Sample:
Christmas is on a Saturday!
Comments:
- Christmas landing on a Saturday will be a challenge to the best of merchants! I assume you are one of the best. Most shoppers will try to wrap up their purchases on the last Saturday and or Sunday before the holiday. The 5 weekdays leading up to Christmas will not have the punch that a Saturday just before Christmas would have. You can count on the last 5 days being filled more with last minute shoppers, guys, buying gift wrap and candy. Make sure you have what they need and make it easy to find!
- If you haven’t already, then post your staff schedule now! Stagger the times when employees are to come in and leave. Decide today if you are going to be open on Sunday. You can bet the big box stores will be open on Sunday and unless you have no large store competition, you may want to treat yourself and your employees to a Sunday off. The big box boys will open early and close late on Sunday. For the most part they will own Sunday’s sales. Don’t knock yourself out over this.
- The last few years have showed significant shopping trends. Industry pundits are predicting 1 out of every 3 gifts will be technology related! On the other end of the spectrum, oddly enough women’s handbags are expected to show an increase in sales!? In the trim a tree line, LED lights are now taken over the illumination category. Online shopping continues to surge.
Everyone loves to decorate, no one loves to clean. Maintain a clean store first, and then decorate.
Review your holiday order deadlines and delivery schedules from all vendors and suppliers!
Bring out your holiday inventory carried over from previous years. It’s probably junk. If it didn’t sell in the last one or two years, discount it now! This year, do not pack up old merchandise! It costs 15% every time you pack it up and store it for next year.
Keep the aisles clear of clutter! Keep an eye out for floor displays that may be plugging the aisles.
Sadly, “Tis the Season to Steal”. Boost your security and awareness. Review with your staff what your policy is for apprehending a shoplifter and what to do in case of a robbery. Tip: There are a few bad apples out there, check your trash on a regular basis. An employee may throw a few things away that shouldn’t end up in the trash and will be picked up by someone other than the trash collector.
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