December is notoriously the busiest month of the year for businesses in the UK.
The lead-up to the festive season is by far the most lucrative period for retail stores, with recent reports revealing that clothing stores and second-hand charity shops are seeing their highest sales since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
In this article, we share our top tips on how retailers can prepare for the Christmas rush in the last couple of weeks before the big day.
Use Promotional Banners
Half the battle during this chaotic time is enticing Christmas shoppers off the streets and into your store. One of the best ways to do this is by putting up signs outside your shop, or placing banners in your window to advertise promotions that you’re currently offering. This is a tried and tested way to tempt customers to come and see for themselves what products you have available.
Christmas Decorations
At this time of year, the more festive your shop window looks, the more inviting it feels to potential customers. The use of tinsel and glowing Christmas lights can instantly make your store feel more welcoming. Not only will shoppers be drawn in by this, but it also helps you to stand out against competitors. Why not invest in some festive décor this December and see if it helps to boost sales further?
Order Extra Stock
Due to the traditional high demand at Christmas time, it’s a wise idea to stock up on your most popular items in order to maximise your December sales. Not only will you increase your profit margins, but you won’t have any disappointed customers who have to walk away empty-handed.
Social Media Ads
If you have room within your marketing budget, social media ads can be a great way to spread brand awareness and get your name out there. This is particularly useful if your store is a relatively new venture that many people may not have heard of yet. Paid ads allow you to reach specific demographics within your audience, allowing you to target people by the likes of their age, gender and location. You can create these on any social platform such as Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Arrange Holiday Rotas Accordingly
Christmas and New Year is the one period where workers tend to all want to take some annual leave at the same time. Be sure to carefully organise your festive rotas so that there will always be staff available to work on the days your store is scheduled to be open.
