The holidays are a busy time for everyone, and an even bigger opportunity for small businesses to add to their profits as well as their customer base. Incentives to shop at your store, getting people through the door, letting people know what your store has to offer, and having a staff who know what they are doing all will help to give your store a boost for the holidays. Whether the holidays are typically not busy for your store or business, or you would simply like to increase your profit margin, these few tips are sure to help accomplish your goals this holiday season.
Giveaways, Incentives, and Discounts
Giveaways are a great way to draw in new business, as many people are willing to try out a new store for the chance to win something. It doesn’t matter whether that chance is for a store gift card, the latest gadget, or just a free apple cider and hot chocolate when entering the store. Incentives to buy more from your store can draw in business too, for example, buying two of an item and getting a third one of lesser value free. Discounts add a significant feeling of savings, for instance, a 10 percent off $100 or more, 15 percent of $150 or more, etc.
Get in the Holiday Spirit
Everyone loves holiday decorations, so do not forget to dress up the store for the holidays! Bright colors and decorations are an automatic draw for those casual shoppers who are out looking to see what everyone has to offer. Let’s not forget an emotional connection increases the likelihood of a sale that comes with holiday decorating. The same business logic that positions gift shops immediately outside of the exit of theme park rides applies in the same way to the holiday spirit and shopping mood.
Good Marketing
Don’t assume that your customers know what sales and discounts you offer during the holiday season; make sure there’s no way they could miss the deals you’re offering! Flyers, newspaper advertisements, radio and television commercials, and social media are a few easy ways to help earn foot traffic to your business, so be sure to market early and often this holiday season.
Staff Properly
The one sure fire way to lose future business from a customer is making them wait in line for a long time before checking out. Customers want to be able to get in and out as quickly and easily as possible, so make sure that you have enough employees to keep things running smoothly. Happy customers equal repeat or even frequent business.
Feed the Shoppers
What better way to shop then to eat while you shop? If your store doesn’t normally offer food, having taste stands for shoppers to sample items from local eatery can be a mutual benefit – shoppers who are not hungry tend to spend more time in store than shoppers are thinking about eating. Even just a simple meat and cheese sample station is sure to add a few minutes to each shoppers visit to your store. The more time they spend in your store, the more likely they are to buy something or spend more.
Justin writes business tips and how-to start and market a business on behalf of Kwikkerb. He also provides information on the Kwikkerb business opportunity.
Here’s a video from Greatland Corporation with some more tips on Holiday Business. Happy Holidays and Great New Year to you!
Marty Huggins
