The holiday retail season comes sooner than you think. Retailers everywhere have to prepare for the high-traffic months ahead. Below are some great quick tips for preparing for the holiday retail season.
Make a Plan for Sales Success
November 1 marks the start of the holiday shopping season, so now is the time to start preparing for the holiday retail season. Decide which promotions you wish to do for the holidays. Coupons, raffles, and special events are great ways to get your store traffic. Make sure advertisements are not confusing or a burden to the customer. The last thing you want is for customers to become frustrated or turned off because they didn’t understand the process. Remember, word-of-mouth marketing is one of your most powerful assets. Make sure your customers leave your store as raving fans.
Give Everything You Got on Retail Strategy, Display Ideas, and More
Put all of your available stock out on the sales floor. However, no one likes to shop in an unorganized, cluttered store. Order additional shelving units, free-standing racks, dump displays, and impulse tables to keep things neat and organized. Having attractive displays also increases sales. Place displays or fixtures with your newest items at the front of the store, then your sale items, and then any clearance toward the rear of the shop.
Expert Tip on Round Display Racks
Use a round display rack that can hold a variety of new stock. Place these racks at the front of the store so anyone entering will see this merchandise. Because most customers like to buy what they can easily touch and see, round racks allow them to browse quickly through merchandise and make selections.
Make Your Store Stand Out From the Others
Create eye-catching and impressive window displays using bold signage and bright colors to attract foot traffic to your shop. Also, decorate the inside of your store for the holidays. Make it fun and exciting. Both of these efforts will put everyone in the holiday shopping spirit; capture what your store is about and decorate with that in mind.
Get the Word Out
Let it spread like wildfire and get the word out that you have a holiday sale or deal coming up. Use your social media accounts, email lists, and other paid advertising to announce upcoming sales. Make sure that everything you put out is visually pleasing, simple in design, and doesn’t try to convey too much information. Always, always, always end your messages with an explicit but subtle call to action: what exactly do you want the customer to do once they’ve seen your ad, email, or post? Always remind them when, how, and why they should contact you. The last thing you want to do is confuse the customer, so keep everything simple.
Make Your Store A Memorable Customer Experience
Set yourself apart from the competition by offering to gift-wrap purchases. Customers love to feel special and will appreciate this time-saving benefit. Decide if you’d like to offer this as a free service (who doesn’t like Free?) or for a small fee. If you offer gift wrapping, ensure your staff is up for the challenge and that it doesn’t consume too much of everyone’s time.
Don’t Get Caught Short
Gift cards are an increasingly popular holiday gift option. Retail experts estimate that 50% of all gift cards purchased go unredeemed, so gift cards are like money in your pocket. Stock your store with gift certificates, gift cards, holders, holiday bags, wraps, and ribbons. Also, ensure you have the right gift card displays to showcase these items and adequate signage so customers can quickly locate them.
The Right People Can Make All the Difference
This is especially true during the holiday season. First, hire an adequate number of holiday staff. Keeping customers waiting for help or in long checkout lines increases the likelihood they might leave the store without purchasing. When hiring, look for people who will represent your business in the best possible way. Customers always remember rude and unhelpful employees. Most importantly, ensure they’re well-trained and cross-train them to handle other functions so they can step in during busy times.
No One Likes A Scrooge
Always have holiday music playing in your store. Music is important in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your store. Your music should not be too loud or overpowering; keep it soft and subtle. Pleasant scents have also been proven to put shoppers in a better mood, so consider adding cinnamon or evergreen scents to the air during this time.
Summary
Get a jump on the rush. Order all of your holiday stock and fixtures now so you’re ready for the start of the holiday season. Not sure of what you need? Call an expert! We’re here to help – Call us today at 800-999-0771 or Visit us at SpecialtyStoreServices.com and let a Specialty Store Services representative go over your options and make suggestions. It’s just that easy.