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January is . . . Book Month, Bread Machine Baking Month, Diet Month, Egg Month, National Candy Month, National Hot Tea Month, National Meat Month, National Oatmeal Month, National Soup Month and National Wheat Bread Month.

1. New Year’s Day
2. Display signage outlining the Mediterranean Diet and other healthful lifestyles for Diet Month.
3. Reconfirm flights to San Diego for the Winter Fancy Food Show.
4. Begin planning a Post-Holiday Blowout Sale.
5. The Philadelphia Candy Show opens in Atlantic City; Philadelphia Gift Show opens in Philly.
6. Build a display of bread machines with cookbooks to celebrate both Bread Machine Baking Month and National Wheat Bread Month.
7. Schedule a series of cooking classes on stews, casseroles and other savory wintertime comfort foods.
8. Elvis Presley’s Birthday. Sample the King’s favorite late-night snack, fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
9. Today is National Apricot Day. Set up an informative display touting this tasty fruit as one of the best natural sources of vitamin A.
10. In honor of Egg Month, hold specials in the Deli on everyone’s favorite sandwich stuffer, egg salad.
11. Merchandise soup pots, ladles and ingredients for National Soup Month.
12. Plan to conduct a series of international promotions throughout the year, i.e., Spain, Italy, Greece and France.
13. The Winter Fancy Food Show commences in San Diego.
14. Valentine’s Day is one month away. Make sure all orders are in place, especially where imported chocolates are concerned.
15. In honor of Pizza Week, build a display of all your pizza-making equipment and ingredients.
16. Dallas Intl. Gift & Home Accessories Market begins today.
17. Serve hot gourmet oatmeal to shoppers this month for National Oatmeal Month. Spruce up the sampling with dried fruits, nuts and fresh maple syrup as tasty toppings.
18. Sample from a display of hot sauces and salsas to perk up the cold winter days.
19. National Popcorn Day. Invite kids in for popcorn popping demos and tastings of your favorite brands.
20. For National Cheese Lover’s Day, offer all cheeses for 10% off and, of course, rev up the sampling.
21. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
22. Set up a storewide cookbook promotion for Book Month.
23. Hold a Winter Pie-Baking Class in honor of National Pie Day.
24. It’s cold outside. Warm up your customers and your tea sales by setting up a series of tea displays and tastings for National Hot Tea Month.
25. Hold a buyer meeting to discuss findings at the Fancy Food Show.
26. The Orlando Gift Show starts today.
27. Super Bowl XLII is one week from today (Feb. 3). Make sure your stock is in order.
28. Plan and organize your spring cleaning for the store.
29. Today is Common Sense Day. Post signage throughout the store with wise sayings and ideas for living a healthy lifestyle.
30. Serve up croissants and café au lait for a mid-week breakfast treat in honor of National Croissant Day.
31. New York Gift Week at 7 W begins.
For a complete Trade Show Calendar, visit www.gourmetretailer.com.
Source: Chase’s 2008 Calendar of Events