence
- Switch the game theme and print fresh QR stickers for tables and window
- Train the cashier on one sentence said to every customer
- After the season: review returning customers and prize costs, note lessons for next year
FAQ
When should I start preparing Ramadan offers?
Three to four weeks before: choose the offer, set up the Ramadan-themed game and print materials. Remember Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, so check the expected date.
Do I need a licence for a National Day promotion?
Discounts and promotional competitions may need a Ministry of Commerce licence. Requirements change, so check them or ask a specialist before you announce the offer.
Is a discount better than a gift during seasons?
Usually not. A small gift valid on the next visit costs less and brings the customer back, while a direct discount cuts your margin on a sale you would have made anyway.
Can I tie an Eid gift to a Google review?
No. Google’s policy does not allow it. The gift rewards the visit, purchase or play; the review is an optional invitation made to every customer the same way.
Which seasonal themes does Dawwerni offer?
They include Ramadan, Eid, Summer, Winter, Football, School, Kids, Neon, Luxury gold, Coffee, Minimal and a brand kit in your own colours.
Turn visits into reviews, repeat visits and sales
Try Dawwerni free for 7 days. Setup takes about 10 minutes.