How to create retail sales opportunities in long holidays

Long holidays always bring us a lot of joy, since we can take this time off to relax. On the other hand, for retailers, these dates may have another meaning: typically, they represent a fall on monthly sales simply because customers end up using their free time for resting or traveling instead of shopping.

But even with the reduction on the number of customers in stores in those periods, some retailers may take advantages of that so not to miss any chances in these economically troubled times.

Here is how some retail business segments can benefit with holidays: 

Fashion & Accessories

How about offering products that reminds us of the holiday? If it is beach fashion or similar, offering beach apparels or sets of accessories such as hats and sunglasses is a good choice. If the idea is trekking or the countryside, promote adventurous spirit by marketing mountain or camping kits. Another way to attract customers is to promote attractive “pre-holiday” offers (or during holidays if your store is open during those dates).

With a massive advertising showing benefits, this offer will, as well as increasing sales, make sure the store is known for new customers who won’t be out on long holidays, but will take some time to stroll around and visit some local shops. And what if you took this time for a last minute stock clearance sale?

See Linx solutions for clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry and optical shops

Food Service / Eating out

During holidays resting is paramount for most people, so eating out is also considered one of the most widespread activities. Whether on the coastal areas or parks and malls, eating out is the “main course” during holidays.

Create benefits for restaurant reservations or give away exclusive offers for relevant dates so that to encourage the customers to choose your establishment over others. Combos with the date name or a name reminding the holiday can be a path to success.

Meet Linx solutions for bars and restaurants and fast food and snack bar chains

Spas 

How about offering comfort and relaxation in extended periods of time? Spas are the target of Brazilian travelers on special dates. With a well-developed advertising campaign and a package of special activities for every holiday, there is no way to resist to relaxing and spa packages.

Beauty salons

The dates preceding holidays seasons are when beauty salons are fully booked up, after all, everybody wants to be neat for going out, visiting their relatives, or celebrate some important event. Create promotional actions to avoid last-minute schedules, ensuring increased sales even before the extended holiday. Offer packages for more than one holiday and a loyalty program, establishing a bond with your patrons so that they return again and again.

See how to increase Spas and Beauty salons profitability  

Service stations and Convenience stores 

As with car shops, stopping at a gas station for oil change or filling up the tank before traveling is indeed almost an obligation. Use convenience store as a way to attract customers to increase average volume of sales with offerings geared to leisure, such as ice, drinks and charcoal for barbecue, or gifts related to holidays, as thermal bags or even partnerships offering discounts on hostels and hotels rates.

Know how Linx Management Systems for service stations and convenience stores work 
Boost E-commerce sales 

Another important tip that applies to several retail segments is multichannel strategy. Offering alternatives to physical point of sale, e.g. E-commerce, is a way to keep sales high even in long holidays. After all, the Web doors are always open.

For those stores with Web presence, selecting a strong digital strategy in these periods helps keep sales high, thus compensating losses by the physical store. Stimulate consumers to know new products, offer alternatives for purchase or discounts. Promote mega offers for holiday dates only and take the chance to let inventory go.

Stimulate businesses before holidays

2016 has a few holidays falling on Wednesday, which means less extended weekend and, consequently, more consumers stay at home to increase the number of people willing to travel or going to the malls and local parks. Regardless of the date, a tip for those stores that not open during these dates is to create actions that encourage consumers to buy more before the holiday.

Planning

Creating a proposed calendar for National holidays is very advantageous – it allows each retailer to plan their actions accordingly, calculating costs and benefits, as well as ensuring that each plan is correctly planned and performed. With a good strategy and benefits management on those dates, the results may be surprising to retailers.