It’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday shopping season. As a small business owner, chances are you’ve been gearing up for the annual post-Thanksgiving surge in consumer spending. And you’re not alone: Recent research suggests the overwhelming majority of independently owned businesses attribute more than a quarter of their annual sales to holiday shopping. Make sure this holiday shopping season is the most wonderful time of the year by following these tips from the SBA.
- Extend your hours. Opening earlier and closing later could help you maximize sales during what will likely be the busiest time of year for your business.
- Have a team meeting. First and foremost, thank your staff and show appreciation for the work they have done and the work they will do during the season ahead. Take the opportunity to remind them to provide excellent customer service by greeting each shopper when they enter and exit your business.
- Prepare for crowds. Speaking of shoppers — you’ll probably have more of them than usual. That makes stocking up on inventory a must. Reviewing last year’s orders and sales figures can give you an accurate picture of the supplies you’ll need. It can also help you determine whether hiring seasonal employees is warranted.
- Get into the spirit. For businesses with a brick-and-mortar location, decorating is the easiest way to create a fun and inviting holiday atmosphere. Transform your storefront, use holiday-themed signage, and play music to bring the cheer to your customers as they shop.
- Host an event. Once you’ve decked the halls of your business, plan an event so that patrons can enjoy your space. Organize an in-store activity that puts your products or services on display. Small Business Saturday, which takes place on November 30, is the perfect time. Pro tip: Use refreshments and promotional items to draw shoppers in.
- Spruce up your social media, too. Impart a little flair to your brand by making your profile pictures, banners, and posts more festive. You can also use your channels to promote special deals and encourage shoppers to tag your business.
- Update your online information. What you offer, where you’re located, how you can be contacted — all these things should be abundantly clear to prospective customers. Make necessary updates to your website and review sites accordingly.
- Team up with another business. The holidays are a time of goodwill. Why not reach out to other small businesses in your area to see how you can partner up? Doing so can boost your sales and brand visibility.
- Promote gift cards. 64% of U.S. consumers purchase gift cards as holiday gifts. That should be all the reason you need to put them front and center of your holiday marketing strategy.
- Plan for next year early. Once the holiday shopping season is over, take a step back to measure your successes and opportunities. What worked? What didn’t? A thoughtful evaluation can help you build on your game plan for next year.
‘Tis the season to make your sales strategy holiday ready, and SBA resource partners can help. Learn more by visiting sba.gov/local-assistance.